HOUSTON, October 24th (Argus) - Canadian rare earth producer Aclara Resources will invest 277 million US dollars to develop a heavy rare earth separation facility in Louisiana. The company expects to produce dysprosium, terbium and other heavy and light rare earths.
The company stated that the factory is planned to be completed in 2027. If the factory reaches full production capacity, by 2028, it will supply more than 75% of the dysprosium and terbium needed for US electric vehicles.
The company expects Louisiana to provide approximately 46.4 million US dollars in tax incentives and grants for this project.
The facility will utilize the raw materials from the two ion clay deposits of the company in Brazil and Chile. It is expected to be put into operation in 2028. The company's target is to produce approximately 200 metric tons per year of dysprosium, 30 metric tons per year of terbium and 1,400 metric tons per year of praseodymium-neodymium oxide from these mine sites.
In April this year, Aclara began operating its pilot plant at the Carina project in Goiania, Brazil, and produced the first batch of rare earth concentrates in June. The company expects that the US International Development Finance Corporation will provide up to 5 million US dollars for this project.
In addition to the heavy and medium rare earth factory in Louisiana, Aclara also plans to build a metal and alloy factory near this separation plant.
