Ucore Rare Metals Inc. Secures $18.4M DoD Award to Advance Heavy Rare Earth Independence

Ucore Rare Metals Inc. (TSX.V: UCU) (OTCQX: UURAF) has taken a significant leap forward in its mission to establish a domestic supply chain for heavy rare earth elements (HREEs) critical for defense and high-tech applications. The company has secured an $18.4 million phase 2 award from the U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) to accelerate the engineering, procurement, and site work for its Louisiana Strategic Metals Complex (LA SMC). This funding builds on the success of a previous $4 million phase 1 demonstration project, underscoring the government's confidence in Ucore's innovative RapidSX(TM) technology as a viable alternative to traditional, China-dominated rare earth processing methods.

The phase 1 project successfully demonstrated the separation of terbium (Tb) and dysprosium (Dy), two HREEs essential for permanent magnets used in defense and renewable energy technologies. With phase 2 funding, Ucore aims to scale its RapidSX technology to commercial readiness, targeting full mechanical completion of the LA SMC by the second half of 2026. The RapidSX platform offers a more efficient, cost-effective, and scalable solution for rare earth element separation, requiring significantly less physical space and time compared to conventional methods.

This development is not just a milestone for Ucore but also a strategic move for the United States to reduce its dependence on foreign sources of critical minerals. The DoD's investment signals a strong commitment to securing a domestic supply chain for materials vital to national security and technological advancement. For industries reliant on these rare earth elements, such as defense, electric vehicles, and clean energy, Ucore's progress offers a promising glimpse into a future with more resilient and sustainable supply chains.

Moreover, Ucore's approach to funding this expansion through government awards rather than equity dilution presents a financially prudent strategy that benefits shareholders and investors. By minimizing capital risk and leveraging fixed-price contract funding, Ucore is positioning itself for long-term success without the need for significant new share issuance. This strategy, combined with the technological and strategic advantages of RapidSX, makes Ucore a compelling case study in innovation, national security, and investment opportunity convergence.

For further details on Ucore's advancements and the significance of this DoD award, visit https://ibn.fm/OTvbq and https://ibn.fm/RxJ1W.