Aclara Resources Selected for US DoE Funding to Advance AI-Driven Rare Earth Processing

Meteoric Resources Ltd (ASX: MEI) announced a strategic partnership with POSCO International to advance its rare earth project in Brazil, including the potential supply of up to 30% of Caldeira's output to POSCO, as well as collaboration on project financing. A non-binding memorandum of strategic partnership was signed with POSCO International Corporation. POSCO may secure supply of up to 30% of Caldeira's rare earth materials over a potential term of up to seven years.

A consortium formed by Iluka Resources and RareX has been shortlisted for the final bidding stage of the Mrima Hill rare earth mine project in Kenya. RareX’s development strategy focuses on mining, preliminary processing, and enhancing local value addition, including producing phosphate and manganese by-products, while further rare earth processing is planned to be carried out at Iluka’s Eneabba smelter in Western Australia, built with a $1.8 billion investment. The Kenyan government is now requiring shortlisted parties to submit formal development proposals to advance the decision-making process. The Mrima Hill niobium and rare earth mine is a carbonatite deposit, with rare earth oxides estimated at approximately 6.1 million mt and substantial niobium resources, considered one of the top 10 rare earth projects in the world.

According to foreign media reports, Indonesia’s Presidential Office called for government agencies, law enforcement officials, and industry stakeholders to strengthen cooperation and address existing regulatory loopholes. Industry sources indicated that exports of alumina and nickel products have faced obstacles because the products contain rare earth components. As a major exporter, Indonesia rarely produces products with associated rare earths. As a result, the country has yet to issue any regulations that stipulate the permissible rare earth content in other export products.