The Elements of Innovation Discovered
The Elements of Innovation Discovered
Metal Tech News - September 18, 2024
On Sept. 17, SRC poured the first rare earths metal bars at its processing plant is Saskatoon, Sask.
SRC's facility is capable of producing greater than 99.5% pure neodymium-praseodymium metal.
In a milestone event that firmly establishes Saskatchewan as a major link in North America's burgeoning rare earths supply chain, Saskatchewan Research Council (SRC) has poured the first rare earth metals at its processing facility in Saskatoon, Sask.
"The Government of Saskatchewan is proud to support SRC's Rare Earth Processing Facility, making Saskatchewan the first and only jurisdiction in North America to produce these rare earth metals, further establishing a rare earth technological hub here in the province," said Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe. "This represents a significant opportunity for Saskatchewan to be a world leader in the area of critical mineral development by establishing a secure and sustainable rare earth supply chain."
SRC's facility is capable of producing greater than 99.5% pure neodymium-praseodymium metal.
Now that SRC has poured its first rare earth ingots, Canada's second-largest research and technology organization's Saskatoon plant is ready to produce 10 metric tons of greater than 99.5% pure neodymium-praseodymium (NdPr) metals per month, which is expected to be expanded to nearly 40 metric tons per month by the end of the year.
Neodymium-praseodymium are the main rare earths used in neodymium-iron-born (NdFeB) magnets for electric vehicle motors, along with thousands of other high-tech and everyday applications, making this alloy a highly demanded product for the energy transition.
China's near complete domination of the global production of rare earth metals and magnets makes the rare earth metal milestone even more valuable for SRC, Saskatchewan, Canada, and its allies.
"SRC's Rare Earth Processing Facility is utilizing advanced technology and expertise to build a strong, sustainable rare earth supply chain for Canada and our allies," said Jeremy Harrison, the Saskatchewan minister responsible for SRC.
Once fully operational, which is expected by early 2025, SRC's Saskatoon rare earth plant is slated to produce approximately 400 metric tons of NdPr metals per year – enough for the motors in 500,000 average-sized EVs.
"Since 2020, SRC has aimed to become a global leader in rare earth processing technology and today we've proven out an industry model for future rare earth initiatives and supply chain development," said Saskatchewan Research Council President and CEO Mike Crabtree. "This achievement is the result of more than 15 years of research and development and now commercialization in rare earths led by world-class experts in rare earth extraction and processing technology."
Over the past four years, SRC has received $71 million in provincial and $30 million in federal funding to develop and construct the vertically and laterally integrated "minerals to metals" facility in Saskatoon that is equipped with proprietary state-of-the-art technologies, much of which was designed and fabricated by SRC.
"The in-house technology developed by SRC means it is now the only facility in North America producing metals at a commercial scale," said Harrison. "This will further advance Saskatchewan's global reputation as a secure supplier of rare earths that the world needs. Production of these metals is important for preserving our national security and growing our provincial economy for decades to come."
With more than 16 years of covering mining, Shane is renowned for his insights and and in-depth analysis of mining, mineral exploration and technology metals.
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