Terres rares : Exploration et production miniére

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suite de ce post du 28 juin 2026 : viewtopic.php?p=2425091#p2425091

Greenland approves Tanbreez mine plans through 2050
The Greenlandic authorities’ decision builds on the exploitation licence granted for the Tanbreez project in 2020.

Shree Mishra October 6, 2026

Critical Metals has secured formal approval from the Government of Greenland for the mining plan and closure plan at its Tanbreez project in southern Greenland.

The permissions, which extend until September 2050, cover the extraction of 19 critical elements and allow the company to progress towards construction of the mine.

The Greenlandic authorities’ decision builds on the exploitation licence granted for the Tanbreez project in 2020.

This approved mining plan sets out how Critical Metals, via its subsidiary Tanbreez Mining Greenland, will build and operate the mine at Killavaat Alannguat in south-west Greenland.

It also covers the construction of processing facilities, a port and supporting infrastructure in the area between Narsaq and Qaqortoq.

The closure plan outlines procedures for decommissioning and rehabilitation after the mine’s operational period, to ensure compliance with regulatory and environmental standards.

Critical Metals chairman and CEO Tony Sage said: “Approval of the Mining and Closure Plans is a defining milestone for Tanbreez and for Critical Metals. It gives us a clear framework through 2050 to responsibly develop one of the world’s largest heavy rare earth deposits, in partnership with the Government of Greenland and the communities of South Greenland.

“We thank the government and the Mineral Resources Authority for their thorough review, and we now move forward with the specific operating permits that will take us to construction.”

The government’s decision, granted under sections 77 and 80 of the Greenland Parliament Act on Mineral Activities and Exclusive Licence No. 2020-54, is seen as a major milestone for the project.

Among the approved elements are the heavy rare earths terbium, dysprosium and yttrium, as well as neodymium and praseodymium, commonly used in the production of permanent magnets for electric vehicles, wind turbines and electronic devices.

Other elements include zirconium, tantalum, hafnium and niobium, identified in official materials as being important for a range of advanced industries.

Before construction can commence, Critical Metals is required to obtain additional operating permits under sections 120 and 121 of the Greenland Mineral Activities Act.

These permits will cover environmental controls, marine transport, and health and safety, as well as procedures for the export and sale of minerals.

In March 2026, Critical Metals approved a $30m programme to expedite the development of the Tanbreez project.

https://www.mining-technology.com/news/ ... 0/?cf-view

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suite de ce post du 1er aout 2026 : viewtopic.php?p=2425883#p2425883

Terres rares : la future mine Ampasindava franchit un cap vers la construction à Madagascar

Agence Ecofin 12 oct 2026

Au-delà du graphite, dont il figure parmi les principaux producteurs africains, Madagascar dispose d’un potentiel minier diversifié, notamment dans les minerais critiques. Ce potentiel se concrétise entre autres à travers le développement de projets de terres rares, dont celui d’Ampasindava.

Harena Rare Earths a annoncé, lundi 12 octobre, la formalisation du permis d’exploitation de son projet de terres rares Ampasindava, à Madagascar. Cette étape réglementaire permet à la compagnie de poursuivre le développement de la future mine, dont la mise en production est prévue en 2028.

Cette avancée intervient après la signature, en août dernier, du cahier des charges minier avec les autorités malgaches. Selon Harena, la formalisation du permis confirme les engagements sociaux, environnementaux, techniques et financiers convenus dans ce cadre et permet de progresser vers la construction des installations prévues pour la première phase du projet. La note ne précise toutefois ni la durée de validité du permis ni les conditions fiscales et autres obligations qui lui sont associées.

D’après une étude de préfaisabilité publiée en janvier, Ampasindava nécessiterait un investissement initial de 142 millions USD. Sur une durée de vie de 20 ans, la mine devrait produire 71 000 tonnes d’oxydes de terres rares (TREO), dont du dysprosium et du terbium (DyTb), utilisés dans la fabrication d’aimants permanents, notamment pour les moteurs de véhicules électriques et l’électronique.

« La formalisation du permis d’exploitation constitue une étape majeure pour Harena et le projet Ampasindava ; elle s’appuie sur les conditions minières déjà convenues avec le gouvernement de Madagascar et nous permet de faire progresser le projet vers sa prochaine phase de développement […]. Notre priorité immédiate est désormais de mener à bien la procédure d’autorisation environnementale nécessaire pour passer au programme pilote », a déclaré Ivan Murphy, président exécutif de Harena Rare Earths.

L’approbation de l’étude d’impact environnemental et social (EIES), actuellement en cours, constitue une étape déterminante pour compléter les autorisations réglementaires nécessaires au projet. Elle doit permettre à Harena de déployer une usine pilote, destinée à affiner les paramètres techniques et la stratégie de développement d’Ampasindava. Une étude de faisabilité définitive doit ensuite préciser le modèle économique de la future mine.

