Phoenix Tailings says it has opened one of the first domestic rare earth metallisation facilities with zero reliance on Chinese inputs, equipment, or technology in the US.
Initially, the facility will produce 200 tons (181 t) of both light and heavy rare earth metals each year, with the capacity to scale to more than 1,000 tons per year. This capacity will be able to supply the entire US defence industrial base and ensure the economy remains resilient as rare earths become an increasing challenge, the company claims.
Nick Myers, co-Founder and CEO of Phoenix Tailings, said: “We are opening this facility at a critical point for the United States. For decades, China has dominated the global rare earth supply chain, which places the autonomy of the United States at risk. By focusing on the challenge of metallisation, our newest facility unlocks the rest of the supply chain in the United States and protects our nation’s freedom.
“As we continue to expand, we’re committed to working alongside industry partners, government agencies and the private sector to build a longstanding, American rare earths supply chain from tailings to metal.”
Phoenix Tailings says it specialises in stabilised chemistries and leverages them on each part of the supply chain. With a particular emphasis in this facility on the process of converting oxide to metal – referred to as metallisation – Phoenix is positioned to support a burgeoning industry of rare earths outside of China.
Myers added: “Every rare earth mine, recycler and magnet company needs metallisation in the supply chain – but the United States has lacked reliable capacity for decades. This facility brings that capability to market, reliably supplying America and her allies. This development also advances our company towards our ultimate vision of serving the full value chain from tailings to metal.”
Phoenix Tailings sells to customers within the US and allied nations in the automotive, defence and medical device sectors. The Exeter facility is one of the largest rare earth metal-making facilities in the Western world, it claims. It will initially produce neodymium-praseodymium (NdPr) and dysprosium-iron alloy (DyFe) and expand to include dysprosium (Dy), terbium (Tb), samarium (Sm), yttrium (Yt), gadolinium (Gd), germanium (Ge), gallium (Ga) and other key metals. Phoenix’s facility in Burlington, Massachusetts, which opened in 2023, will also continue production of heavy and light rare earth metals.
