Critical Metals Tanbreez Acquisition Consolidates Greenland Rare Earth Control

Critical Metals

Critical Metals Tanbreez acquisition will give the US critical minerals developer full ownership of one of Greenland’s most closely watched rare earth projects. The company has agreed to acquire Australian mining firm European Lithium in an all-stock deal valued at $835mn.

The Critical Metals Tanbreez acquisition is designed to consolidate ownership of the Tanbreez rare earth project, where European Lithium currently holds a 7.5% stake. Completion of the transaction would give Critical Metals 100% ownership.

The Critical Metals Tanbreez acquisition strengthens the company’s position in the race to build rare earth supply chains outside China. Greenland is becoming strategically important because western governments and manufacturers want new sources of rare earth concentrate tied to secure processing and offtake routes.

European Lithium shareholders would receive 0.035 Critical Metals shares for each European Lithium share under the letter of intent. The proposed transaction is expected to close in the second half of 2026.

Tanbreez Ownership Supports Mine-to-Market Strategy

Full ownership of Tanbreez would give Critical Metals greater control over project development, financing, offtake and downstream strategy. This matters because rare earth projects often struggle when ownership, processing and customer structures are fragmented.

Critical Metals plans to invest $30mn to fast-track development of Tanbreez. That investment signals an effort to move the project beyond resource positioning and toward a more commercial supply-chain role.

Tanbreez could become an important source of rare earth concentrate for non-China buyers. However, concentrate alone is not enough to secure the rare earth value chain. Material must still be separated, refined, converted into metals or alloys, and qualified by downstream users.

The company’s offtake agreements provide early commercial direction. Critical Metals has an agreement with Ucore Rare Earths for as much as 10,000 t/yr of rare earth concentrate and another with REalloy for 15% of Tanbreez’s annual output.

These agreements help anchor future sales channels. They also show that buyers are willing to secure upstream access before full project development is complete.

Saudi Processing Plan Adds Downstream Dimension

Critical Metals also plans to form a joint venture in Saudi Arabia to build a rare earth processing facility. This is strategically important because processing capacity remains the key bottleneck in ex-China rare earth supply chains.

A Greenland-to-Saudi processing route would add a new geopolitical configuration to the rare earth market. It would connect western-controlled resources with Middle Eastern industrial investment and processing ambitions.

Saudi Arabia has been seeking a larger role in critical minerals, downstream processing and industrial diversification. A rare earth processing venture would fit that strategy while giving Critical Metals another route to move beyond concentrate sales.

For global rare earth buyers, the key issue will be reliability. They need traceable feedstock, qualified processing, stable offtake and predictable geopolitical access.

The transaction also reflects a wider industry trend. Rare earth companies are consolidating ownership and building downstream partnerships because customers no longer want isolated mining assets. They want integrated supply chains that can deliver usable material.

Critical Metals’ strategy is therefore not only about acquiring European Lithium. It is about controlling Tanbreez, securing offtake, adding processing optionality and positioning the project as part of an ex-China rare earth supply network.

The Metalnomist Commentary

The Critical Metals Tanbreez acquisition shows that rare earth strategy is shifting from exploration ownership to full supply-chain control. The real test will be whether Greenland feedstock, Saudi processing and offtake agreements can become a bankable alternative to China-dominated rare earth flows.

Critical Metals Saudi rare earth processing facility targets a $1.5bn mine-to-processing JV

Critical Metals

Critical Metals Saudi rare earth processing facility plans take shape through a new joint venture. The company signed a non-binding term sheet with Saudi group TQB for a 50-50 venture. The partners target an integrated mine-to-processing build valued at up to $1.5bn.

Deal structure links Tanbreez feedstock to Saudi processing

The deal reserves a life-of-mine offtake for 25% of Tanbreez concentrate from Greenland. However, the term sheet leaves volumes and commissioning timelines open for final agreements. Meanwhile, TQB brings Saudi execution capacity across manufacturing, infrastructure, and strategic materials.

Critical Metals Saudi rare earth processing facility would complete Tanbreez allocation under long-term contracts. The company also signed an offtake with Ucore for up to 10,000 t/yr of concentrate. It also committed 15% of annual output to REalloy, as it targets 75,000 t/yr of total production.

