Ucore Advances North American Rare Earth Processing with RapidSX™ Technology and Strategic Expansion Plans

Ucore Rare Metals Inc. is advancing toward establishing domestic rare earth element processing capabilities in North America through multiple strategic initiatives. The company is nearing a critical milestone with the commissioning of its RapidSX™ Commercial Demonstration Plant in Kingston, Ontario, representing a significant step in commercializing advanced rare earth element separation technology. This development comes as North America seeks to reduce its reliance on Chinese rare earth production, which currently dominates the global market.

The company's strategic roadmap includes constructing its first Strategic Metals Complex in Louisiana with an initial processing capacity of 2,000 tons of total rare earth oxides by the end of 2024. Ucore plans to scale this capacity to 5,000 tons by 2026, demonstrating substantial growth potential in the critical minerals sector. Beyond the Louisiana facility, the company has long-term plans for additional Strategic Metals Complexes in Alaska and Canada, creating a distributed processing network across North America.

These initiatives are supported by Ucore's 100%-owned Bokan-Dotson Ridge heavy rare earth element resource in Alaska, positioning the company as a potential key player in North American critical minerals production. The company's approach is bolstered by strong support from U.S. and Canadian governments, along with strategic partnerships with Kingston Process Metallurgy and Mech-Chem Associates. These collaborations are crucial in establishing a comprehensive North American rare earth element supply chain that can potentially reduce dependence on Chinese production.

By developing independent rare earth element processing capabilities, Ucore aims to address critical supply chain vulnerabilities and support emerging technologies that rely on these materials. The successful implementation of RapidSX™ technology and the Strategic Metals Complex network could significantly impact sectors including renewable energy, electronics, and advanced manufacturing, all of which depend heavily on stable rare earth element supplies. This development represents an important step toward North American self-sufficiency in critical minerals essential for modern technologies and national security.