Ucore and Metallium Partner to Develop U.S.-Based Rare Earth Refining Technology

Ucore Rare Metals Inc. (TSXV: UCU) (OTCQX: UURAF) and Metallium Limited (ASX: MTM; OTCQX: MTMCF) have announced a strategic technology collaboration to integrate Metallium's Flash Joule Heating (FJH) technology with Ucore's RapidSX separation platform. This partnership aims to develop a modular, U.S.-based refining solution capable of processing both conventional rare earth concentrates and alternative feedstocks including magnet scrap, e-waste, and lighting waste.

The collaboration represents a significant step toward reducing Western dependence on Chinese-controlled rare earth supply chains. Initial stages will focus on bench-scale and pilot testing to produce mixed rare earth chlorides for processing at Ucore's facilities, targeting high-value outputs including neodymium-praseodymium (NdPr), dysprosium (Dy), and terbium (Tb). These critical metals are essential components in permanent magnets used in electric vehicles, wind turbines, and defense applications.

Executives from both companies emphasized the partnership's potential to expand feedstock sources and enhance recovery of critical metals. The integration of FJH technology with RapidSX separation could enable more efficient processing of diverse material streams, potentially lowering costs and increasing supply chain resilience. This development comes at a time when Western nations are actively seeking to secure domestic supplies of rare earth elements crucial for clean energy transition and national security applications.

The companies' approach to modular refining solutions could provide flexibility in deployment and scalability, allowing for distributed processing facilities closer to feedstock sources. This strategic alignment supports broader efforts to establish independent rare earth supply chains outside of dominant market control. Additional information about Ucore's developments is available in the company's newsroom at https://ibn.fm/UURAF.

The full press release detailing this strategic collaboration can be viewed at https://ibn.fm/rNhbi. This partnership underscores the growing importance of technological innovation in addressing critical mineral supply chain vulnerabilities and supporting the transition to sustainable energy systems.