Aucune échéance n’a été communiquée pour la finalisation de ces démarches. La mobilisation du financement et le lancement de la construction sont attendus en 2027, selon le calendrier présenté par la compagnie. À terme, Ampasindava pourrait contribuer à diversifier l’approvisionnement mondial en terres rares en dehors de la Chine, tout en générant des retombées locales en matière d’emplois et de recettes.

https://www.agenceecofin.com/actualites ... madagascar

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Gros projet de terres rares au Brésil : Caldeira project. Pour une mine et une usine de séparation de terres rares.

Lynas plans Brazil rare earths plant with state support

Gabriel García | October 12, 2026

Lynas Rare Earths (ASX: LYC) has presented plans to build a rare earth oxide separation plant in Brazil’s Minas Gerais state, Mines and Energy Minister Alexandre Silveira told MINING.COM, as the government considers backing a project that could become one of the largest such facilities outside China.

The proposal forms part of Lynas’ expansion into Brazil through its $672 million acquisition of Meteoric Resources, whose Caldeira project hosts one of the world’s largest known ionic-clay rare earth deposits outside China. State development bank BNDES is evaluating potential financing, according to people familiar with the discussions.

“The project to implement a rare earth oxide separation plant in the Poços de Caldas region, presented by the company, could be a milestone for Brazil to advance through different stages of the value chain, adding value to our product and moving the country away from being merely an exporter of raw materials,” Silveira said in written comments.

The proposed facility would give Brazil a foothold in commercial-scale rare earth separation, an industry dominated by China, while potentially creating processing capacity for other ionic-clay deposits being developed in southern Minas Gerais.

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The scale of Caldeira could underpin that ambition. Meteoric’s definitive feasibility study outlined a mineral resource of 1.63 billion tonnes grading 2,317 parts per million total rare earth oxides, including an ore reserve of 151 million tonnes at 3,524 ppm.

The project is designed to produce an average of about 12,500 tonnes of total rare earth oxides annually over a 23-year mine life, including neodymium-praseodymium and the heavy rare earths dysprosium and terbium.

The study estimated initial development capital at approximately $498 million, excluding the cost of a separate large-scale oxide separation facility.

That additional investment remains a key consideration as Brazil seeks to turn its rare earth exploration boom into an integrated domestic industry. Whether the proposed plant proceeds will depend on financing, regulatory approvals and Lynas’ final investment decision.

https://www.mining.com/lynas-plans-braz ... e-support/

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La compagnie Arafura Rare Earths en Australie conclu un accord de vente de terres rares à l'etats-unien Traxys pendant 5 ans:

Rinehart-backed Arafura expands US rare earths deal by 70%

Staff Writer | October 14, 2026


Nolans project location. (Image courtesy of Arafura Rare Earths | LinkedIn.)

Gina Rinehart-backed Arafura Rare Earths has agreed to supply Traxys North America with 850 tonnes of neodymium-praseodymium (NdPr) oxide a year from its Nolans project, up 70% from the volume in their original term sheet.


The binding agreement runs for five years, with an option to extend by two years by mutual consent. The May 2026 term sheet outlined annual deliveries of 500 tonnes of NdPr oxide and potential supplies of 7.5 tonnes of dysprosium-terbium oxides.

The supply deal comes as the US government is building a strategic reserve of critical minerals while helping protect manufacturers from supply disruptions. Traxys is one of three commodity trading and procurement companies selected to source and manage materials for the program.

The deal comes as the US seeks to reduce its reliance on China for rare earths, which are used in permanent magnets for defence equipment, electric vehicles and other advanced technologies.

Australia is also backing Nolans through its A$1.2 billion Critical Minerals Strategic Reserve, which has committed to buying 500 tonnes of NdPr oxide annually from the project. Hancock Prospecting, controlled by mining billionaire Rinehart, holds a 17.5% stake in Arafura.

Located about 135 km from Alice Springs, Nolans is being developed as Australia’s first integrated ore-to-oxide rare earths operation, with a mine, processing and separation plants, and supporting infrastructure. Construction began this month, with first production expected in mid-2029. Arafura says the project could meet about 5% of global rare earth demand.

The company is in discussions with other potential offtake partners as it advances the project.

https://www.mining.com/rinehart-backed- ... eal-by-70/

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Phoenix Tailings to build $375M rare earth plant in New York

Marina Meireles | October 20, 2026

Phoenix Tailings announced Tuesday it will build a $375-million commercial-scale rare earths processing facility in Rochester, New York, as the US looks to loosen China’s grip on minerals.


