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Pat Ryan on Ucore’s Engineering Advantage in the Production of Heavy Rare Earths for Permanent Magnets

At PDAC Toronto 2024, Critical Minerals Institute (CMI) Co-Chairman Jack Lifton interviewed Pat Ryan, the Chairman and CEO of Ucore Rare Metals Inc. (TSXV: UCU | OTCQX: UURAF), discussing Ucore’s advancements in the rare earths’ permanent magnet supply chain. Ryan highlighted the company’s focus on mid-market separation technologies, particularly their RapidSX technology, which significantly improves throughput rates for extracting rare earths essential for high-temperature applications like electric vehicles. With a commercial demo plant in Kingston, Ucore is engineering a full-scale system capable of producing heavy rare earths, including dysprosium, at purities above 99%. Ryan emphasized the strategic importance of heavy rare earths, noting, “The one critical thing we’re really focused on is that heavy rare earth element…the permanent magnets really only work because the heavy rare earth allows it to operate at very high temperature.”

Ucore’s approach to securing feedstock for these valuable minerals is noteworthy, as Ryan mentioned sourcing from the Asian market outside of China. This strategic sourcing is part of Ucore’s broader vision to disrupt China’s control over the North American rare earth supply chain. With plans to operationalize a full-scale plant in Louisiana by 2025, Ucore is poised to become a significant player in the rare earths market. The company’s engagement in joint ventures rather than traditional buy-sell agreements reflects a collaborative strategy aimed at strengthening the western rare earths supply chain. This initiative is further supported by Ucore’s recent announcement of successfully separating a range of heavy rare earth elements using its RapidSX technology, marking a critical step towards establishing a domestic rare earth processing capability.

Ucore’s commitment to innovation and strategic partnerships underscores its potential to influence the North American rare earths market significantly. By focusing on the production of heavy rare earths and employing advanced separation technologies, Ucore aims to reduce dependence on foreign rare earths and contribute to the resilience of critical supply chains. With a seasoned executive like Ryan, who has extensive experience in manufacturing and supply chain management, Ucore is well-positioned to navigate the complexities of rare earth processing and meet the growing demand for these essential components in various high-tech applications.

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About Ucore Rare Metals Inc.

Ucore is focused on rare- and critical-metal resources, extraction, beneficiation, and separation technologies with the potential for production, growth, and scalability. Ucore’s vision and plan is to become a leading advanced technology company, providing best-in-class metal separation products and services to the mining and mineral extraction industry.

Through strategic partnerships, this plan includes disrupting the People’s Republic of China’s control of the North American REE supply chain through the near-term establishment of a heavy and light rare-earth processing facility in the US State of Louisiana, subsequent Strategic Metal Complexes in Canada and Alaska and the longer-term development of Ucore’s 100% controlled Bokan-Dotson Ridge Rare Heavy REE Project on Prince of Wales Island in Southeast Alaska, USA.

To learn more about Ucore Rare Metals Inc., click here

Disclaimer: Ucore Rare Metals Inc. is an advertorial member of InvestorNews Inc.

This interview, which was produced by InvestorNews Inc. (“InvestorNews”), does not contain, nor does it purport to contain, a summary of all material information concerning the Company, including important disclosure and risk factors associated with the Company, its business and an investment in its securities. InvestorNews offers no representations or warranties that any of the information contained in this interview is accurate or complete.

This interview and any transcriptions or reproductions thereof (collectively, this “presentation”) does not constitute, or form part of, any offer or invitation to sell or issue, or any solicitation of any offer to subscribe for or purchase any securities in the Company. The information in this presentation is provided for informational purposes only and may be subject to updating, completion or revision, and except as may be required by applicable securities laws, the Company disclaims any intent or obligation to update any information herein. This presentation may contain “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities legislation. Forward-looking statements are based on the opinions and assumptions of the management of the Company as of the date made. They are inherently susceptible to uncertainty and other factors that could cause actual events/results to differ materially from these forward-looking statements. Additional risks and uncertainties, including those that the Company does not know about now or that it currently deems immaterial, may also adversely affect the Company’s business or any investment therein.

Any projections given are principally intended for use as objectives and are not intended, and should not be taken, as assurances that the projected results will be obtained by the Company. The assumptions used may not prove to be accurate and a potential decline in the Company’s financial condition or results of operations may negatively impact the value of its securities. This presentation should not be considered as the giving of investment advice by the Company or any of its directors, officers, agents, employees or advisors. Each person to whom this presentation is made available must make its own independent assessment of the Company after making such investigations and taking such advice as may be deemed necessary. Prospective investors are urged to review the Company’s profile on SedarPlus.ca and to carry out independent investigations in order to determine their interest in investing in the Company.