US defense demand shapes the downstream strategy

The partnership routes finished rare earth materials to the US for defense-sector use. Therefore, the JV frames Saudi processing as a friendly-node step in a wider allied supply chain. This structure can appeal to buyers seeking traceability and diversified separation outside China.

Critical Metals Saudi rare earth processing facility arrives as gallium and rare earth controls reshape industrial planning. As a result, developers now bundle offtake, processing, and finance to de-risk first-of-kind projects. However, success will depend on permitting, metallurgy, and bankable project terms beyond the term sheet.

The Metalnomist Commentary

This JV signals a shift from raw concentrate deals toward controlled, geopolitically aligned processing capacity. Meanwhile, full allocation of Tanbreez output raises execution pressure to deliver consistent quality at scale. If timelines slip, customers may still pay premiums for diversified supply, but they will demand stronger guarantees.

US-made rare earth magnets shipped as eVAC reshoring milestone

eVAC

US-made rare earth magnets reached the commercial market as eVAC shipped its first batch from Sumter, South Carolina. The shipment marks a visible step in US efforts to reshore permanent magnet production. Therefore, US-made rare earth magnets now move from policy ambition to delivered product.

eVAC said the delivery represents the first commercial rare earth magnet production in the US. However, the company did not disclose shipment volumes. Meanwhile, customers in EVs, wind, and industrial motors keep pushing demand for stable neodymium supply.

Sumter South Carolina magnet plant scales fast toward 2026 output

The Sumter South Carolina magnet plant is ramping toward 2,000 metric tonnes per year by the first quarter of 2026. eVAC also plans to expand to six times that level in later phases. As a result, the Sumter South Carolina magnet plant could become a cornerstone supplier for North American manufacturing.

eVAC operates as a subsidiary of Germany’s Vacuumschmelze. That ownership adds technical depth and process know-how for high-performance magnet production. Meanwhile, US buyers value local manufacturing for lead-time and security benefits.

eVAC neodymium iron boron magnets link upstream feedstock to US demand

eVAC neodymium iron boron magnets rely on rare earth feedstock from MP Materials. MP supplies neodymium-praseodymium materials sourced from the Mountain Pass mine in California. Therefore, eVAC neodymium iron boron magnets connect US mining and processing to downstream magnet assembly.

eVAC also points to additional supplier partnerships, including Ucore and Aclara, to support expansion. However, qualification cycles and consistent feedstock specifications will still shape ramp speed. As a result, the reshoring narrative will depend on repeatable volumes and customer approvals.

The Metalnomist Commentary

This shipment matters because magnets sit at the chokepoint of electrification supply chains. However, real resilience requires scale, multiple qualified feed sources, and stable pricing. Therefore, eVAC’s 2026 ramp will become the true stress test for US-made rare earth magnets.

upply to VAC supports US magnet manufacturing

Ucore rare earth

Ucore rare earth supply to VAC will underpin a new US magnet manufacturing hub in South Carolina. The Ucore rare earth supply to VAC centres on separated oxides from Ucore’s Louisiana and Ontario facilities for eVAC’s Sumter County plant. As a result, the Ucore rare earth supply to VAC strengthens a non-Chinese supply chain for critical magnet materials.

Building a North American rare earth magnet value chain

Ucore will supply neodymium, praseodymium, terbium, dysprosium, samarium and gadolinium oxides to VAC and its subsidiary eVAC. These separated rare earth oxides will feed eVAC’s new permanent magnet facility in Sumter County, South Carolina. The plant targets high-performance magnet demand from EVs, wind turbines and defense systems.

The deal leverages Ucore’s planned Louisiana Strategic Metals Complex and its Commercial Demonstration Facility in Ontario. These assets aim to become key separation hubs for non-Chinese mixed rare earth concentrates. VAC, a leading German magnet producer, gains secure North American feedstock close to downstream customers.

