One company focused on developing a global supply
chain is Melbourne‑based Ionic Rare Earths.
The company has rapidly assembled its own
rare earth elements supply chain across the United
Kingdom, Africa and South America, aiming to become
a miner, refiner and recycler of sustainable and
traceable magnet and heavy rare earths.
Under a partnership between Ionic, United Kingdom–based Less Common Metals and Ford Technologies, recycled magnets would be delivered to Ford Motor Company’s drive train facility in the United Kingdom, supporting its European Union (EU) EV production.
Following successful demonstration plant production
at its Belfast magnet recycling facility, Ionic is targeting
commercial‑scale production by 2026, supported by
initiatives such as the European Critical Raw Materials
Act, which has set a target for 25 per cent of the EU
supply chain to be sourced from recycling by 2030.
‘We are priming the pump on the supply chain
through recycled, high‑purity, separated magnet REOs
that can supply directly into new supply chains and
meet targets set by Western governments,’ Ionic’s
Harrison says.
Ionic is also progressing a new Western supply chain
of magnet and heavy rare earth elements through its
recently commissioned demonstration plant at Makuutu
in Uganda. It has also taken an interest in the rapidly
growing Brazilian rare earths market, announcing
a joint venture with Viridis Mining and Minerals in
April 2024 aimed at constructing a refinery and magnet
recycling facility using Ionic’s separation technology.
‘We’re literally climbing Mount Everest as we build this new supply chain – building a business rather than focusing on the traditional mining mainstays of tonnes and grade,’ says Ionic’s Executive Chairman Brett Lynch.
For Australia’s emerging rare earth miners, building new markets and supply chains could be crucial in securing a stake in this key industry for the new economy
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