Defense Metals Signs MOU with Ucore to Ship Rare Earth Carbonate to RapidSX™ Facility in Ontario

Defense Metals Corp. (TSXV: DEFN | OTCQB: DFMTF) and Ucore Rare Metals Inc. (TSXV: UCU | OTCQX: UURAF) have entered into a non-binding Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to explore joint efforts in establishing a North American rare earth element (REE) supply chain. As a significant step under this MOU, Defense Metals will send a mixed rare earth carbonate sample from its Wicheeda REE project in British Columbia to Ucore’s RapidSX™ Commercialization and Demonstration Facility (CDF) in Kingston, Ontario.

The Wicheeda REE Project, owned entirely by Defense Metals, is positioned approximately 80 km northeast of Prince George, British Columbia. The project is noted for its accessibility and proximity to necessary infrastructure like power transmission lines, gas pipelines, and transportation routes to major ports.

Craig Taylor, CEO of Defense Metals, remarked on the importance of the Wicheeda project as a source of REE in North America. He emphasized the growing demand for REE feedstock, particularly as more processing and separation facilities become operational. This shipment to Ucore’s demonstration plant is part of the company’s broader strategy to participate in the Western REE supply chain.

SGS Canada Inc. in Lakefield, Ontario, is tasked with shipping the sample to Ucore’s CDF. This sample was produced during 2023 hydrometallurgical piloting test work, which was based on a concentrate from earlier flotation pilot plant testing of a 26-tonne bulk sample from the Wicheeda Property.

Pat Ryan, P.Eng., Chairman and CEO of Ucore, highlighted the strategic significance of collaborating with Defense Metals. The MOU outlines how Defense Metals’ REE resource can be processed and refined using Ucore’s RapidSX™ technology. Ryan noted that receiving the mixed rare earth carbonate sample at the Kingston CDF would initiate evaluations of potential collaborative projects between the two companies.

Ucore’s efforts in REE separation and purification include commercial demonstration projects at its CDF in Kingston. These projects aim to separate heavy and light REEs and are part of Ucore’s broader plan to commercialize its RapidSX™ technology. Ucore is also developing a commercial REE processing plant in Alexandria, Louisiana, known as the Louisiana Strategic Metals Complex (SMC), in collaboration with the US Department of Defense and the Government of Canada.




Jack Lifton with Mark Chalmers on Energy Fuels Rare Earth Deal and Increasing US Uranium Production

In a comprehensive interview, Jack Lifton, Co-Chair of the Critical Minerals Institute (CMI) and Host at Investor.News, engages with Mark Chalmers, CEO of Energy Fuels Inc. (NYSE American: UUUU | TSX: EFR). They discuss key issues in the critical minerals sector, focusing on Energy Fuels’ transformative MOU with Astron Corporation. This agreement signifies a major shift toward establishing a U.S.-centric rare earths supply chain. Central to this collaboration is the processing of rare earth concentrates from Australia’s Donald Project at Energy Fuels’ Utah facility, a critical step for the nation’s future needs.

Chalmers also highlights Energy Fuels’ strategic decision to ramp up uranium production at various U.S. mines. He outlines the company’s initiatives to leverage favorable market conditions and supportive government policies, aiming for a significant increase in uranium production in the near future. This expansion is integral to Energy Fuels’ broader commitment to playing a key role in the energy transition, showcasing their expertise in handling natural radioactive minerals.

The dialogue with Lifton further explores the wider implications of Energy Fuels’ projects, particularly in aligning with U.S. strategies to reduce dependence on foreign critical minerals. Chalmers emphasizes the substantial impact these initiatives are poised to have on the U.S. electric vehicle and clean energy sectors. He underscores Energy Fuels’ crucial contribution to creating a sustainable, competitive, and independent supply chain for these vital resources. To access the complete interview, click here

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About Energy Fuels Inc.

Energy Fuels is a leading US-based critical minerals company. The Company, as the leading producer of uranium in the United States, mines uranium and produces natural uranium concentrates that are sold to major nuclear utilities for the production of carbon-free nuclear energy. Energy Fuels recently began production of advanced rare earth element (“REE“) materials, including mixed REE carbonate, and plans to produce commercial quantities of separated REE oxides in the future. Energy Fuels also produces vanadium from certain of its projects, as market conditions warrant, and is evaluating the recovery of radionuclides needed for emerging cancer treatments. Its corporate offices are in Lakewood, Colorado, near Denver, and substantially all its assets and employees are in the United States. Energy Fuels holds two of America’s key uranium production centers: the White Mesa Mill in Utah and the Nichols Ranch in-situ recovery (“ISR“) Project in Wyoming. The White Mesa Mill is the only conventional uranium mill operating in the US today, has a licensed capacity of over 8 million pounds of U3O8 per year, and has the ability to produce vanadium when market conditions warrant, as well as REE products, from various uranium-bearing ores. The Nichols Ranch ISR Project is on standby and has a licensed capacity of 2 million pounds of U3O8 per year. The Company recently acquired the Bahia Project in Brazil, which is believed to have significant quantities of titanium (ilmenite and rutile), zirconium (zircon) and REE (monazite) minerals. In addition to the above production facilities, Energy Fuels also has one of the largest NI 43-101 compliant uranium resource portfolios in the US and several uranium and uranium/vanadium mining projects on standby and in various stages of permitting and development.