Feedstock security through diversified offtake agreements

Ucore has been assembling a diversified pipeline of rare earth feedstock ahead of Louisiana SMC commissioning. It previously signed an agreement with Australia’s Metallium to potentially secure mixed rare earth concentrate. Ucore also has a non-binding offtake with US developer Critical Metals for 10,000 t/yr of rare earth concentrate.

These arrangements reduce single-source risk and improve resilience against geopolitical disruptions. Meanwhile, VAC’s US investment aligns with government efforts to localise permanent magnet production for EV and defense supply chains. Both parties now have nine months to finalise long-term commercial terms, including volumes, pricing structures and potential take-or-pay elements.

The Metalnomist Commentary

This Ucore–VAC alignment is a textbook example of how midstream separation and downstream magnet capacity are finally linking up in North America. The success of Louisiana SMC and eVAC’s Sumter County plant will be a key test of whether non-Chinese rare earth supply chains can scale fast enough to meet accelerating magnet demand.

Critical Metals rare earth offtake strengthens US magnet supply chain

REalloys

The new Critical Metals rare earth offtake with REalloys signals a decisive shift in North American magnet sourcing. Under the agreement, Critical Metals will allocate 15pc of its heavy and medium rare earth feedstock from the Tanbreez project in Greenland. The Critical Metals rare earth offtake could total up to 6.8mn t of concentrates over the multi-year term. This volume will give REalloys a steady pipeline of rare earth concentrates for downstream refining in the US. REalloys will process the feedstock at its Euclid, Ohio facility, which already supplies rare earth magnet materials and alloys into defence and industrial markets. The company is a supplier to the US Defense Logistics Agency, linking Tanbreez material directly to strategic US security needs. As a result, the Critical Metals rare earth offtake strengthens the emerging US effort to reduce dependence on Chinese rare earth supply.

US rare earth ecosystem deepens through multi-partner strategy

The agreement with REalloys comes on top of Critical Metals’ earlier deal with Canadian processor Ucore Rare Metals. That arrangement secures 10pc of Tanbreez rare earth feedstock for Ucore’s processing capacity. Together, these staged allocations show how Critical Metals is spreading Tanbreez output across multiple North American processors. This reduces single-buyer risk while helping regional refiners lock in secure feedstock. Meanwhile, both REalloys and Ucore can plan investments in separation, alloying and magnet metal capabilities with greater confidence. The Tanbreez deposit’s mix of heavy and medium rare earths is especially important for high-performan`ce magnets. These include defence platforms, electric vehicles, wind turbines and advanced industrial equipment where supply security is now a board-level concern. If project execution proceeds as planned, the Critical Metals rare earth offtake framework could become a reference model for future mine-to-magnet partnerships.

The Metalnomist Commentary

Critical Metals is quietly building a de-risked customer base even before Tanbreez reaches full production, which is a smart move in a volatile price environment. By locking in offtake with both REalloys and Ucore, the company positions Tanbreez as a backbone asset in a broader North American rare earths ecosystem rather than a standalone mine. The key questions now are project timing, permitting and capital discipline, all of which will determine how quickly this strategic feedstock can translate into real magnet capacity.

Metallium and Glencore e-waste recycling partnership targets critical metals

Metallium

The Metallium and Glencore e-waste recycling partnership signals a strategic shift in critical metals sourcing. Under the deal, Glencore will become a major supplier of e-waste feedstock to Metallium. The Texas facility is scheduled to start commercial operations in 2026, processing complex electronic scrap streams. This early alignment anchors volumes ahead of construction and underpins the Metallium and Glencore e-waste recycling partnership.

Flash joule heating and feedstock security

Metallium will use flash joule heating technology to recover metals from synthesized LED manufacturing scrap and other residues. The process rapidly heats feedstock in a controlled chlorine atmosphere, liberating valuable elements into saleable chlorides and hydroxides. Metallium reports successful recovery of gallium, antimony, indium and other critical metals using this proprietary route. Meanwhile, the Metallium and Glencore e-waste recycling partnership secures diverse feedstock streams and technical support for incoming materials. Glencore will offtake up to 75 percent of most output, excluding certain high-value metals and rare earths.

