According to a report by Mining.com, American Rare Earths (ARE) announced that its wholly-owned subsidiary, Wyoming Rare, has secured a facility at the Western Research Institute (WRI) to advance its Halleck Creek rare earth project and enhance its operational capacity in the region.
The institute, located in Laramie, is a non-profit research organization with assets worth millions of US dollars, primarily engaged in advanced energy systems, environmental technologies, and materials R&D.
The facility will serve as a hub for ARE's exploration, processing, and future development activities, enabling the company to align with the US strategy to expand critical mineral development.
Previously, the company received $7.1 million in funding from the state of Wyoming to advance its rare earth processing plans.
Last year, the Halleck Creek project was ranked among the world's top ten rare earth projects by Mining Intelligence based on total rare earth oxide content. Recently, Wyoming Rare rejected a $400 million acquisition offer from a SPAC company.
ARE stated that the facility will house all of the company's core samples and drillings to date, providing a hub to accelerate operations. A pilot plant will be constructed at the site to advance R&D and testing of rare earth ore processing technologies for the Halleck Creek project.
Joe Evers, President of Wyoming Rare, stated in a press release, "The support from Wyoming, combined with our collaboration with WRI, underscores Wyoming's commitment to becoming a leader in critical mineral development."
"This facility helps us build a domestic critical mineral supply chain in the US and solidifies Wyoming's position as a leader in critical minerals and rare earths," Evers added.