To learn more about Energy Fuels Inc., click here

Disclaimer: Energy Fuels Inc. is an advertorial member of InvestorNews Inc.

This interview, which was produced by InvestorNews Inc. (“InvestorNews”), does not contain, nor does it purport to contain, a summary of all material information concerning the Company, including important disclosure and risk factors associated with the Company, its business and an investment in its securities. InvestorNews offers no representations or warranties that any of the information contained in this interview is accurate or complete.

This interview and any transcriptions or reproductions thereof (collectively, this “presentation”) does not constitute, or form part of, any offer or invitation to sell or issue, or any solicitation of any offer to subscribe for or purchase any securities in the Company. The information in this presentation is provided for informational purposes only and may be subject to updating, completion or revision, and except as may be required by applicable securities laws, the Company disclaims any intent or obligation to update any information herein. This presentation may contain “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities legislation. Forward-looking statements are based on the opinions and assumptions of the management of the Company as of the date made. They are inherently susceptible to uncertainty and other factors that could cause actual events/results to differ materially from these forward-looking statements. Additional risks and uncertainties, including those that the Company does not know about now or that it currently deems immaterial, may also adversely affect the Company’s business or any investment therein.

Any projections given are principally intended for use as objectives and are not intended, and should not be taken, as assurances that the projected results will be obtained by the Company. The assumptions used may not prove to be accurate and a potential decline in the Company’s financial condition or results of operations may negatively impact the value of its securities. This presentation should not be considered as the giving of investment advice by the Company or any of its directors, officers, agents, employees or advisors. Each person to whom this presentation is made available must make its own independent assessment of the Company after making such investigations and taking such advice as may be deemed necessary. Prospective investors are urged to review the Company’s profile on SedarPlus.ca and to carry out independent investigations in order to determine their interest in investing in the Company.




Ucore’s Strategic Leap: Pat Ryan Discusses the First Mover Advantage in Rare Earths Processing at Louisiana’s Strategic Metals Complex

In a recent InvestorNews interview with host Tracy Weslosky, Pat Ryan, Chairman and CEO of Ucore Rare Metals Inc. (TSXV: UCU | OTCQX: UURAF), shared insights into the company’s latest strategic developments, particularly focusing on the Louisiana Strategic Metals Complex (LA-SMC) discussed in Ucore’s most recent news release. Central to Ucore’s progress is the support from Louisiana Governor Jon Bel Edwards, who has played a pivotal role in advancing the LA-SMC project through the execution of a contract for exemption of ad valorem taxes. This move is part of a larger $15 million incentive package from Louisiana Economic Development and is expected to yield an estimated $8.2 million in tax savings over ten years, significantly aiding the project’s progression.

The recent visit by Ucore’s team to the Kingston, Ontario, RapidSX™ Demo Plant marks a key step in the transition process of replicating the plant’s technology in Louisiana. This initiative is part of Ucore’s broader strategy to establish a strong operational base in North America, positioning itself as a critical player in the rare earth processing industry.

Additionally, Ryan discussed the potential collaborations Ucore is exploring with both government support in the US and Canada; along with various industries, emphasizing the company’s focus on strengthening the supply chain for metal alloy making and catering to sectors such as automotive, wind energy, and national defense.

Also in the interview, there was a discussion surrounding feature coverage of Ucore in a Reuters’ article titled Insight: Western start-ups seek to break China’s grip on rare earths refining, dated December 4, 2023, Ucore Rare Metals stands out for its innovative approach in the rare earths sector. Ucore aims to revolutionize rare earths processing by mid-2025 using RapidSX technology, which is touted to be thrice as fast as the traditional solvent extraction process, without generating hazardous chemical waste, and requiring significantly less physical space. Ucore’s initiative is a part of a broader movement among Western companies to establish a non-Chinese supply chain for these critical minerals, essential for numerous electronic devices and the clean energy transition.

To access the complete interview, click here

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About Ucore Rare Metals Inc.

Ucore is focused on rare- and critical-metal resources, extraction, beneficiation, and separation technologies with the potential for production, growth, and scalability. Ucore’s vision and plan is to become a leading advanced technology company, providing best-in-class metal separation products and services to the mining and mineral extraction industry.

