ReElement Technologies, a subsidiary of American Resources, has announced the production of ultra-high-purity gallium and terbium from defence-related feedstocks supplied by major US defence contractors.
In April 2024, ReElement extended its exclusive rights to utilise ligand-assisted displacement (LAD) chromatography technology, which was developed at Purdue University, to encompass all types of feedstocks including rare earth ores.
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The technology is used at ReElement’s Commercial Qualification Plant in Noblesville, Indiana, to produce materials of exceptional purity, cost-efficiency and environmental sustainability.
ReElement’s continuous chromatography process offers numerous advantages including the use of aqueous chemistry, which eliminates the need for toxic solvents.
This process also boasts lower capital expenditures, high versatility, and modular and scalable capacity, which aligns with the increasing availability of feedstocks.
Additionally, localised processing strengthens supply chain security and efficiency by reducing the need to transport raw ore globally.
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By GlobalDataReElement Technologies CEO Mark Jensen said: “Our platform continues to demonstrate unmatched versatility and performance in the global marketplace, enabling us to produce ultra-pure critical minerals required by the US defence sector and broader high-tech industries.
“We take a collaborative approach – inviting partners to send their materials to us for evaluation and refinement. Multiple defence clients have recently visited our facility, validated our process firsthand, and are now converting those evaluations into commercial opportunities.
“There is a significant amount of legacy material within the defence industry that has been historically landfilled. Now we can economically recover and refine these metals at a cost structure competitive with or even below Chinese suppliers. This is a transformative development for the sector.”
The refining platform, initially developed for pharmaceutical purification, has been adapted to separate rare earths and critical minerals effectively.
ReElement’s patented platform is programmable and can handle multiple feedstocks and minerals, allowing for rapid deployment across various locations and resource types.
This method contrasts with traditional solvent extraction methods as it uses fewer chemicals, requires less space and generates minimal waste.
This not only makes the process faster to permit but also simpler to co-locate near feedstock or end-use customers.
This is particularly crucial for the US, which aims to establish independence in critical mineral supply chains and reduce reliance on single-source processing.
Additionally, American Resources has secured strategic funding from South African investment firm Novare Holdings through ReElement Technologies.
This investment aims to catalyse the expansion of rare earth element refining operations in Marion, Indiana, US, with approximately $150m in combined equity and debt financing to enhance ReElement’s refining capabilities at its 42-acre site.
