[SMM News: US-based Ucore Secures $18 Million to Expand Rare Earth Production] US-based Ucore Rare Metals has secured $18.4 million in funding from the Department of Defense to expand its rare earth separation refinery in Louisiana. This funding represents an increase from Ucore's existing $4 million agreement with the US Army Contracting Command-Orlando. The funding also supports the expansion of Ucore's original rare earth separation project in Kingston, Ontario, and advances the scale-up and commercial operation of Phase II of the Louisiana Strategic Metals Complex (SMC) rare earth refinery in Alexandria, Louisiana.