Rare Earth Exchanges

Highlights The supply chain for rare earths is critical to modern technology. Rare earths are not actually rare; they are recoverable from known ores. The economic viability of rare earth mining is a significant challenge. Light and heavy rare earth elements serve different purposes in technology. Innovations in precision mining can reduce environmental impact. National labs play a crucial role in...

Highlights 2025 was a year of unprecedented activity in the rare earth sector. The U.S. is recognizing the need for industrial policy in supply chains. Recycling and innovative technologies are crucial for future supply chains. The Pentagon's ban on Chinese magnets is a significant policy shift. Public sentiment is optimistic about Western supply chains rising. The bottleneck in rare earth sup...

HIGHLIGHTS Chara Technologies aims to create rare earth free motors for EVs. The reliance on rare earth elements poses significant supply chain risks. The global market for traction motors is approximately $35 billion. Reluctance motors offer a different method of torque generation compared to traditional motors. Chara's motors are heavier but offer competitive efficiency. Intellectual propert...

HIGHLIGHTS Malaysia has significant reserves of rare earth elements. The country is focusing on sustainable and environmentally friendly extraction methods. Environmental concerns are now prioritized in Malaysia's mining sector. Technological advancements are crucial for the development of the RE sector. Collaboration with international firms is essential for progress. Malaysia's geologica...

HIGHLIGHTS Tactical Resources focuses on American assets for domestic production. The Peak Project is strategically located in Texas, enhancing supply chain security. Clean processing is a key pillar of Tactical's operational strategy. The demand for rare earths is driven by various tech-enabled industries. Tactical is one of the few near-term solutions for US rare earth supply. The geological adv...

HIGHLIGHTS Phoenix Tailings focuses on extracting rare earths from mining waste. The company has raised $90 million to date. Nick Myers emphasizes the importance of midstream processing. The oxide to metal conversion is a key area of focus. Collaboration within the industry is crucial for success. Industrial policy is needed to support the rare earth sector. Recent changes in the market have galva...

HIGHLIGHTS ACE Clean is focused on creating a cleaner, safer way to recycle batteries. Nishchay Chadha has nearly two decades of experience in the mining and commodities sector. Lead batteries are highly recyclable, with 60-70% coming from recycled sources. The non-smelting process uses organic chemicals and operates at room temperature. ACE Clean's technology is modular, allowing for gradual...

HIGHLIGHTS Enedym aims to reduce dependence on rare earth metals. The electric motor industry is massive, with millions produced daily. Switch reluctance motors can eliminate the need for rare earth metals. Enedym has developed a comprehensive software platform for motor design. The company has benchmarked its motors against existing technologies. Two-wheelers and industrial vehicles are key targe...

HIGHLIGHTS James discovered rare earths while reviving a bankrupt mine. The U.S. lacks the capabilities to mine and refine rare earths. National security is at risk due to reliance on foreign sources. Caldera has a permitted mine with proven resources in Missouri. The company can produce significant amounts of heavy rare earths. Economic viability is supported by reprocessing existing tailings. Pa...

HIGHLIGHTS George Bennett has a rich background in investment banking and mining. Rainbow Rare Earths focuses on extracting rare earths from phosphogypsum waste. High-grade projects are crucial for economic viability in rare earth mining. 95% of exploration companies never reach production. Rainbow's project has a projected EBITDA margin of 75%. The company is on track to start construction in...

Highlights Defense Metals has a world-class light rare earth project in British Columbia. The project can concentrate from 2.4% in the ground to 50% concentrate grade. Permitting timelines are crucial and can take 2-3 years. Community engagement is essential for project success. The rare earth industry faces significant challenges, including financing and competition from China. Investors are incr...

Highlights Buckstop aims to enable a sustainable end of life for electronic devices. The company focuses on asset valuation rather than processing or recycling. AI plays a crucial role in improving the accuracy of asset valuations. The US has a low electronic waste recycling rate compared to other regions. Understanding the residual value of assets can drive better recycling practices. Buckstop&#3...