Through strategic partnerships, this plan includes disrupting the People’s Republic of China’s control of the North American REE supply chain through the near-term development of a heavy and light rare-earth processing facility in the U.S. State of Louisiana, subsequent Strategic Metal Complexes in Canada and Alaska and the longer-term development of Ucore’s 100% controlled Bokan-Dotson Ridge Rare Heavy REE Project on Prince of Wales Island in Southeast Alaska, USA.

Disclaimer: Ucore Rare Metals Inc. is an advertorial member of InvestorNews Inc.

This interview, which was produced by InvestorNews Inc. (“InvestorNews”), does not contain, nor does it purport to contain, a summary of all material information concerning the Company, including important disclosure and risk factors associated with the Company, its business and an investment in its securities. InvestorNews offers no representations or warranties that any of the information contained in this interview is accurate or complete.

This interview and any transcriptions or reproductions thereof (collectively, this “presentation”) does not constitute, or form part of, any offer or invitation to sell or issue, or any solicitation of any offer to subscribe for or purchase any securities in the Company. The information in this presentation is provided for informational purposes only and may be subject to updating, completion or revision, and except as may be required by applicable securities laws, the Company disclaims any intent or obligation to update any information herein. This presentation may contain “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities legislation. Forward-looking statements are based on the opinions and assumptions of the management of the Company as of the date made. They are inherently susceptible to uncertainty and other factors that could cause actual events/results to differ materially from these forward-looking statements. Additional risks and uncertainties, including those that the Company does not know about now or that it currently deems immaterial, may also adversely affect the Company’s business or any investment therein.

Any projections given are principally intended for use as objectives and are not intended, and should not be taken, as assurances that the projected results will be obtained by the Company. The assumptions used may not prove to be accurate and a potential decline in the Company’s financial condition or results of operations may negatively impact the value of its securities. This presentation should not be considered as the giving of investment advice by the Company or any of its directors, officers, agents, employees or advisors. Each person to whom this presentation is made available must make its own independent assessment of the Company after making such investigations and taking such advice as may be deemed necessary. Prospective investors are urged to review the Company’s profile on SedarPlus.ca and to carry out independent investigations in order to determine their interest in investing in the Company.




Energy Fuels, a Leading Force in the Critical Minerals Market, Announces Q3-2023 Financial Results

Energy Fuels Inc. (NYSE American: UUUU | TSX: EFR), a prominent player in the uranium and rare earth industries, unveiled its financial results for the quarter ending September 30, 2023. With exponential growth and remarkable achievements, join me on their webcast at 4PM EST (today, 11-06-2023) to secure the full update.

Q3-2023 Financial Highlights

  • The quarter boasted a stellar balance sheet with $162.50 million in working capital, a marked improvement from the $116.97 million as of December 31, 2022. The company’s position is reinforced with zero debt and significant assets in cash, marketable securities, and inventory.
  • The net income for the quarter stood at $10.47 million or $0.07 per share. This includes the impressive sale of 180,000 pounds of uranium (U3O8) to a leading U.S. nuclear utility, garnering a gross profit margin of 50%.
  • While uranium remains a significant part of their portfolio, Energy Fuels is also actively diversifying. Efforts towards developing commercial rare earth separation capabilities are ongoing, and results thus far are promising.

Uranium: The Backbone of Energy Fuels

Uranium sales have seen a consistent upswing in 2023. Notably, the company sold 180,000 pounds of U3O8 at a commendable gross margin of 50% this quarter.

Furthermore, the proactive approach towards preparing four of their conventional uranium mines for production signifies Energy Fuels’ commitment to bolstering their uranium segment. The company aims to commence production in these mines by early 2024.

Rare Earths: The Road Ahead

Energy Fuels is making strides in the rare earth sector. Their ambitious “Phase 1” is set to be completed by early 2024, positioning them as a dominant producer of neodymium-praseodymium (NdPr) oxide outside China. This venture alone could cater to up to 1 million electric vehicles annually.

With “Phase 2” and “Phase 3” on the horizon, Energy Fuels is strategically positioning itself to meet the growing demand for rare earth elements, essential for various industries.

A Glance at Vanadium

Though the company did not sell any vanadium this quarter, their strategy seems to be geared towards leveraging market strength, as evident from their Q1-2023 sales.

CEO’s Perspective

Mark S. Chalmers, President and CEO of Energy Fuels, lauds the company’s progress. In his statement, he emphasized the company’s vision to establish a U.S. critical mineral hub. He highlighted the successful uranium sales and their vision for the rare earths supply chain.

Chalmers aptly said, “Energy Fuels’ business strategy and execution sits at an intersection of rapidly growing commodity markets, critical to the clean energy transition.”

Closing Thoughts and What’s Next

Today, we will be on the conference call scheduled for 4PM EST, eager to understand more about Energy Fuels’ future plans and the way forward.

