ACLARA PARTNERS WITH JOGMEC FOR HEAVY RARE EARTH-IONIC CLAY EXPLORATION IN BRAZIL

Aclara Resources Inc. (ARA) has entered into a joint venture with JOGMEC (Japan Organization for Metals and Energy Security) to explore heavy rare earth-ionic clay deposits in Brazil. Under the agreement, JOGMEC will fund up to US$3.0 million over a three-year earn-in period, with an option to contribute an additional US$1.5 million to extend the period by one year. Upon satisfying these funding commitments, JOGMEC gains the option to acquire a 30% participating interest in one of Aclara's Brazilian exploration projects.

The Carina Project remains 100% owned by Aclara and is explicitly excluded from this joint venture. JOGMEC holds offtake rights to purchase production equivalent to its participating interest plus an additional 10% on arm's-length commercial terms. JOGMEC may assign its rights to Japanese companies or consortiums, while Aclara serves as the operator during the earn-in period.

Aclara Resources Inc. (ARA) announced a US$3.0 million funding commitment from JOGMEC, a Japanese governmental agency dedicated to securing critical mineral supply chains. While the funding is financially immaterial relative to the company’s projected US$1.2 billion+ capital requirement for its integrated supply chain, the strategic impact is significant. JOGMEC’s involvement validates Aclara’s Western-aligned, ESG-compliant technology and helps reduce geopolitical supply chain risk.

The agreement includes an offtake right for 30% + 10% of future production, providing a potential anchor customer. However, this right is strictly conditional on successful exploration and earning-in, and does not guarantee immediate revenue. The announcement aligns with Aclara’s historical focus on securing strategic partnerships, such as those with the DFC, CAP, and VAC, to de-risk development. This news is incremental to the broader strategy of securing Japanese and Western offtake and government backing, and it does not alter the immediate financial outlook or the timeline for the bankable Carina or Dynamo projects.

Aclara Resources Inc. (ARA) is developing a vertically integrated, Western-aligned rare earth supply chain, focusing on heavy rare earths (HREEs) and light rare earths (LREEs). The company’s flagship asset is the Carina Project in Goiás, Brazil. An NI 43-101 Feasibility Study filed in April 2026 shows an after-tax NPV of US$1.7 billion (8% discount), IRR of 26.9%, and an 18-year life of mine. It projects ~4,378 t/yr of rare earth oxides, including 156 t Dy and 27 t Tb.

Other projects include the Penco Module in Chile, Project Dynamo, a separation facility in Louisiana, and a Metals & Alloys JV with CAP. The company utilizes proprietary "Circular Mineral Harvesting" technology, which features low water usage, no tailings, and 93%+ water recirculation, alongside solvent extraction and molten salt electrolysis for downstream processing.

Management is led by CEO Ramón Barúa, former CFO at Hochschild Mining, with a board chaired by Eduardo Hochschild, former BHP VP Americas. The team brings deep mining, finance, and engineering expertise.