USAR Launches Heavy Rare Earth Hydrometallurgy Plant in Colorado, Aims for Q3 2026 Oxide Production
US Rare Earths (USAR) has started operating its heavy rare earth hydrometallurgy demonstration plant in Wheat Ridge, Colorado, and plans to produce separated oxides for the first time in Q3 2026. USAR said the plant will produce separated heavy rare earth oxides, including dysprosium, terbium and yttrium. Quantity details were not disclosed. The company said the Wheat Ridge facility is fully automated and equipped with instruments for real-time process monitoring in all production operations. The plant processes three raw materials simultaneously, including ore from USAR's Round Top project in Texas, ore from the Serra Verde Pela Ema mine in Brazil, and magnet scrap.