Ucore Rare Metals Secures $18.4 Million DoD Award to Accelerate Domestic Rare Earth Element Production

Ucore Rare Metals Inc. (TSX.V: UCU) (OTCQX: UURAF) has secured an $18.4 million phase 2 award from the U.S. Department of Defense to accelerate engineering, procurement, and site work for its Louisiana Strategic Metals Complex in Alexandria, Louisiana. This significant funding reinforces Ucore's leadership in developing domestic heavy rare earth element supply capabilities and represents a strategic move to reduce American dependence on foreign-controlled rare earth resources.

The phase 2 award expands upon an earlier $4 million phase 1 demonstration project that successfully validated Ucore's proprietary RapidSX™ column-based solvent extraction platform. This technology platform has been proven to break reliance on China-controlled legacy rare earth element separation methods, offering a more efficient and domestically controlled alternative. The funding supports detailed engineering, long-lead equipment procurement, and early-stage construction activities at the Louisiana facility.

This development carries substantial implications for national security and industrial independence. Rare earth elements are critical components in numerous advanced technologies, including defense systems, renewable energy infrastructure, electric vehicles, and consumer electronics. China currently dominates approximately 80% of global rare earth processing, creating strategic vulnerabilities for Western nations. Ucore's progress toward establishing domestic separation capabilities addresses these supply chain risks and enhances North American technological sovereignty.

The phase 2 initiative is specifically designed to scale the RapidSX™ technology to commercial readiness, positioning Ucore for mechanical completion of the Louisiana facility by late 2026. This timeline represents an accelerated path to commercial production with minimal equity dilution, reflecting efficient capital deployment. The project's advancement signals growing government recognition of the strategic importance of domestic rare earth processing capabilities.

For investors and industry observers, Ucore's continued progress with Department of Defense support validates both the technical viability of RapidSX™ and the strategic necessity of developing alternative rare earth supply chains. The company's comprehensive approach includes not only the Louisiana facility but also plans for subsequent strategic metals complexes in Canada and Alaska, plus the longer-term development of its Bokan-Dotson Ridge Rare Heavy REE Project in Southeast Alaska. More information about the company's developments is available at https://www.Ucore.com.

The broader mining and resources sector can find additional coverage and updates through specialized communications platforms that focus on global mining developments. These platforms provide valuable insights into industry trends and company progress, with comprehensive information available at https://www.MiningNewsWire.com. The successful scaling of Ucore's technology could establish new standards for rare earth element processing and potentially reshape global supply dynamics in this critical sector.