ReElement Technologies has secured a Minor Source air permit for all four planned production lines at its rare earth element and critical mineral refinery in Marion, Indiana, US.
The company, in which American Resources holds a minority interest, announced that the permit covers installation, commissioning and operation of the facility’s production lines in compliance with specified emission limits and operating conditions.
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This allows ReElement Technologies to progress from regulatory requirements towards equipment installation and commercial commissioning at the Marion Supersite.
The facility is scheduled to produce high-purity separated products including dysprosium, gadolinium, gallium, germanium, neodymium, neodymium-praseodymium, samarium, terbium and yttrium from various recycled and virgin feedstocks.
According to the company, germanium and heavy rare earth elements make up a significant portion of its current order book, which draws from both commercial and defence sector customers.
ReElement Technologies’ Marion plant uses a chromatography-based separation and purification process for refining critical minerals.
The company reports that its modular approach to production allows for expansion by adding standardised production capacity, sharing common infrastructure and resources.
This approach differs from more conventional mineral processing facilities, which typically rely on extensive infrastructure and larger chemical volumes.
The air permitting process involved coordination with state and local authorities, as well as detailed technical reviews due to the facility’s refining methods.
ReElement stated that the review process was designed to meet environmental, health and safety standards while maintaining a commercially practical schedule.
With air permits now secured for phase one production, ReElement is focusing on completing installation and commissioning of the production lines and validating operational performance.
Once operational, the Marion facility is intended to support critical mineral supply chains for a range of sectors including domestic defence, energy, automotive, semiconductors and advanced manufacturing.
ReElement Technologies chairman and CEO Mark Jensen said: “Receiving the principal approvals necessary to operate the production lines represents a significant milestone in ReElement’s commercialisation.
“The speed, diligence and professionalism demonstrated by the State of Indiana, the City of Marion, Grant County, federal authorities and the permitting authorities show what is possible when government and industry work together with urgency, transparency and a shared commitment to rebuilding critical-mineral supply chains in the US.”