The plant, called Freedom Separation, will process more than 18,000 tons of both mined and recycled rare earth feedstock annually, producing over 4,400 tons per year of separated rare earth oxides at its full capacity. Production is expected to ramp up in 2027 before reaching full capacity in 2028.

“Technology can give America control over its critical supply chains, but it takes skilled, determined people to turn that promise into production,” Phoenix Tailings CEO and co-founder Nick Myers said in a statement. “Rochester has those people. They know how to build, how to innovate, and how to run world-class industrial operations.”


Phoenix Tailings selected Eastman Business Park in the city of Rochester for the 500,000-square-foot facility, citing its existing industrial infrastructure and local expertise in engineering, manufacturing, chemical processing and operations.

New York governor Kathy Hochul said the state will provide $3 million in performance-based tax credits for the project, Reuters reported.

“I am committed to supporting innovative projects and companies that are ready to invest in New York and bring good-paying jobs,” Hochul said. “Phoenix Tailings will not only create at least 90 new jobs at Eastman Business Park, further supporting our state’s innovation economy, but they will also play a critical role in bolstering our national security by building a supply chain for rare earth elements in New York.”

Federal backing

The Rochester facility forms part of Phoenix Tailings’ $1.2 billion Freedom project, a separation and metallization platform designed to close the gap in US midstream rare earth processing capacity.

The broader initiative is slated to generate more than 500 jobs across New York, Massachusetts and New Hampshire.

The Freedom Project has secured a $500-million conditional loan commitment from the Department of War’s Office of Strategic Capital. Phoenix’s new facility is also backed by democratic NY state governor and US Senator Chuck Schumer.

“This is critical for reducing our reliance on foreign processors and protecting our national security,” Schumer said. “I’ve long championed Eastman Business Park as a hub for manufacturing and am glad that new companies are recognizing what I have long known: Upstate New York is a prime destination for new manufacturing investments.”

(With files from Reuters)

https://www.mining.com/phoenix-tailings ... -new-york/

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suite de ce post du 28 juin 2026 : viewtopic.php?p=2425094#p2425094

Chile’s rare earth ambitions hit refining bottleneck

Staff Writer | October 21, 2026

Chile’s push to become a major rare earth supplier faces a costly industrial gap as the country advances mining and metal production projects without the separation capacity needed to build an integrated supply chain, according to a new study by GEM Mining Consulting.


The challenge came into focus with the Oct. 7 inauguration of a demonstration plant at Huachipato in Talcahuano, where Aclara Metals, a 50-50 joint venture between Aclara Resources (TSX: ARA) and Chilean industrial group CAP, is testing technology to convert rare earth oxides into metals and alloys. The facility can produce up to 175 kg of metal daily through molten salt electrolysis, targeting purity of at least 99.5%.

The plant will initially process neodymium and praseodymium (NdPr), with dysprosium potentially added later. GEM’s study, Rare Earths in Chile: What if the Biggest Opportunity Comes After the Mine?, warns that developing metallurgical expertise without domestic separation facilities could leave Chile dependent on overseas processors.

The findings underscore a broader challenge for countries seeking alternatives to China, which controls approximately 65% of global magnetic rare earth mining, 91% of separation and refining, and 94% of permanent magnet manufacturing, according to International Energy Agency data cited by GEM. The greatest opportunity may therefore lie in processing minerals rather than simply extracting more of them.

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Aclara’s Penco Module in the Biobío region received environmental approval in June. An updated preliminary economic assessment released this week values the project at $243 million (C$344 million). The company plans to recover rare earths from ionic clay deposits but still requires additional permits and faces community opposition.
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https://www.mining.com/chiles-rare-eart ... ottleneck/

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Un prospect de terre rares en Namibie : Bonya

Terres rares : 2027, une année de vérité pour le projet Bonya en Namibie

Agence Ecofin 28 oct 2026

Engagée depuis février 2026 dans l’acquisition de 70 % du projet Bonya, Kendrick Resources ambitionne d’y développer une mine de terres rares. Pour concrétiser cette ambition, elle doit encore confirmer les ressources disponibles et leur potentiel économique.
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https://www.agenceecofin.com/actualites ... en-namibie

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suite de ce post du 17 oct 2026 : viewtopic.php?p=2427706#p2427706

Madagascar: les États-Unis vont financer une usine d’extraction de terres rares à Ampasindava
Madagascar est au cœur de la compétition mondiale pour l’accès aux minerais critiques. Le sous-secrétaire d’État américain aux Affaires économiques a confirmé, il y a deux jours, que les États-Unis allaient financer une usine pilote d’extraction de terres rares à Ampasindava, dans le nord-ouest de Madagascar.

