US Critical Materials and Idaho National Laboratory have entered into a Phase II Cooperative Research and Development Agreement (CRADA) to establish a pilot-scale processing plant capable of producing rare earths domestically. <\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
The pilot plant, which will be built on the INL campus, will process 1-2 tons of high-grade ore per day from US Critical Materials\u2019 Sheep Creek project in southwest Montana. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
“There is no more pressing national security issue than securing America’s supply of rare earths and critical minerals,” said Jim Hedrick, president of US Critical Materials, and former US Geological Survey rare earths commodity specialist. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
“These materials are the backbone of our military, energy, and technological dominance. This pilot plant will accelerate the development of next-generation separation and refining methods to ensure America no longer relies on foreign adversaries for resources essential to national defense.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Since early last year, Phase I CRADA researchers have confirmed the high concentrations of gallium and rare earth elements in the Sheep Creek ore body. The pilot facility will now validate proprietary processing methodologies at scale, ensuring full-scale production capability for America’s defense needs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n