Implications for critical metals and recycling markets

The Metallium and Glencore e-waste recycling partnership aims to de-risk project financing and market access ahead of plant start-up. By locking in a major offtaker, Metallium can focus on scaling technology and optimising recoveries of premium metals. Excluding gallium, germanium, indium and rare earth elements from the Glencore contract preserves upside for direct marketing. In parallel, Metallium has signed feedstock and collaboration agreements with Ucore, expanding its North American ecosystem. The agreement currently runs to year-end, with an option to extend or renegotiate as volumes grow.

The Metalnomist Commentary

This partnership highlights how trading houses are pivoting into e-waste to secure future critical metals exposure. For recyclers, combining proprietary processing like flash joule heating with strategic offtake is becoming a de-risking blueprint. Investors should watch how quickly Metallium proves commercial yields, as that will shape future e-waste project valuations.

 

Ucore Metallium REE supply partnership advances US rare earth refining

Ucore Rare Metals

The Ucore Metallium REE supply partnership aims to anchor feedstock for a new US rare earth refinery. The Ucore Metallium REE supply partnership focuses on supplying Ucore’s planned Alexandria, Louisiana facility with reliable REE concentrates. As a result, the Ucore Metallium REE supply partnership strengthens North American efforts to build a non-Chinese rare earth value chain.

Ucore Metallium REE supply partnership targets flexible feedstock and new technology

The partnership will develop a modular US refining solution for varied rare earth feedstocks. Ucore and Metallium plan to process conventional concentrates and alternative materials such as magnet scrap and industrial waste. Therefore, the refinery should produce separated rare earth oxides from both primary and recycled sources.

Metallium contributes both exploration assets and metal recovery technology development. Its portfolio in Western Australia and Quebec is prospective for niobium, rare earths and gold. Meanwhile, Metallium holds exclusive rights to Flash Joule Heating technology from Rice University. Ucore intends to integrate this technology into its refining flowsheet to lower energy use and improve recoveries.

This technology driven approach supports higher-margin, lower-footprint REE separation. It also positions the refinery to handle evolving waste streams from magnets and other advanced materials. Over time, this flexibility could become a key differentiator in a crowded rare earth processing market.

Alexandria refinery funding and upstream REE supply building

The Alexandria refinery already has important policy and upstream backing. In May, Ucore secured an $18.4mn funding agreement from the US Department of Defense. This support underlines the strategic importance of domestic rare earth processing for defence and advanced manufacturing.

In August, Ucore signed a non-binding letter with Critical Metals for long term concentrate offtake. The agreement covers 10,000 metric tonnes per year of rare earth concentrate. Together with the Ucore Metallium REE supply partnership, this gives Ucore multiple feedstock options. Therefore, the company reduces its dependence on any single mine or jurisdiction.

As the refinery advances, Ucore will need to demonstrate technical performance and commercial scale. However, the mix of DoD funding, multiple feedstock partners and novel processing technology offers a strong platform. It also aligns with broader US and allied policies to diversify rare earth supply chains away from China.

The Metalnomist Commentary

Ucore’s collaboration with Metallium shows how processing innovation and flexible feedstock strategies now sit at the heart of rare earth security. Flash Joule Heating plus magnet scrap recovery could help bridge the gap between limited Western mines and rising oxide demand. Market participants should watch pilot performance at Alexandria and how quickly Ucore converts non-binding offtakes into bankable contracts.

Ucore–Critical Metals REE Offtake Deal Signals North American Processing Push

Ucore

Ucore–Critical Metals REE offtake deal secures Greenland feedstock for Ucore’s US processing plans. The Ucore–Critical Metals REE offtake deal covers 10,000t/yr of rare earth concentrate. The Ucore–Critical Metals REE offtake deal runs for ten years and targets US magnet supply chains.

Long-term feedstock from Greenland to Louisiana

Ucore will receive 10,000t/yr of REE concentrate from Tanbreez. That equals about 10% of Tanbreez’s initial output. The non-binding LOI sets a ten-year term. Ucore plans conversion at its Strategic Metals Complex in Alexandria, Louisiana. The complex will produce separated rare earth oxides from mixed carbonates. Initial volumes will run through Ucore’s commercial demo facility in Kingston, Ontario. This staged ramp reduces technical and logistics risk.