RFI le : 31/10/2026

Selon les estimations, le site abriterait 699 millions de tonnes d’argiles ioniques dont certains éléments sont très utiles à la fabrication d’aimants, utilisés dans d’innombrables technologies.

Le sous-secrétaire d’État américain, Jacob Helberg, a confirmé un premier financement à hauteur de 4,8 millions de dollars. L’enveloppe est versée par la Société américaine de financement du développement international (DFC) à l’entreprise britannique Harena Rare Earths.

Le 8 octobre, celle-ci a obtenu des autorités malgaches un permis d’exploitation pour le site d’Ampasindava.

L’investissement américain doit accompagner les prochaines étapes telles que les études environnementales et sociales ainsi que la mise en place d’une usine pilote et d’un laboratoire, avant la mise en exploitation, espérée pour fin 2028.

Fortes contestations de la communauté locale
Depuis les années 2000, une succession de sociétés ont cherché à explorer le potentiel minier d’Ampasindava et se sont heurtées à de fortes contestations des communautés locales, inquiètes des risques environnementaux et sanitaires.

En soutenant ce projet, Washington cherche à diversifier ses chaînes d’approvisionnement face à la Chine, de loin la première puissance mondiale dans l’extraction et le raffinage de terres rares.

Les États-Unis sont déjà présents à Madagascar dans ce domaine via l’entreprise Energy Fuels, actionnaire du mégaprojet Vara Mada, dans la région de Tuléar, dans le sud-ouest du pays.

https://www.rfi.fr/fr/afrique/20261031- ... mpasindava

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Un prospect d' Yttrium au Brésil :

IMC Rare Earths reports yttrium discoveries at Brazil project
The company has planned ammonium sulphate leach testing for all mineralised Block H samples.

Srivani Venna October 30, 2026

MC Rare Earths has reported yttrium-rich drilling results from two areas of its Itarantim ionic adsorption clay project in Brazil.

The intersections include 7 metres (m) at Block H and 13m at Block D. Both are exploration-stage findings. Further drilling and metallurgical work are needed to establish the zones’ extent and commercial potential.
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https://www.mining-technology.com/news/ ... t/?cf-view

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suite de ce post du 29 juin 2025 : viewtopic.php?p=2413655#p2413655

Energy Fuels secures $126m loan for Donald Rare Earth Project
The proposed A$200m facility also depends on commercial lenders, while discussions over bank guarantees are continuing.

Shree Mishra October 27, 2026

US-based critical mineral company Energy Fuels has received conditional credit approval for up to A$180m ($126m) in government-backed financing to support Phase 1 of the Donald Rare Earth and Mineral Sands Project in Australia.

Export Finance Australia (EFA) has conditionally approved up to A$70m, while the National Reconstruction Fund Corporation (NRFC) has conditionally approved up to A$110m.

The companies envisage these loans forming part of a proposed A$200m senior project finance debt facility, with A$20m expected from commercial lenders.

The loans are expected to have a term of ten years from financial close, with interest calculated at the Bank Bill Swap Bid Rate (BBSY) plus an additional margin.

Energy Fuels president and CEO Ross Bhappu said: “This financing milestone brings the Donald Project closer to an FID and strengthens the upstream foundation of our leading rare earth mine-to-magnet platform.

“Donald is expected to provide a large-scale, long-term source of monazite and xenotime sand feedstock, further distinguishing Energy Fuels as we develop a vertically integrated, Western-aligned supply chain for rare earth permanent magnets.”

Energy Fuels is developing the permitted project with Australian company Astron through a joint venture (JV).

The project is located in Victoria, about 300km northwest of Melbourne.

The proposed financing would cover Phase 1 development, construction and commissioning, as well as financing and operating costs during ramp-up through project completion.

The conditional approvals are intended to advance the financing package ahead of Energy Fuels’ targeted final investment decision (FID) by the end of 2026.

Discussions over the remaining commercial term loan and bank guarantee facilities are progressing.

Phase 1 is expected to produce an average of 9,000 tonnes per annum (tpa) of rare earth element concentrate (REEC) and 225,000tpa of heavy mineral concentrate (HMC).

The resource is projected to sustain operations for 40 years.

Under the joint venture arrangements, Energy Fuels will purchase all REEC for processing into oxides and subsequent downstream manufacturing.

This material, containing monazite and xenotime with neodymium-praseodymium, terbium, and dysprosium content, is earmarked for processing at the company’s White Mesa Mill in Utah, US.

Astron expects to purchase all HMC available for sale to customers globally.

Energy Fuels is working to secure a 49% stake in the JV by investing up to A$183m in up-front equity.

In June 2026, the company signed a definitive agreement to acquire 100% of the VAC facility from Ara Partners for nearly $1.9bn in a cash-and-stock transaction.

https://www.mining-technology.com/news/ ... t/?cf-view