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Ucore Demonstrates Louisiana-SMC Heavy Rare Earth Processing Flowsheet at Kingston Ontario Commercialization Facility

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Ucore Rare Metals Inc. (TSXV: UCU) (OTCQX: UURAF) has provided an update on the commercialization of its RapidSX™ rare earth separation technology. The company is demonstrating the technology at its Commercialization and Demonstration Facility (CDF) in Kingston, Ontario, while also trialing ancillary systems for its future Louisiana Strategic Metals Complex (SMC). Key developments include:

1. Processing mixed rare earth oxide and carbonate feedstocks
2. Developing ancillary processing systems
3. Conducting product qualification for potential Western partners
4. Operating a 52-stage RapidSX™ Demonstration Plant
5. Designing and testing various processes, including cerium depletion and yttrium removal
6. Producing rare earth oxides for end-user qualifications

These advancements position Ucore as a potential first mover in Western commercial heavy rare earth processing, aiming to disrupt China's control of the North American REE supply chain.

Ucore Rare Metals Inc. (TSXV: UCU) (OTCQX: UURAF) ha fornito un aggiornamento sulla commercializzazione della sua tecnologia di separazione RapidSX™ per terre rare. L'azienda sta dimostrando la tecnologia presso la sua Struttura di Commercializzazione e Dimostrazione (CDF) a Kingston, Ontario, mentre sta testando anche sistemi ausiliari per il futuro Complesso di Metalli Strategici della Louisiana (SMC). I principali sviluppi includono:

1. Elaborazione di materie prime miste di ossidi e carbonati di terre rare
2. Sviluppo di sistemi di elaborazione ausiliari
3. Conduzione di qualificazione del prodotto per potenziali partner occidentali
4. Funzionamento di un impianto dimostrativo RapidSX™ a 52 stadi
5. Progettazione e collaudo di vari processi, inclusa l'eliminazione del cerio e la rimozione dello yttrio
6. Produzione di ossidi di terre rare per le qualificazioni degli utenti finali

Questi progressi pongono Ucore come un potenziale pioniere nella lavorazione commerciale di terre rare pesanti in Occidente, mirano a interrompere il controllo della Cina sulla catena di fornitura degli REE in Nord America.

Ucore Rare Metals Inc. (TSXV: UCU) (OTCQX: UURAF) ha proporcionado una actualización sobre la comercialización de su tecnología de separación de RapidSX™ para tierras raras. La compañía está demostrando la tecnología en su Instalación de Comercialización y Demostración (CDF) en Kingston, Ontario, mientras también prueba sistemas auxiliares para su futuro Complejo de Metales Estratégicos de Louisiana (SMC). Los principales desarrollos incluyen:

1. Procesamiento de materias primas mezcladas de óxido y carbonato de tierras raras
2. Desarrollo de sistemas de procesamiento auxiliares
3. Realización de calificación del producto para posibles socios occidentales
4. Operación de una Planta de Demostración RapidSX™ de 52 etapas
5. Diseño y prueba de varios procesos, incluyendo la eliminación de cerio y la remoción de itrio
6. Producción de óxidos de tierras raras para la calificación de los usuarios finales

Estos avances posicionan a Ucore como un posible pionero en el procesamiento comercial de tierras raras pesadas en Occidente, con el objetivo de interrumpir el control de China sobre la cadena de suministro de REE en América del Norte.

Ucore Rare Metals Inc. (TSXV: UCU) (OTCQX: UURAF)는 자신의 RapidSX™ 희토류 분리 기술의 상업화에 대한 업데이트를 제공했습니다. 이 회사는 온타리오 주 킹스턴에 있는 상업화 및 시연 시설(CDF)에서 기술을 시연하고 있으며, 향후 루이지애나 전략 금속 복합단지(SMC)를 위한 보조 시스템을 시험하고 있습니다. 주요 개발 사항은 다음과 같습니다:

1. 혼합 희토류 산화물 및 탄산염 원료 처리
2. 보조 처리 시스템 개발
3. 잠재적 서방 파트너를 위한 제품 자격 테스트 수행
4. 52단계 RapidSX™ 시연 공장 운영
5. 세륨 고갈 및 이트륨 제거를 포함한 다양한 공정 설계 및 테스트
6. 최종 사용자 자격을 위한 희토류 산화물 생산

이러한 진전은 Ucore를 서방 희토류 상업 처리를 위한 잠재적 선도주자로 만들어, 북미 REE 공급망에서 중국의 통제를 방해하려는 목표를 가지고 있습니다.