With its strategic focus on both uranium and rare earths, Energy Fuels is well down the path to becoming the American Critical Mineral Powerhouse.

Author’s Note: To access the detailed Q3-2023 report, please visit the official SEC or SEDAR websites, or [Energy Fuels’ website].




Pat Ryan on Ucore’s $4M Department of Defense Award and Plans in Louisiana

In this InvestorIntel interview, Chris Thompson talks with Ucore Rare Metals Inc.’s (TSXV: UCU | OTCQX: UURAF) CEO and Chairman Pat Ryan about being awarded US$4 million from the US Department of Defense (DoD) to demonstrate rare earth element (REE) separation technology capabilities at its RapidSX™ Commercialization and Demonstration Facility in Kingston, Ontario.

Pat believes the award signifies recognition and credibility for Ucore’s work in the past years and its ability to process both heavy and light rare earths. He also comments that the DoD contract is open-ended, providing an opportunity for further commercial-level contracts in the future.

Providing an update on ramping up production at their Louisiana Strategic Metals Complex, Pat discusses how Ucore is securing US-friendly feedstock sources for its processing facility for converting heavy and light REEs feedstock sources to salable individual rare earth products. Ucore aims to be a first mover in delivering rare earth oxides to the North American market, proving commercial viability and insuring a domestic supply.

Pat remarks that investors can anticipate upcoming news regarding feedstock arrangements, potential off-take agreements, ongoing government support, and additional government funding opportunities.

To access the full InvestorIntel interview, click here

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About Ucore Rare Metals Inc.

Ucore is focused on rare- and critical-metal resources, extraction, beneficiation, and separation technologies with the potential for production, growth, and scalability. Ucore’s vision and plan is to become a leading advanced technology company, providing best-in-class metal separation products and services to the mining and mineral extraction industry.

Through strategic partnerships, this plan includes disrupting the People’s Republic of China’s control of the North American REE supply chain through the near-term development of a heavy and light rare-earth processing facility in the US State of Louisiana, subsequent SMCs in Canada and Alaska and the longer-term development of Ucore’s 100% controlled Bokan-Dotson Ridge Rare Heavy REE Project on Prince of Wales Island in Southeast Alaska, USA.

To learn more about Ucore Rare Metals Inc., click here

Disclaimer: Ucore Rare Metals Inc. is an advertorial member of InvestorIntel Corp.

This interview, which was produced by InvestorIntel Corp., (IIC), does not contain, nor does it purport to contain, a summary of all the material information concerning the “Company” being interviewed. IIC offers no representations or warranties that any of the information contained in this interview is accurate or complete.

This presentation may contain “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities legislation. Forward-looking statements are based on the opinions and assumptions of the management of the Company as of the date made. They are inherently susceptible to uncertainty and other factors that could cause actual events/results to differ materially from these forward-looking statements. Additional risks and uncertainties, including those that the Company does not know about now or that it currently deems immaterial, may also adversely affect the Company’s business or any investment therein.

Any projections given are principally intended for use as objectives and are not intended, and should not be taken, as assurances that the projected results will be obtained by the Company. The assumptions used may not prove to be accurate and a potential decline in the Company’s financial condition or results of operations may negatively impact the value of its securities. Prospective investors are urged to review the Company’s profile on Sedar.com and to carry out independent investigations in order to determine their interest in investing in the Company.

If you have any questions surrounding the content of this interview, please contact us at +1 416 792 8228 and/or email us direct at [email protected].




Ucore Awarded $4M from the US DoD to Support Rare Earths Separation Facility in North America

This week Ucore Rare Metals Inc. (TSXV: UCU | OTCQX: UURAF) (“Ucore”) announced it has received a US$4 million award from the US Department of Defense (“DoD”) to demonstrate rare earth element (REE) separation technology capabilities at its RapidSX™ Commercialization and Demonstration Facility in Kingston, Ontario.

The objectives of the project are to:

  • Demonstrate the capability to commercially source a sustainable domestic (US and Canada) processing facility for converting heavy and light REEs feedstock sources to individual rare earth products, and
  • Present a new innovative separation process that increases the ability to create domestic REE processing plants.

The project aims to demonstrate Ucore’s RapidSX™ technology platform for rare earth element separation and showcase Ucore’s ability to operate the plant for extended periods of nearly continuous operation, its ability to separate both light and heavy REEs with the same equipment, and the technology’s readiness level.

Successful completion of the project may lead to a follow-on production agreement with the DoD to further support Ucore’s REE separation capabilities in North America, specifically the Louisiana Strategic Metals Complex planned for Alexandria, Louisiana.

Ucore’s path from a demonstration plant to production

Ucore is building a North American rare earths supply chain, with an initial focus on the midstream refining process of rare earths in North America. To achieve this the Company has been making excellent progress with the help of government support in both Canada and the USA.

