Ionic Rare Earths (ASX:IXR) has entered a joint development and licensing agreement with Nth Cycle, a US-based critical minerals refining and technology company, to enhance rare earth refining processes.
The agreement outlines that Nth Cycle will provide its proprietary electro-extraction technology for Ionic’s rare earth recycling and refining operations.
The partnership establishes the first Western production pathway for long-loop recycling to high-purity rare earth elements, using oxalic acid to purify neodymium iron boron swarf into magnet rare earth oxides for new magnet manufacturing.
Unlike conventional refining, it eliminates the need for a precipitating oxalic acid agent by regenerating hydrochloric acid for continuous reuse during the processing.
Ionic Managing Director Tim Harrison says that the company is excited about this partnership as “one that leverages exciting technology from electroextraction for integration into IonicRE’s patented long-loop recycling technology, with the potential to significantly reduce both our OPEX and carbon footprint”.
“Oxalic acid represents approximately 50% of IonicRE’s benchmark carbon footprint, which has been demonstrated to be 60% lower than primary (mined) supply of rare earth oxides.
“This ongoing innovation will ensure we continue to stay a step ahead on providing not only the highest-purity rare earth oxides in the market, but validated materials for Western end users.”
This partnership comes following Ionic’s recent memorandum of understanding with US Strategic Metals in Missouri, US, for the development of vertically integrated, multi-metallic rare earths production from recycling.
The company notes that with China currently refining around 90% of the global rare earth market, the Trump administration is ramping up efforts to expand domestic production to reduce import dependence.
Ionic’s partnerships are focused on delivering a US-Australia secured supply chain for rare earths and critical minerals needed for defence, advanced manufacturing, and renewable energies.
Ionic Executive Chairman Brett Lynch says that the company is working to help build that secure supply chain outside China.
“Nth Cycle’s technology pathway not only lowers costs, but also addresses critical supply chain vulnerabilities — exactly the kind of partnership that can make ex-China refining viable.”
Ionic Rare Earths is an emerging miner, refiner, and recycler of sustainable and traceable magnet and heavy rare earths needed for net-zero carbon technologies.
Write to Amy Rotman at Mining.com.au
Images: Ionic Rare Earths
