Northeastern University Develops More Efficient Rare Earth Extraction Method

A new rare earth magnet recycling plant has been launched in the West Midlands, strengthening the UK’s position in rare earth recycling sector. The facility, developed by the University of Birmingham and officially opened on 15 January, focuses on separating and recycling rare earth magnets, helping reduce the UK’s dependence on imported rare earth materials, alloys, and magnets.

USA Rare Earth will begin commercial shipments of magnets in April. According to a company statement, the first rare earth magnet production line at its Stillwater, Oklahoma facility has been put into operation and is expected to reach full capacity of 600 mt per year by month-end December. In January this year, USA Rare Earth signed a non-binding agreement with the US Department of Commerce and planned to receive $1.6 billion in funding support to build a mine, thereby providing raw material for its magnet production. USA Rare Earth said that by 2027, the capacity of its Oklahoma magnet plant should reach 1,200 mt per year.

Appia Rare Earths & Uranium Corp. (CSE: API) is advancing its diversified portfolio of rare earth element (REE) and uranium projects in Canada and Brazil, providing materials critical to electrification and clean energy technologies. The company is particularly focused on magnetic rare earths such as neodymium and praseodymium, which are key raw materials for EVs, wind turbines, advanced electronics, as well as uranium. Its flagship Alces Lake project, located in Saskatchewan, hosts high-grade monazite mineralization, with reported total rare earth oxide (TREO) grades of up to 50%. The mineralization occurs at or near surface, enhancing potential economic feasibility and benefiting from proximity to the Saskatchewan Research Council's processing facilities.