Financing, permitting, and industrial context

The Louisiana plant broke ground in May with federal and state backing. US DoD funding totals $18.4mn. Additional state support underpins site development. The agreement diversifies feedstock away from China-centric processing. Therefore, the deal aligns with US critical minerals policy. It also advances a North American heavy and light rare earth pathway. Timing still depends on Tanbreez’s execution and shipping cadence.

Ucore positions the complex as a mid-stream anchor. Meanwhile, OEMs seek reliable NdPr, Dy, and Tb oxide supply. Consistent feed should strengthen offtake terms downstream. As a result, magnet makers may gain qualification optionality in North America.

The Metalnomist Commentary

This LOI is strategically important, even if non-binding today. Watch for binding conversion, shipping schedules, and oxide qualification milestones. Execution at Tanbreez and Alexandria will determine real market impact.

MTM and Meteoric partner on rare earths processing technology

MTM Critical Metals

MTM brings Flash Joule Heating to Brazil’s Caldeira Project

Australian metal recovery firm MTM Critical Metals has partnered with Meteoric Resources to process mixed rare earth carbonate from the Caldeira Rare Earth Project in Brazil. The collaboration follows MTM’s successful proof-of-concept work using its Flash Joule Heating (FJH) process, which concentrates high-value rare earths such as neodymium, praseodymium, dysprosium, and terbium while separating out lower-value lanthanum and cerium.

The Caldeira Project in Minas Gerais is estimated to host 1.5bn tonnes of total rare earth oxides, making it one of the largest undeveloped resources globally. Meteoric already has a supply agreement with Ucore Rare Metals for at least 3,000 t/yr of neodymium, praseodymium, dysprosium, and terbium, positioning the project as a potential cornerstone of global magnet supply chains.

Broader applications of MTM’s processing technology

The FJH process represents a fast and easily deployable alternative to traditional solvent extraction, according to MTM. The company also employs the technology for the recovery of antimony and gallium, expanding its role in processing diverse critical minerals.

Meteoric’s involvement with MTM highlights Brazil’s growing importance in rare earths, as nations look to reduce dependence on Chinese exports. By combining innovative processing with large-scale resources, the partnership could redefine supply security for critical materials essential in electric vehicles, wind turbines, and defense applications.

The Metalnomist Commentary

The MTM–Meteoric partnership demonstrates how technology-led solutions are reshaping rare earths supply chains. If successful, the FJH process could become a scalable alternative to conventional separation, aligning with global efforts to secure diversified, lower-cost, and sustainable sources of rare earth materials.

Ucore Secures $18M DOD Grant to Expand U.S. Rare Earth Separation Plant

Ucore Rare Metals

Strategic Metals Complex to Process Key REEs by 2026

Ucore Rare Metals has received $18.4 million from the U.S. Department of Defense to expand its rare earth separation plant in Louisiana, significantly advancing domestic REE processing capabilities. The Focus Keyphrase "Ucore rare earth separation plant" reflects the facility’s rising strategic value amid efforts to reduce U.S. dependence on Chinese supply chains.

This funding increases a previous $4 million agreement with the U.S. Army Contracting Command and will support Phase II development of the Louisiana Strategic Metals Complex (SMC) in Alexandria. The plant aims to commercially separate six critical rare earth elements — including neodymium, praseodymium, and dysprosium — all of which are vital for defense and clean energy technologies.

Kingston Prototype Expansion and Commercial Scale-Up

The DOD grant also backs the expansion of Ucore’s REE separation prototype facility in Kingston, Ontario, enhancing the company’s technical foundation for scaling commercial operations. Together, the Louisiana and Ontario sites will form an integrated North American rare earth supply chain.

Ucore’s SMC facility will process both light and heavy rare earth oxides at commercial volumes. These include materials used in permanent magnets for electric vehicles, wind turbines, and military applications. The company plans to begin construction and initial production in the second half of 2026.

