Canadian Government invests in domestic rare-earth processing

Canada gives CAD$16mln to Saskatchewan Research Council for bastnaesite processing in Saskatoon.

The funding through PrairiesCan will enable the Saskatchewan Research Council (SRC) to acquire bastnaesite from Canadian sources and create a domestic processing capacity.

SRC will process the ore acquired from Vital Metals Canadian operations to produce a mixed rare-earth product, which will be further processed using SRC's solvent extraction and metal smelting technology to produce rare-earth metals.

Mike Crabtree, President and CEO of the SRC says, 'The funding announced by PrairiesCan means SRC will be able to expand its current rare-earth processing facility to process a wider range of rare-earth minerals – developing additional capacity and knowledge within Canada for this burgeoning industry.

'SRC’s rare-earth pocessing facility will soon be operational, making the province a domestic rare-earth technology hub and an essential part of Canada’s critical minerals supply chain.'