The podcast linked by @LittleCog is an interview where the more...

The podcast linked by @LittleCog is an interview where the more you listen the more insights you uncover in relation to the scale of the opportunity at Halleck Creek.

The metallurgical breakthrough that was announced in January preconcentrates low grade magnetic rare earth oxide ore into high grade MREO that is sufficient to supply the entire world market, according to my back of the envelope calculations, for 30 years [using a resource of 1.8 Mt of MREO and current world wide market of 60 ktpa]. That's beginning to make the scale of Halleck Creek look a lot like the Comstock Lode and the oil fields of Prudhoe Bay.

Except that Halleck Creek will not be used to supply the entire world market. We will shortly witness the bifurcation of the rare earth market. The conflict in Ukraine has underlined that economic sanctions and the USD are the weapon of choice for the western world. What happens, however, when the sanctions blowtorch is applied back against the US and EU in points of vulnerability. The mining and processing of rare earths and the production of magnets is that extreme point of vulnerability. The CEO makes the point that 2027-2030 is the likely window of concern and that in his opinion Halleck Creek is the only North American project that has a reasonable likelihood of getting up and going within that timeframe.

Re-read the Auslin article and his Chinese reference of reliance has meant vulnerability. Auslin states that Halleck Creek, that is high in two of the most in demand rare earths, could help power a new generation of American manufacturing. Just as well, Europe will be in need of a new Marshall Plan.