The end goal is to achieve, with the help of strategic partnerships, a westernized rare earths supply chain including feedstock, oxides, metals/alloys, and eventually magnets.

Ucore plans to use their RapidSX™ rare earth elements (“REE”) separation technology Demonstration Facility in Canada to demonstrate their technology and then to replicate that technology at their planned Louisiana Strategic Metals Complex (“LSMC“) in the USA at a larger scale.

Ucore summarizes its plan to produce end-stage rare earth materials stating:

Ucore has developed a proprietary critical metals separation technology that dramatically improves the efficiency and environmental characteristics of the REE separation process. Ucore’s RapidSX™ REE separation technology Demonstration Plant in Kingston, Ontario, Canada….has formed the “copy and paste” template to establish the process of building a RapidSX™ plant inside an existing building. This construction process will be replicated in Alexandria to establish the commercial-scale LSMC processing facility on an accelerated timeline. Furthermore, the two plants will work together to shorten the schedule for the LSMC plant start-up and original equipment manufacturers’ (“OEM“) product qualification trials.

FIGURE 1: Ucore’s plan for a North American REE supply chain

Source: Ucore company presentation

RapidSX™ REE Commercialization and Demonstration Facility in Canada

The company has successfully demonstrated the technology at its RapidSX™ Commercialization and Demonstration Facility (CDF) in Kingston, Ontario, Canada. The RapidSX™ Demonstration Plant was commissioned earlier this year and is located within the 5,000-square-foot CDF.

Its RapidSXTM technology is based on research and development by Innovation Metals Corp. with some funding assistance from the US Department of Energy. Innovation Metals was acquired by Ucore in 2020.

FIGURE 2: Ucore’s RapidSX™ Technology Platform Demonstration Plant in Kingston, Ontario, Canada

Source: Ucore company announcement April 6, 2023

Louisiana Strategic Metals Complex

As announced on April 6, 2023, Ucore has selected a facility for their planned Louisiana Strategic Metals Complex (“LSMC“) rare earth element separation and oxide production refinery. Ucore selected an 80,800 square-foot brownfield facility within the England Airpark in Alexandria, Louisiana, USA. The announcement states:

Ucore and the England Authority have established a multi-decade lease arrangement to ensure the long-term viability of the LSMC.

The plan is for the refinery (LSMC) to start with 2,000 tpa total rare earth oxide (“TREO“) by the beginning of 2025, then ramp up to produce 7,500tpa of TREO in 2027, using the RapidSX™ technology.

The 7,500tpa LSMC refinery has an estimated capital expenditure of US$75 million and is expected to be the first of several planned modern REE refineries in North America by Ucore.

FIGURE 3: Ucore’s future Louisiana Strategic Metals Complex (“LSMC”) in Alexandria, Louisiana, USA

Source: Ucore company announcement April 6, 2023

Summary of Ucore’s projects timeline

  • 2022 – 2024 – RapidSX™ Commercial Demonstration Plant – construction, commissioning and tonnes of HREE & LREE demonstration testing.
  • 2023 – 2025 RapidSX™ full-scale commercial deployment in the first of several planned modern REE refineries in North America, the Louisiana SMC for individual REO production.

Closing remarks

Ucore has already received about C$20 million plus in government support towards achieving its goal to produce rare earth oxides in North America. It is clear that there is a huge support to establish a North American rare earths supply chain.

Ucore has the technology and is now at the stage of demonstrating it at a larger scale and then commercializing the technology at their planned LSMC refinery in the USA. This will take a few years but if all goes well, Ucore plans to ramp up from 2,000tpa TREO production in 2025 to 7,500tpa TREO in 2027.

Big plans, yes, but there is definitely a growing demand for local rare earths material to support the green revolution, and now finally some good Western government support.

Ucore Rare Metals trades on a market cap of C$67 million.




Jack Lifton on the Critical Minerals Crisis

The Critical Minerals Crisis excerpt — “We are now at an inflection point for our society. If we can secure the supplies and the processing capacity for the minerals critical for the technologies we now take for granted in our daily lives, then our nations will flourish and grow. If not, then our standard of living will decline, and those who have the critical minerals and the industrial bases to refine and fabricate them surge ahead of us. Our politicians and policymakers are woefully ignorant of this reality. This is the greatest danger of all to our lifestyle and security.” — Jack Lifton, Co-Founder & Co-Chairman, Critical Minerals Institute

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Jack Lifton asks where are the “experts?”

