Aclara Resources Inc. (Vancouver, B.C., Canada) announced a strategic partnership with Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University (Virginia Tech; Blacksburg, Va.) for the operation of its rare earths (REE) separation pilot plant. The facility will showcase Aclara’s solvent extraction technology for producing individual high-purity light and heavy rare earth elements (HREEs). The partnership has been initiated through a non-binding memorandum of understanding (MoU) between Aclara Technologies Inc., Aclara’s U.S.-based subsidiary, and Virginia Tech. The MoU lays the groundwork for a long-term academic and scientific alliance, which will be formalized through definitive agreements between the parties.
The separation pilot plant, currently under implementation at the Virginia Tech Corporate Research Center, has been specifically designed based on the characteristics of Aclara’s Carina Project mixed rare earth carbonate production. This will be a unique facility, distinguished by its access to a sustainable source of heavy rare earth feedstock, supplied by Aclara’s pilot plant for mixed rare earth carbonates, currently operating in Goiânia, Goiás, Brazil. The facility is expected to produce over 99.5% pure didymium (NdPr), terbium (Tb), and dysprosium (Dy), demonstrating the seamless integration of Aclara’s Brazil and U.S. operations.
This partnership underscores Aclara and Virginia Tech’s shared commitment to securing a robust and sustainable domestic supply chain for critical HREE.
Hugh Broadhurst, Aclara’s Chief Operating Officer, commented: “Our partnership with Virginia Tech marks a strategic milestone in Aclara’s mission to address the critical vulnerability in the supply of heavy rare earths outside of China. By combining our HREE-rich feedstock and proprietary separation technology with Virginia Tech’s academic excellence, we’re delivering a concrete, integrated, independent and resilient solution to address a critical vulnerability for the United States and other countries. We are thankful for Virginia Tech’s partnership and support and look forward to a long-term alliance that advances innovation, talent development, sustainable technology, and scientific leadership. This is just the beginning of something truly meaningful and a game-changer in the supply of HREE.”
Dr. Aaron Noble, Professor and Department Head, Mining and Minerals Engineering, and Interim Department Head, Materials Science and Engineering, commented: “I am incredibly excited about this groundbreaking partnership between Aclara and Virginia Tech, as it represents a strategic alignment of values and vision. Aclara’s leadership in rare earth extraction and processing complements our department’s commitment to advancing technology and preparing future leaders in the mining industry. Once installed on the Virginia Tech campus, their pilot facility will bring cutting-edge industrial innovation to our doorstep while creating transformative opportunities to advance our ongoing R&D efforts in REE separations. Most importantly, it will provide a unique platform for hands-on training and experiential learning-hallmarks of the Virginia Tech educational experience and essential for the next-generation REE workforce. This collaboration is a bold step that aligns research, education, and innovation to tackle some of the most pressing challenges in the mining industry.”
Virginia Tech, through the work of Dr. Aaron Noble and colleagues in the Department of Mining and Minerals Engineering, has led several U.S. Department of Energy-funded projects focused on various aspects of the REE supply chain, from resource exploration to processing and recovery to elemental separations and refining. Over the last 10 years, Noble and colleagues in his department have completed over 64 federally sponsored REE R&D projects in total research funding exceeding $32 million. Dr. Noble also collaborated with multiple U.S. universities to explore cost-effective and environmentally responsible mining and processing solutions. Together, these efforts have positioned Virginia Tech as a national leader in REE research and technology development.
Through this partnership, Aclara and Virginia Tech agree to establish a collaborative framework to provide Virginia Tech’s students and faculty with access to Aclara’s piloting facilities, to foster research and job opportunities in rare earths separation technology, and to provide Aclara with access to those research ideas and potential professionals for its future workforce. Both Parties expect to benefit from increased visibility and networking opportunities through Aclara’s piloting facilities, which are expected to attract investors, journalists, government officials, industry companies, and technology developers.