Ucore Rare Metals Inc. (TSXV: UCU) (OTCQX: UURAF) a fourni une mise à jour sur la commercialisation de sa technologie de séparation RapidSX™ pour les terres rares. L'entreprise démontre la technologie dans son Installation de Commercialisation et de Démonstration (CDF) à Kingston, Ontario, tout en testant également des systèmes auxiliaires pour son futur Complexe de Métaux Stratégiques de Louisiane (SMC). Les développements clés incluent :

1. Traitement de matières premières mélangées d'oxydes et de carbonates de terres rares
2. Développement de systèmes de traitement auxiliaires
3. Réalisation de qualifications de produits pour de potentiels partenaires occidentaux
4. Exploitation d'une Usine de Démonstration RapidSX™ de 52 étapes
5. Conception et test de divers processus, y compris l'épuisement du cérium et l'élimination de l'yttrium
6. Production d'oxydes de terres rares pour les qualifications des utilisateurs finaux

Ces avancées positionnent Ucore comme un acteur potentiel dans le traitement commercial des terres rares lourdes en Occident, visant à perturber le contrôle de la Chine sur la chaîne d'approvisionnement nord-américaine des REE.

Ucore Rare Metals Inc. (TSXV: UCU) (OTCQX: UURAF) hat ein Update zur Kommerzialisierung seiner RapidSX™-Technologie zur Trennung seltener Erden bereitgestellt. Das Unternehmen demonstriert die Technologie in seiner Kommerzialisierungs- und Demonstrationsanlage (CDF) in Kingston, Ontario, und testet gleichzeitig ergänzende Systeme für seinen zukünftigen Louisiana Strategic Metals Complex (SMC). Wichtige Entwicklungen umfassen:

1. Verarbeitung von gemischten seltenerdeoxid und karbonat rohstoffen
2. Entwicklung ergänzender Verarbeitungssysteme
3. Durchführung von Produktqualifikationen für potenzielle westliche Partner
4. Betrieb einer 52-stufigen RapidSX™ Demonstrationsanlage
5. Entwurf und Test verschiedener Prozesse, einschließlich Cerium-Abbau und Yttrium-Entfernung
6. Produktion von seltenerdeoxiden für die Qualifikation der Endverbraucher

Diese Fortschritte positionieren Ucore als einen potenziellen Vorreiter im westlichen kommerziellen Prozess von schweren seltenen Erden und zielen darauf ab, die Kontrolle Chinas über die nordamerikanische REE-Lieferkette zu stören.

Positive
  • Demonstration of RapidSX™ technology for heavy and light rare earth element separation
  • Development of ancillary systems for future commercial production
  • Operation of a 52-stage RapidSX™ Demonstration Plant processing tonnes of feedstock
  • Advancements in mechanical and control systems for the RapidSX™ platform
  • Production of rare earth oxides for end-user qualifications
  • Positioning as a potential first mover in Western commercial heavy rare earth processing
Negative
  • None.

Halifax, Nova Scotia--(Newsfile Corp. - September 12, 2024) - Ucore Rare Metals Inc. (TSXV: UCU) (OTCQX: UURAF) ("Ucore" or the "Company") is pleased to provide an update on its latest advancements associated with the commercialization of its RapidSX rare earth separation technology. In addition to demonstrating its patent-pending RapidSX technology platform at the Commercialization and Demonstration Facility ("CDF") in Kingston, Ontario, for the separation of heavy and light rare earth elements ("REE"), the Company is trialing a number of ancillary systems to demonstrate the entire commercial flowsheet. These systems will ultimately be incorporated into Ucore's first commercial REE separation and rare earth oxide ("REO") production facility in Alexandria, Louisiana - the Louisiana Strategic Metals Complex ("SMC").