In American Common Law an “expert” is defined as someone who knows more than the ordinary person about the subject matter at hand. In my youth, after attending graduate school and while attending Law School, I was frequently retained and asked to appear in court as an “expert witness” for litigation around electrical, electronic, and chemical accidents, fires, and explosions. In the fifty years since then I have continued to observe, and, I hope, learn about the operation and management of the material world. This has led me to characterize myself as an “observer” rather than as an expert. Here are my most recent observations and some of my thoughts about them:

The production and volume of production of an individual chemical element in any form, compound, metal or alloy, is a function of its value to society at any given time. The need will be determined by the importance of societal values of the moment. Up to and including 1945 that need was determined almost entirely by war. Since 1945 a new factor, civilian consumerism, has become the dominant driver for the production of many formerly little-known, and rare, and difficult to produce in volume, chemical elements. Although the chemical engineering necessary to produce these rare elements in useful forms and relatively large quantities was paid for as a necessity for future war needs by the U.S. Defense Department (formerly known as the War Department). That funding mechanism faded away along with the lunar exploration program in the 1970s when cold war replaced hot war as the policy of the then two hegemons, the USA and the Soviet Union.

It was, at first, and for a long time not necessary for the big mining, chemical, or metallurgical companies to produce large quantities of the minerals and metals required for the mass production of the consumer and military devices necessary for the modern economies of the rich nations, because those necessary quantities, until the second decade of the 21st century, were small.

Then, in the second decade of the twenty-first century, the political push for EVs and then alternate energy entered the picture through the currently fashionable “fight against climate change.” Unlike, “global winter,” the “covid crisis,” and now the AI “disaster”, all of which were previously, and in the case of “AI”, currently, existential the fight against climate change has manifested itself in a battle to see who can most rapidly (appear to) destroy the cheap energy century that brought so much growth to the West. In North America and Europe, this has materialized as a rush to build out a wind turbine and solar infrastructure to replace fossil fuels as the major source of the energy required to produce electricity. On top of that it has been decreed by the ruling classes of the elected and the elect (the wealthy) that no one who is worthy shall drive any vehicle not powered by the electricity stored in a rechargeable battery that feeds an electric motor.

Thus the relatively small and manageable demand for rare technology metals has exploded into an intense drive to expand the production of these materials. This has driven a focused increase not only in exploration, but more importantly in the researching and developing of new technologies for extracting, refining, and fabricating end-user forms of the rare technology metals. Commercially, so far, there has been little success in developing new extraction and processing technologies. And, ominously, exploration has discovered few “new” discoveries of high enough grade and accessibility to be nominated as “deposits” to be developed into economical mines.

The policymakers, nonetheless, continue to ignore their own failings in understanding the economics of natural resource production and the self-defeating hypocrisy of the anti-mining lobby.

The academic and bureaucratic observers of the economy who advise the policymakers are not at all experts in those things in which they have no hands-on experience.




A profitable Energy Fuels acquires a rare earth project in Brazil and leads the way for critical minerals in the USA

Energy Fuels Inc. (NYSE American: UUUU | TSX: EFR) (“Energy Fuels”) has been going from strength to strength in 2023. As the leading US uranium producer, recent expansion to rare earths processing has made Energy Fuels a leading US supplier of critical minerals.

Energy Fuels produces uranium and vanadium from their White Mesa Mill in Utah, USA and since March 2022 the Company has also been active with rare earths separation and production of mixed rare earths carbonate containing 32%-34% NdPr. All of this has now started to flow through to revenues and profits for Energy Fuels in 2023.

Energy Fuels White Mesa Mill in Utah, USA and key critical minerals mined or processed

Source: Energy Fuels May 2023 company presentation

Energy Fuels Financial results – Q1, 2023 sees a return to profitability

As announced on March 8, 2023, Energy Fuels reported full-year 2022 positive sales revenue but a net loss of US$59.85 million. The loss was primarily due to additional expenses for various one-off items including costs from preparing four uranium mines for production, development expenses associated with developing commercial rare earth element separation capabilities, etc.

2023 has brought a new dawn for Energy Fuels with a rapid turnaround to become profitable.

As announced on May 5, 2023, Energy Fuels delivered a net profit of US$114.26 million. The profit was significantly boosted by the one-off sale of Energy Fuels’ Alta Mesa Project and reduced by some costs related to various development costs.

Energy Fuels stated ($ refers to US$):

The Company sold 300,000 pounds of uranium at a gross margin of 58%, 79,344 pounds of vanadium at a gross margin of 37%, and the Alta Mesa property for a total gain of $116.45 million; Working capital increased, total assets increased, and total liabilities decreased.

Looking out to the rest of 2023 Market Screener forecasts that Energy Fuels will achieve full year 2023 net profit of C$129 million, and a PE of 18.26.

2024 won’t have the Alta Mesa Project sale boost, but should hopefully be a good result if Energy Fuels continues to ramp production and sales from their large inventory.

