Ucore Rare Metals Secures DPAS Rating for US Army-Funded Rare Earth Processing Project

Ucore Rare Metals Inc. has achieved a significant milestone in its $22.4 million modified funding agreement with the US Army Contracting Command-Orlando, with purchase orders for the project now carrying a Defense Priorities & Allocations System (DPAS) DO-B8 rating. This designation legally requires suppliers to prioritize fulfillment of rated orders over unrated ones to meet national defense and emergency preparedness requirements, effectively accelerating the timeline for building a production-ready commercial RapidSX machine and supporting infrastructure in Alexandria, Louisiana.

The DPAS rating, applied following the July 9, 2025 contract modification, represents a critical step in strengthening North America's rare earth element (REE) supply chain independence. Ucore's strategic vision focuses on disrupting China's dominance in REE processing through the development of advanced separation technologies and processing facilities. The company's comprehensive plan includes establishing a heavy and light rare-earth processing facility in Louisiana, followed by Strategic Metals Complexes in Canada and Alaska, and ultimately developing its Bokan-Dotson Ridge Rare Heavy REE Project in Southeast Alaska.

The importance of this development extends beyond corporate growth to national security implications. Rare earth elements are essential components in defense technologies, renewable energy systems, and advanced electronics. China currently controls approximately 80% of global REE processing capacity, creating strategic vulnerabilities for Western nations. The DPAS rating underscores the US government's recognition of rare earth independence as a national security priority, ensuring that critical materials for defense applications receive manufacturing and supply chain precedence.

Industry analysts note that the accelerated timeline enabled by the DPAS rating could significantly impact the timeline for establishing domestic REE processing capabilities. Suppliers working on the RapidSX project must now prioritize these orders, potentially reducing delivery times for critical components and infrastructure. This development comes as part of broader US government efforts to secure strategic mineral supply chains, with the Department of Defense increasingly involved in supporting critical mineral projects through programs detailed at https://ibn.fm/EMuCd.

The successful implementation of Ucore's technology could reshape global rare earth markets by providing North American manufacturers with domestic processing alternatives. Current market dynamics force many Western companies to rely on Chinese processing facilities despite owning rare earth mines elsewhere. Ucore's approach, leveraging their proprietary RapidSX separation technology, aims to create a vertically integrated North American supply chain that reduces geopolitical risks while supporting advanced manufacturing sectors. Additional information about Ucore's corporate developments and strategic positioning is available through their investor communications portal at https://ibn.fm/UURAF.