In parallel with a dedicated technical team, the CDF operates seven days per week, serving multiple purposes, requiring dedicated shift and activity schedules, namely:

  • the processing of mixed rare earth oxide ("MREO") and carbonate ("MREC") feedstocks over thousands of runtime hours to further the Company's two government demonstration projects;

  • to develop and demonstrate an array of ancillary processing systems with the deployment of the RapidSX™ technology platform in a rigorous production environment; and

  • conduct product qualification work to meet prospective Western world partners' commercial interests and associated specifications.

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Figure 1 - Ucore's 52-stage RapidSX™ Commercial Demo Plant in Kingston, Ontario

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RapidSX™ Operations

The Company schedules its 52-stage RapidSX™ Demonstration Plant ("Demo Plant") to operate 120 hours per week processing tonnes of feedstock in a simulated commercial environment. The completely automated system incorporates approximately 600 feedback sensors, which include monitoring acidity levels (pH), aqueous and organic interface levels, tank levels, and system pressures and flow rates, all of which are controlled by multiple programmable logic controllers ("PLCs") and a single operator at a central control station.

Since the Demo Plant was commissioned in late 2023, through a dedicated program of continuous improvement, the Ucore team has developed significant enhancements to the mechanical and control systems that deliver and remove the organic and aqueous solutions to each RapidSX™ stage. This is an essential component of the final "copy and paste" knowledge transfer process from the CDF to the SMC to ensure a robust and proven technology platform delivering best-in-class competitive processing versus that of the People's Republic of China.

Full Scope Operations

The purpose of the CDF is the demonstration of the entire rare earth refining flowsheet, which extends well beyond the separation of REEs utilizing the RapidSX™ system. The Company has been engaged in the development and demonstration of the associated operations, including:

  • design and testing of an optimized Cerium depletion process;

  • direct leaching of heavy MREO and light MREC, eliminating the pre-leaching calcining step traditionally required in the processing of MRECs;

  • development of a dedicated yttrium removal process;

  • design and installation of a distillation system for the concentration of produced rare earth chlorides and the recovery and recycling of hydrochloric acid;

  • design and installation of a neutralization system to recycle and manage the generated rare earth chloride solutions; and

  • development of a batch-level process for light and heavy rare earth oxide production.

End User Qualifications

Since the commencement of Kingston operations, Ucore has had numerous confidential requests for REO products produced to specifications from Western world end users. The CDF produces heavy and light rare earth chlorides from various feedstocks, including monazite, bastnaesite, ionic clays, and xenotime sources. This has been complemented by the development of a dedicated batch-level process area within the CDF for the production of kilogram quantities of rare earth oxides from the generated rare earth chlorides. This is the final processing step of the planned commercial REO production facility.

"It is an exceptionally exciting time for the Company," stated Mike Schrider, P.E., Vice President and Chief Operating Officer of Ucore. "The innovative work being completed at our Commercial Demonstration Facility strongly positions us as a first mover in the Western commercial heavy rare earth processing space as we continue to execute our plan for production in Louisiana.

"The Company is making daily advancements in our integrated knowledge of applying the chemistry of solvent extraction with our computerized column technology platform to the intricate separations involved with heavy rare earth elements. Our flowsheet development and demonstration work in Kingston are essential risk mitigation steps to help us achieve our Louisiana SMC commercial objectives."

The Company has hosted numerous visitors at the CDF over the past several months, including both potential feedstock and offtake partners, as well as supply chain alignment discussions with a variety of industry participants.

# # #

 About Ucore Rare Metals Inc.

Ucore is focused on rare- and critical-metal resources, extraction, beneficiation, and separation technologies with the potential for production, growth, and scalability. Ucore's vision and plan is to become a leading advanced technology company, providing best-in-class metal separation products and services to the mining and mineral extraction industry.

Through strategic partnerships, this plan includes disrupting the People's Republic of China's control of the North American REE supply chain through the near-term establishment of a heavy and light rare-earth processing facility in the U.S. State of Louisiana, subsequent Strategic Metal Complexes in Canada and Alaska and the longer-term development of Ucore's 100% controlled Bokan-Dotson Ridge Rare Heavy REE Project on Prince of Wales Island in Southeast Alaska, USA.

Ucore is listed on the TSXV under the trading symbol "UCU" and in the United States on the OTC Markets' OTCQX® Best Market under the ticker symbol "UURAF."

For further information, please visit www.ucore.com.