HIGHLIGHTS Utkarsh Singh's journey reflects a commitment to social welfare and environmental sustainability. BatX focuses on recycling critical materials from lithium-ion batteries to promote a circular economy. The global lithium supply chain is heavily dominated by China, especially in refining. India is poised to become a significant player in battery recycling and critical mineral extraction....

Highlights AML Magnetics was founded in 1995, focusing on high-energy physics. Wade Senti joined AML in 2017, following his father's passing. The company aims to reduce labor costs in magnet production. Customization is key in the magnet market, presenting both challenges and opportunities. The defense sector is a primary target market for AML Magnetics. PM wire is a unique process for produci...

Highlights Turkey is strategically located next to Europe, making it a key player in critical minerals. The country has a diverse mineral portfolio, but much of it remains untapped. Turkey's rare earth deposits are not well understood, with limited downstream processing capabilities. Electric vehicle adoption is growing, but infrastructure challenges remain. The government is focusing on renew...

Highlights Koch Modular specializes in modular EPC for chemical process facilities. Liquid-liquid extraction is a key technology for rare earth separation. Rare earth elements are challenging to separate due to their similar properties. The demand for rare earths has increased significantly in recent years. Koch Modular's technology can reduce the footprint and capital expenditure for rare ear...

Highlights Ionic Rare Earths is focused on heavy rare earths and recycling. The Makutu asset in Uganda is development-ready and strategically important. Heavy rare earths are crucial for military and defense applications. The company can sustain a significant portion of US demand for heavy rare earths. Recycling technology is gaining traction and is a priority for governments. Ionic is building pa...

Highlights Permitting for projects can take up to 29 years. The goal is to reduce permitting timelines to three years. 85-90% of rare earth oxides are controlled by China. The U.S. is highly dependent on China for rare earth elements. A comprehensive industrial policy is needed for independence. Emergency funding of $25-50 billion is necessary. A crisis may trigger significant government action. P...

Highlights The federal government often acts as an impediment to project permitting. A cultural shift is needed to prioritize 'yes' in permitting processes. Recent reforms have aimed to streamline the NEPA process. The average time to permit a mine in the U.S. is 29 years. The goal is to reduce the average permitting time to three years. Transparency in the permitting process can expedite...

Highlights Attero is a leading player in critical minerals recycling. The company has over 46 granted global patents. Attero recycles a wide range of electronic waste. Their recovery rates are significantly higher than global averages. China controls over 90% of the rare earth supply chain. Attero's technology allows for efficient urban mining. The company is looking to expand operations in the US...

Highlights Mark Jensen has over 22 years of experience in the mining sector. American Resources focuses on producing rare earth elements domestically. The company utilizes innovative chromatography technology developed at Purdue University. Environmental sustainability is a key focus in their production processes. Scalability is achieved through modular production systems. The defense industry is...

Highlights Gasbarre is poised for growth in magnet production. MP Materials has seen significant stock growth recently. Investment opportunities are emerging in the rare earth sector. The U.S. needs a strong industrial policy to compete with China. Talent development is crucial for the rare earth industry. Global strategies for mineral autonomy are being discussed. The importance of recycling in t...

Highlights Kalen Fitch has been with Gasbarre for three years, focusing on powder compaction solutions. Gasbarre is involved in the production of neodymium iron boron magnets. The U.S. is heavily reliant on China for magnet production and technology. There is a growing demand for domestically produced magnets due to supply chain risks. Gasbarre is working on scaling up production to meet increasin...

Highlights The rare earth market is rapidly evolving with significant government involvement. The US Department of Defense is investing heavily in rare earth production. International collaborations are crucial for diversifying supply chains. China continues to dominate the rare earth market, controlling a significant percentage of production. India is emerging as a key player in the rare earth se...

In this episode of the Rare Earth Exchanges podcast, host Dustin Olsen and co-host Daniel O'Connor engage with Jenny Qiu, an Associate Professor at Texas A&M University, to discuss her groundbreaking research on the recovery of rare earth elements from electronic waste. The conversation explores the importance of rare earth elements in modern technology, the challenges of current recycling met...