As of March 31, 2023, the Company held 847,000 pounds of finished U3O8, 906,000 pounds of finished V2O5, and 250 metric tons of finished high-purity, partially separated mixed REE carbonate in inventory. The Company holds an additional 394,000 pounds of U3O8 as raw materials and work-in-progress inventory and 1-3 million pounds of solubilized V2O5 in tailings solutions that could be recovered in the future.

Energy Fuels state ($ refers to US$):

As of March 31, 2023, the Company had a robust balance sheet with $143.61 million of working capital (versus $116.97 million at December 31, 2022), including $43.83 million of cash and cash equivalents, $60.44 million of marketable securities, $38.00 million of inventory, and no debt. At current commodity prices, the Company’s product inventory has a value of $52.53 million.

Expansion plans and vertical integration from the newly acquired Bahia Heavy Mineral Sand & Rare Earth Project in Brazil

Energy Fuels’ new Bahia Project in Brazil is a well known heavy mineral sand deposit that has the potential to supply 3,000 – 10,000 metric tons (“MT”) of natural monazite concentrate per year for decades to Energy Fuels’ White Mesa Mill in Utah for processing into high-purity rare earth element oxides and other materials.

Energy Fuels state:

“While Energy Fuels’ primary interest in acquiring the Bahia Project is the REE-bearing monazite, the Bahia Project is also expected to produce large quantities of high-quality titanium (ilmenite and rutile) and zirconium (zircon) minerals that are also in high demand. 3,000 – 10,000 MT of monazite concentrate contains roughly 1,500 – 5,000 MT of total REE oxides (“TREO“), including 300 – 1,000 MT of neodymium-praseodymium (“NdPr“) and significant commercial quantities of dysprosium (“Dy“) and terbium (“Tb“)……..The uranium contained in the monazite, which is expected to be comparable to typical Colorado Plateau uranium deposits, will also be recovered at the Mill.”

Energy Fuels expects to receive monazite concentrates from the Bahia Project at a very low cost within the next few years.

Bahia Heavy Mineral Sand & Rare Earth Project in Brazil

Source: Energy Fuels May 2023 company presentation

Closing remarks

Energy Fuels has turned the corner becoming profitable again in 2023. Energy Fuels now has US$143.61 million of working capital which will greatly assist the Company progress with its aggressive plans to rapidly grow its USA rare earths processing business and vertical integration via the Bahia Heavy Mineral Sand and Rare Earth Project in Brazil. Added to this are the uranium and vanadium sales from their Utah Mill.

At a time when so many people are talking about the need to ramp up a supply chain of critical minerals, Energy Fuels is taking action to do just that.

Energy Fuels trades on a market cap of US$903 million or C$1.226 billion.




Pat Ryan Discusses Ucore’s Competitive Edge in the North American Rare Earths Supply Chain

In this InvestorIntel interview, Tracy Weslosky talks with Ucore Rare Metals Inc.’s (TSXV: UCU | OTCQX: UURAF) CEO and Chairman Pat Ryan about Ucore’s first planned rare earths separation and oxide production facility within the England Airpark in Alexandria, Louisiana.

Pat explains that the selection of the 80,800 square-foot facility was based on critical success markers such as streamlined logistics, access to chemicals and reagents, attractive energy costs, labor pool robustness, and community support, including technical education infrastructure.

Highlighting the absence of a rare earths oxides separation facility in North America, Pat discusses how Ucore is focused on high-margin, individual rare earth oxide production using its proprietary RapidSX™ rare earths separation technology in an ESG-friendly manner.

Pat explains how RapidSX™ technology delivers more throughput per square foot with reasonable capital expenditures, and quicker processing time using less chemicals and power than conventional solvent extraction.

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About Ucore Rare Metals Inc.

Ucore is focused on rare- and critical-metal separation technologies targeting production, scalability, and growth. Ucore’s vision and plan are to become a leading advanced technology company, providing best-in-class metal separation products and services to the nascent North American rare earths (REE) supply chain. This plan includes the near-term development of a heavy and light rare-earth processing facility in Louisiana, with subsequent facilities in Canada, Alaska and the longer-term development of Ucore’s heavy-rare-earth-element mineral-resource property at Bokan Mountain on Prince of Wales Island, Alaska. Ucore is listed on the TSXV under the trading symbol “UCU” and in the United States on the OTC Markets’ OTCQX® Best Market under the ticker symbol “UURAF.”

To learn more about Ucore Rare Metals Inc., click here.

Disclaimer: Ucore Rare Metals Inc. is an advertorial member of InvestorIntel Corp.

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This presentation may contain “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities legislation. Forward-looking statements are based on the opinions and assumptions of the management of the Company as of the date made. They are inherently susceptible to uncertainty and other factors that could cause actual events/results to differ materially from these forward-looking statements. Additional risks and uncertainties, including those that the Company does not know about now or that it currently deems immaterial, may also adversely affect the Company’s business or any investment therein.

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