Headquartered in the US, Energy Fuels has developed the technical capability to produce six rare earth oxides (samarium, gadolinium, dysprosium, terbium, lutetium, and yttrium) on a large scale in Utah. By expanding its existing rare earth element production capacity, the company has acquired the commercial capability to process monazite concentrate into Pr-Nd oxide.
The company stated, "With the licenses, facilities, and expertise to handle radioactive ore and extract uranium, we are accelerating production at the White Mesa plant."
With government support, Energy Fuels has the capacity to produce oxides of samarium, gadolinium, dysprosium, terbium, lutetium, and yttrium on a large scale at the White Mesa plant within 12 months. Currently, the company processes up to 10,000 mt of monazite concentrate annually, producing up to 1,000 mt of Pr-Nd oxide per year. In the coming years, the company plans to expand its processing capacity to 60,000 mt/year.