Forward-Looking Statements

This press release includes certain statements that may be deemed "forward-looking statements." All statements in this release (other than statements of historical facts) that address future business development, technological development and/or acquisition activities (including any related required financings), timelines, events, or developments that the Company is pursuing are forward-looking statements. Although the Company believes the expectations expressed in such forward-looking statements are based on reasonable assumptions, such statements are not guarantees of future performance or results, and actual results or developments may differ materially from those in forward-looking statements.

Regarding any disclosure in the press release above about the US Department of Defense or the Government of Canada Programs and the expected successful progress and resulting milestone payments from these Programs, the Company has assumed that the Programs (including each of their milestones) will be completed satisfactorily. For additional risks and uncertainties regarding the Company, the CDF, the Demo Plant and ongoing Programs (generally), see the risk disclosure in the Company's MD&A for Q3-2023 (filed on SEDAR on August 27, 2024) (www.sedarplus.ca) as well as the risks described below.

Regarding the disclosure above in the "About Ucore Rare Metals Inc." section, the Company has assumed that it will be able to procure or retain additional partners and/or suppliers, in addition to Innovation Metals Corp. ("IMC"), as suppliers for Ucore's expected future Strategic Metals Complexes ("SMCs"). Ucore has also assumed that sufficient external funding will be found to complete the Demo Plant demonstration schedule and also later prepare a new National Instrument 43-101 ("NI 43-101") technical report that demonstrates that the Bokan Mountain Rare Earth Element project ("Bokan") is feasible and economically viable for the production of both REE and co-product metals and the then prevailing market prices based upon assumed customer offtake agreements. Ucore has also assumed that sufficient external funding will be secured to continue the development of the specific engineering plans for the SMCs and their construction. Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those in forward-looking statements include, without limitation: IMC failing to protect its intellectual property rights in RapidSX™; RapidSX™ failing to demonstrate commercial viability in large commercial-scale applications; Ucore not being able to procure additional key partners or suppliers for the SMCs; Ucore not being able to raise sufficient funds to fund the specific design and construction of the SMCs and/or the continued development of RapidSX™; adverse capital-market conditions; unexpected due-diligence findings; the emergence of alternative superior metallurgy and metal-separation technologies; the inability of Ucore and/or IMC to retain its key staff members; a change in the legislation in Louisiana or Alaska and/or in the support expressed by the Alaska Industrial Development and Export Authority ("AIDEA") regarding the development of Bokan; the availability and procurement of any required interim and/or long-term financing that may be required; and general economic, market or business conditions.

Neither the TSXV nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined by the TSXV) accept responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

CONTACTS

Mr. Michael Schrider, P.E., Ucore Vice President and Chief Operating Officer, is responsible for the content of this news release and may be contacted at 1.902.482.5214.

For additional information, please contact:

Mark MacDonald
Vice President, Investor Relations
Ucore Rare Metals Inc.
1.902.482.5214
mark@ucore.com

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/223106

FAQ

What is Ucore's RapidSX™ technology used for?

Ucore's RapidSX™ technology is used for the separation of heavy and light rare earth elements (REEs). It's being demonstrated at the company's Commercialization and Demonstration Facility in Kingston, Ontario, as part of Ucore's plan to establish rare earth processing facilities in North America.

Where is Ucore (UURAF) planning to build its first commercial REE separation facility?

Ucore (UURAF) is planning to build its first commercial rare earth element (REE) separation and rare earth oxide (REO) production facility in Alexandria, Louisiana. This facility is called the Louisiana Strategic Metals Complex (SMC).

What advancements has Ucore (UURAF) made in its RapidSX™ Demonstration Plant?

Ucore (UURAF) has made significant advancements in its 52-stage RapidSX™ Demonstration Plant, including improvements to mechanical and control systems, automation with 600 feedback sensors, and the ability to process tonnes of feedstock in a simulated commercial environment. These enhancements are important for the technology transfer to the planned Louisiana facility.

What is Ucore's (UURAF) strategy to compete with China in the REE market?

Ucore's (UURAF) strategy to compete with China in the REE market involves establishing a heavy and light rare-earth processing facility in Louisiana, developing additional Strategic Metal Complexes in Canada and Alaska, and advancing its Bokan-Dotson Ridge Rare Heavy REE Project in Alaska. The company aims to disrupt China's control of the North American REE supply chain.

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