Curated News
By: NewsRamp Editorial Staff
August 28, 2025
Ucore Secures $18.4M DoD Award to Boost US Rare Earth Independence
TLDR
- Ucore's $18.4 million DoD award accelerates its Louisiana facility, positioning it to dominate domestic rare earth supply and reduce reliance on China.
- The funding supports detailed engineering, equipment procurement, and construction to scale RapidSX technology for commercial readiness by late 2026.
- This project strengthens U.S. rare earth independence, creating a more secure and sustainable supply chain for critical technologies.
- Ucore's innovative RapidSX platform uses column-based solvent extraction to revolutionize rare earth element separation methods.
Impact - Why it Matters
This development matters because it represents a critical step toward reducing Western dependence on China for rare earth elements, which are essential components in modern technologies including electric vehicles, wind turbines, smartphones, and defense systems. China currently controls approximately 80-90% of global rare earth production and processing, creating significant supply chain vulnerabilities for Western nations. Ucore's success in developing domestic processing capabilities could help secure supply chains for numerous industries, enhance national security by reducing reliance on geopolitical competitors, and create high-value manufacturing jobs in the United States. The timing is particularly crucial as the global transition to clean energy and advanced technologies continues to accelerate demand for these critical materials.
Summary
Ucore Rare Metals Inc. (TSX.V: UCU) (OTCQX: UURAF) has secured a significant $18.4 million phase 2 award from the U.S. Department of Defense to accelerate development of its Louisiana Strategic Metals Complex, positioning the company as a leader in domestic heavy rare earth element supply. This funding builds upon a successful $4 million phase 1 demonstration project and supports detailed engineering, long-lead equipment procurement, and early-stage construction at the Alexandria, Louisiana facility. The investment is specifically targeted at scaling Ucore's proprietary RapidSX™ column-based solvent extraction platform to commercial readiness, with mechanical completion of the facility projected for late 2026.
The company's innovative RapidSX™ technology, already proven under phase 1 funding, represents a breakthrough in rare earth element separation methods that aims to disrupt China's control over the North American REE supply chain. Ucore's vision extends beyond the Louisiana facility, with plans for subsequent strategic metals complexes in Canada and Alaska, plus the longer-term development of its fully controlled Bokan-Dotson Ridge Rare Heavy REE Project in Southeast Alaska. This comprehensive approach to rare and critical metal resources, extraction, and separation technologies demonstrates Ucore's commitment to becoming a leading advanced technology company in the mining and mineral extraction industry.
For investors seeking updates on UURAF, the company maintains an active newsroom through the Investor Brand Network, which provides specialized communications services through its Dynamic Brand Portfolio. MiningNewsWire, as part of this network, offers extensive distribution capabilities including wire solutions, article syndication to over 5,000 outlets, enhanced press release services, and social media distribution to millions of followers. This robust communications infrastructure ensures that developments in Ucore's groundbreaking work reach a wide audience of stakeholders and interested parties across the global mining sector.
Source Statement
This curated news summary relied on content disributed by InvestorBrandNetwork (IBN). Read the original source here, Ucore Secures $18.4M DoD Award to Boost US Rare Earth Independence
