Mkango Resources (AIM:MKA) and HyProMag have completed the first commissioning runs for the commercial scale hydrogen processing of magnet scrap vessel at a rare earth magnet recycling and manufacturing plant in Germany.
The plant consists of a commercial scale rare earth sintered magnet recycling and manufacturing line, underpinned by the patented hydrogen processing of magnet scrap (HPMS) technology.
The plant is fully permitted to produce up to 750 tonnes per year of neodymium-iron-boron magnets and alloys, and HyProMag is targeting phased scale-up to this level over the next three years.
Mkango CEO Will Dawes says the company is continuing to evaluate complementary acquisitions and organic growth opportunities in the rare earths supply chain.
“With the rare earth magnet recycling and manufacturing plants being scaled up and developed by HyProMag in UK and US, and Mkango’s advanced stage rare earth mining and separation projects in Malawi and Poland, we are well positioned to provide customers with a one-stop-shop solution for rare earth products across the supply chain,” Dawes says.
HyProMag Managing Director Nelson Brito adds with first commissioning of the HPMS vessel completed, the companies are entering the next phase.
“This milestone represents a significant step towards strengthening Europe’s strategic autonomy in rare earth supply, reducing external dependencies and supporting the objectives of EU industrial and climate policy,” Brito says.
In parallel with developments in Germany, HyProMag is commercialising HPMS technology in the UK and US, as well as evaluating other jurisdictions in Japan, Canada and South Korea.
In the UK, a rare earth magnet recycling and manufacturing plant has been developed at Tyseley Energy Park, Birmingham in conjunction with the University of Birmingham, with initial production underway.
As previously reported, the facility can recover over 400kg of rare earth alloy per batch using the patented HPMS technology reactor and can produce new sintered magnets from recycled rare earth alloy at a capacity of 100 tonnes per year on a single shift. The facility can also produce over 300 tonnes annually on multiple shifts.
Meanwhile in the US, a Feasibility Study has been completed for a large-scale rare earth magnet and manufacturing operation. Detailed engineering work is underway, with first production targeted in 2027.
Mkango Resources is a dual-listed Canadian explorer and developer focused on producing recycled rare earth magnets, alloys and oxides.
Write to Aaliyah Rogan at Mining.com.au
Images: Mkango Resources