Strengthening U.S. Rare Earth Independence

This investment demonstrates the U.S. government’s commitment to de-risking critical mineral supply chains, especially in response to China's tightening export controls on rare earths. Ucore’s project is one of the few in North America capable of separating multiple rare earth elements at commercial scale.

The development aligns with national defense priorities and the Inflation Reduction Act’s push to localize materials essential to the energy transition and strategic manufacturing.

The Metalnomist Commentary

Ucore’s rare earth separation plant, backed by the Department of Defense, signals a decisive step toward reshoring high-value critical mineral processing. With construction slated for 2026, the SMC could become a cornerstone of U.S. rare earth independence in an increasingly geopolitically charged market.

Western Rare Earth Projects Gear Up for 2025 Amid Growing Global Demand

Ucore Rare Metals

As the global demand for rare earth elements (REEs) escalates, largely driven by the burgeoning sectors of electric vehicles (EVs), wind turbines, and electronics, Western countries are intensifying their efforts to establish commercial-scale REE separation and processing capabilities outside China. With China currently dominating over 80% of the global REE refining market, Western initiatives are crucial in diversifying the supply chain and reducing dependency on Chinese exports.

Strategic Shifts in Rare Earth Processing

In response to China's recent bans on the export of RE extraction and separation technologies and key electronic metals to the US, Western governments and companies are pushing aggressively to develop alternative refining capacities. This includes the exploration of less polluting processes than the traditional solvent extraction methods prevalent in China. High-grade REE deposits in places like Northeast Wyoming are being developed by firms such as Wyoming Rare USA and Rare Element Resources, aiming to ramp up production over the next two years.

In addition to U.S. projects, Canada's Ucore Rare Metals recently received substantial DoD funding to advance REE separation at its RapidSX commercial demonstration facility in Ontario. This is part of a broader "friendshoring" strategy by the DoD, which also recognizes suppliers from Canada, Australia, and the UK as part of the domestic supply chain.

Expanding Western Production Capacities

Several U.S. facilities are already operational or are expanding their capacities to meet the increasing market demand. These include ReElement Technologies in Indiana, Rainbow Rare Earths in Florida, and Lynas in Texas. Notably, Phoenix Tailings in Massachusetts and Energy Fuels in Utah are also increasing their production volumes.

The expansion is not limited to North America. In Europe, projects like the expansion of Nd and NdPr processing at UK-based Less Common Metals and the new NdPr production facility by Solvay in France are underway. These efforts are complemented by plans for new production facilities in Norway and Sweden, aligning with Europe's strategic moves to boost its EV manufacturing and renewable energy sectors.

Australian Firm Meteoric Resources to Supply Rare Earths for U.S. Manufacturing

Meteoric Resources, an Australian Securities Exchange-listed company, announced today that it will supply 3,000 metric tonnes of rare earth oxide from its Caldeira project in Minas Gerais, Brazil, to Ucore Rare Metals, a Canadian firm. The rare earth oxides will be used at Ucore's new plant in Louisiana, marking a significant step in North America's efforts to secure critical minerals necessary for advanced manufacturing and technology.

The supply deal, formalized through a memorandum of understanding, also includes a provision for Meteoric to supply at least 3,000 metric tonnes per year of neodymium, praseodymium, terbium, and dysprosium. These rare earth elements are essential in the production of high-performance magnets used in electric vehicles, wind turbines, and various other high-tech applications.

Ucore Rare Metals plans to commence production at the Louisiana facility by the end of 2025, with full commercial operations expected to begin in the first half of 2026. This partnership is seen as a strategic move to bolster U.S. supply chains for critical materials, reducing dependence on Chinese imports, which currently dominate the global market.

Meteoric Resources has been actively expanding its presence in the rare earth sector. In addition to the Ucore deal, the company signed supply agreements with a Brazilian rare earth magnet facility in June and with Neo Performance Materials in May. These agreements position Meteoric as a key player in the global rare earth supply chain, particularly at a time when demand for these materials is expected to surge.

The collaboration between Meteoric and Ucore underscores the growing importance of securing reliable sources of rare earth elements, as countries and companies alike seek to mitigate risks associated with supply chain disruptions and geopolitical tensions.