South Africa's Mining Industry Needs Investment to Overcome Regulatory and Operational Challenges

US Assistant Secretary of State Caleb Orr stated that the US is actively negotiating with Brazil to develop critical mineral processing capabilities, with a focus on heavy rare earths. Orr said Brazil is an "important" partner in building a resilient Western supply chain. The US has invested in Brazil's Serra Verde and Aclara rare earth projects through the DFC to produce mixed rare earth carbonate containing dysprosium and terbium for use in permanent magnetic materials. Brazil holds the world's second-largest rare earth reserves but lacks processing capacity. Brazilian President Lula emphasized that foreign companies must invest in downstream facilities to achieve an end-to-end value chain.

UK-based junior exploration company Altona Rare Earths has revealed that the US Trade and Development Agency (USTDA) has agreed to support its Monte Muambe rare earth project in Mozambique. Altona stated that USTDA will provide technical and financial support for the development of the Monte Muambe project, assisting it in achieving the production of rare earth elements.

Victory Metals has achieved a breakthrough in processing tests at its Northern Stanmore heavy rare earth project in Western Australia, successfully recovering the niche critical metal hafnium. Gravity separation tests increased the hafnium grade by 26 times, from 4 ppm to 108 ppm, with a recovery rate of 66%, and eliminated 97% of waste rock prior to recovery, significantly reducing ore beneficiation costs and operating expenses. Hafnium has a high melting point of 2,233°C and is corrosion-resistant, making it suitable for national defense and nuclear industries. Current global annual consumption is less than 100 mt, while its price has doubled within a year to $11,000/kg, with supply concentrated in China and Russia.