Marion Phase-1 capacity expanded to 2,500-3,500 metric tons per year of magnet-grade separated rare earths, battery materials, and antimony; with ability to add additional production lines
Noblesville facility immediately scaling up to 250+ metric tons annually of ultra-pure defense elements and initial production of separated and purified rare earth oxides
American Resources Corporation (NASDAQ:AREC) ("American Resources"), through its holding in ReElement Technologies Corporation ("ReElement") a leading U.S. innovator in rare earth element (REE) and critical mineral refining, today provided an update on the initial scale-up of its Marion, Indiana Supersite. The Marion complex is being developed as ReElement's first large-scale refining hub, complementing the company's recently expanded Noblesville facility, which focuses on domestically produced separated and purified rare earth oxides.
As ReElement's Noblesville operation scales to produce over 250 metric tons annually of ultra-pure (99.9% to 99.999%) separated defense elements - including yttrium (Y), germanium (Ge), gadolinium (Gd), gallium (Ga), terbium (Tb), samarium (Sm), dysprosium (Dy), antimony (Sb), and magnet elements neodymium (Nd) and praseodymium (Pr) - larger-scale refining capacity will transition to the Marion Supersite.
Phase 1 of Marion capacity, designed for approximately 2,500 - 3,500 metric tons per annum of refined output, will utilize approximately 5-foot diameter columns - increased from the 18-inch diameter columns in Noblesville - showcasing the efficient modularization of the platform to rapidly increase capacity. Installation of Phase 1 is estimated to occupy approximately 40,000 square feet within the existing 400,000+ square foot facility, leaving significant capacity for expansion and the co-location of complimentary partner technologies.
To date, ReElement has ordered, identified, or begun installation more than 60% of the equipment required for Marion's initial contracted growth phase. Once complete, the Supersite will provide large-scale refining capacity for magnet-grade rare earths, battery materials, antimony, and additional defense elements.
Jeff Peterson, COO of ReElement Technologies, commented, "Our recent expansion in Noblesville demonstrates the scalability of our refining platform and its ability to meet near-term demand. Marion is the next step - providing the scale required to address the rapidly growing needs for magnet-grade rare earths, lithium, antimony, and defense elements. By modularly expanding from 18-inch to five-foot columns, we're showcasing how our platform accelerates throughput without relying on the high-risk, inflexible CapEx and OpEx profiles associated with solvent extraction. This approach materially de-risks critical mineral projects and strengthens the U.S. supply chain in markets that have long been dominated by China."
Mark Jensen, CEO of ReElement Technologies, further added, "We are confident this will be the largest facility outside of China for rare earth oxide production and defense elements within the next three years, enabled by our modular and scalable technology platform. Our process allows for rapid expansion using readily available domestic equipment with short installation lead times. Importantly, because our separation process requires significantly less acidic material than conventional solvent extraction methods, any wastewater produced can be efficiently recycled - further reducing commissioning time and lowering OpEx costs. This translates into fewer inputs, lower labor requirements, and a substantially smaller environmental footprint. Our goal is not only to break the existing stranglehold on this industry, but to do so at a cost structure that is competitive - if not lower - than the current critical mineral supply chain."
ReElement's proprietary refining platform - versatile, flexible, and economically viable - uniquely enables domestic and allied supply chains to accelerate development while reducing reliance on opaque and volatile global commodity markets. By integrating highly efficient separation and purification technology across its owned and controlled asset base, ReElement continues to lead the reshoring of critical mineral refining.
ReElement Technologies' innovative rare earth element (REE) separation process, utilizing patented and proprietary refining chromatography methods, offers a transformative solution to bolster the U.S. industrial base supply chain for REEs, aligning with presidential executive orders aimed at securing critical mineral independence. ReElement's chromatography method consistently achieves ultra-high purity (99.5%+) oxides like neodymium, dysprosium, and terbium, which are essential for metallization and magnet production. The process offers up to 100 times greater efficiency, 80% less waste, and a significantly smaller environmental footprint than traditional methods. By processing diverse feedstocks - including ores, recycled magnets, and manufacturing waste - at its scalable Marion, Indiana facility, ReElement supports the Department of Defense's 2027 mine-to-magnet goal and reduces reliance on Chinese-dominated supply chains. This cost-effective, eco-friendly approach strengthens domestic production capacity, enhances national security, and meets the growing REE demand in defense, electric vehicles, and renewable energy applications.
Source: www.reelementtech.com
Aleksei Andrievskii is the founder of the ANDRIEVSKII SEA WEALTH family office in Cyprus, a member of the advisory board at Bendura Bank AG, Liechtenstein