Aclara Resources talks Carina site visit with eVAC, VAC

Executive Summary

• Aclara Resources hosted representatives from eVAC Magnetics LLC and Vacuumschmelze (VAC) at its Carina project pilot plant in Brazil to strengthen collaboration on a mine-to-magnets supply chain.
• The visit highlighted the production of approximately 150 kilometers of high-purity mixed rare earth carbonates (MREC) via Aclara's proprietary circular mineral harvesting process.
• Aclara outlined its vertical integration strategy, including a planned separation facility in Louisiana and a metals/alloys joint venture with CAP SA, aiming to supply heavy rare earth elements by mid-2028.

Key Details

• Pilot Plant Output: Aclara’s Carina project pilot facility in Goias, Brazil, produced approximately 150 kilometres of high-purity mixed rare earth carbonates (MREC).
• Supply Chain Integration: The collaboration aims to create an ESG-focused, integrated rare earths supply chain for permanent magnets, linking Aclara’s mining in Brazil to VAC’s magnet manufacturing in the US and globally.
• Louisiana Separation Facility: Aclara plans to refine high-purity MREC into individual rare earth oxides at a recently announced separation facility in Louisiana, USA.
• Alloys Processing: Aclara envisions developing metals and alloys processing capabilities at the Louisiana site to convert oxides into specialized alloys for magnet production.
• eVAC Facility Status: eVAC’s magnet production facility in South Carolina, USA, opened this year.
• MoU Terms: The visit reinforces a 2024 Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between Aclara and VAC to:
  • Collaborate technically and commercially for a cost-effective, geopolitically independent supply chain.
  • Jointly engage with automakers and industrial customers for an ESG-compliant solution.
  • Align product specifications and cost models between Aclara’s oxides/alloys and VAC’s manufacturing requirements.
• Vertical Integration Strategy: Aclara’s strategy spans:
  • Two ionic clay deposits rich in heavy rare earths (HREEs) in Brazil and Chile.
  • A US-based separation plant in Louisiana (first dedicated HREE separation facility in the US).
  • A metals and alloys joint venture with CAP SA to produce high-performance rare earth alloys.
• Production Timelines:
  • Aclara expects mining operations to be ready by mid-2028.
  • Construction of the Louisiana separation facility is scheduled for completion by the fourth quarter of 2027.
  • eVAC’s phase II upstream process extension to metallization is scheduled for early 2027 in South Carolina.

Notable Quotes

• Jose Palma, Executive Vice-President, Aclara: "VAC's visit to our pilot facilities represents another tangible step toward realizing our shared vision of an integrated, transparent and sustainable mine-to-magnets supply chain. Aclara is uniquely positioned to supply significant quantities of heavy rare earth elements by mid-2028, perfectly aligning with VAC's growth plans in the United States and globally."
• Scott Pelhank, Vice-President, VAC Sales, and Officer, eVAC Magnetics: "We were thrilled to visit the Carina project this week and discuss our shared goal of establishing a revolutionary mine-to-magnet supply chain in the western hemisphere. eVAC's phase II upstream process extension to metallization, scheduled for early 2027 in South Carolina, aligns perfectly with Aclara's downstream expansion of its oxide separation facility in Louisiana."