Aclara Resources Opens Rare Earth Pilot Plant at Virginia Tech

Aclara Resources Inc. has inaugurated a rare earth separation pilot plant at Virginia Tech. This facility marks a significant advancement in establishing a U.S.-based rare earth supply chain. The plant will test Aclara's separation technology using high-purity mixed rare earth carbonates from Brazil and Chile, providing data for the upcoming industrial-scale plant in Louisiana.

The event highlighted the collaboration between Aclara, Virginia Tech, Argonne National Laboratory, and U.S. government entities. The project aims to reduce reliance on Chinese exports by developing domestic processing capabilities for heavy rare earths. Aclara secured $5 million from the U.S. International Development Finance Corporation to support its feasibility study in Brazil.

Aclara plans to begin producing separated light and heavy rare earth oxides by mid-2026, while the commercial facility in Louisiana is slated for completion by mid-2028.