American Resources Corp is Producing Mixed Rare Earth Oxides and By-Products Silicon Dioxide and Aluminum Oxide from Mine Waste in Wyoming County, West Virginia: Synergies with Lithium Extraction and Modular, Scalable, Co-Locatable REE Extraction

    American Resources Corporation (AREC) through their subsidiary ReElement Technologies is refining both lithium and REEs at their Indiana facility via the same process: ligand-assisted displacement chromatographic separation and purification. The company is also set to produce coal in Eastern Kentucky along with REE extraction from the REE-enriched Dean Coal Seam (aka. Fire Clay coal) and associated clays. But for now, they have opted to produce REEs from mine waste in Wyoming County, West Virginia. The coal mined in southern West Virginia, mainly the thick Pocahontas Number 3 seam, is thought to be among the finest thermal coals in the world, with high BTU and low ash and sulfur contents. That coal in Wyoming County “consistently show mixed rare earth oxide (MREO) concentrations at or above 500 ppm.”  They estimate that there are 8 million tons of coal waste to tap on their West Virginia property. High concentrations of aluminum oxide (Al2O3) and silicon dioxide (SiO2) add to the potential of saleable extraction products. AREC CEO Mark Jenson commented:

“We now believe that our innovative platform can deliver techno-economic viability for our controlled resource base, which includes millions of tons of feedstock derived from decades of coal mining waste. Furthermore, given the increasingly fragile state of the global supply of refined critical minerals, we are confident that ReElement is uniquely positioned to address supply chain and national security challenges effectively."

     Since China currently refines over 90% of global REEs and has recently banned the export of critical minerals antimony, gallium, and germanium, domestic production and refining of REEs is a very clear need.

     ReElement is currently producing ultra-pure heavy and light rare earth oxides, along with battery-grade lithium carbonate at its plant in Indiana. The ability to produce multiple products at its refining facilities gives it an advantage. Jenson also noted:

“We are confident that nobody can compete with our commercial scale cost structure. Our ability to quickly respond to the needs of the critical mineral markets showcases the efficiency of our platform technology and the necessary attributes needed to be sustainable and competitive in this market."

REEs can be produced from virgin ores as well as from recycled feedstocks. Jenson thinks they can compete with the Chinese market, perhaps beating it economically.

 

 

 

Ligand Assisted Displacement ("LAD") Chromatographic Separation and Purification

     LAD-assisted chromatography is currently one of the best, least expensive, and most environmentally benign ways to separate, purify, and refine REEs and critical minerals. This tech can

 

.    Modular and scalable production capacity (growing processing volumes efficiently as feedstock production expands);

·        Localization of processing (Removing the need to transport raw ore across the world);

·        Significantly less chemical and energy use; and

·        Versatility of technology for multi-mineral, multi-feedstock (ores, recycled material, etc.).

     This technology was originally developed by Professor Linda Nien-hwa Wang, of Purdue University and commercialized by Purdue Research Foundation President, Dan Hasler.

     ReElement can produce neodymium, praseodymium, dysprosium, and terbium. Dysprosium is very important since China currently refines 99.9% of the global supply, and it has become increasingly vital in the production of advanced semiconductors that power AI. Below are LAD chromatographic separation columns.

 

 

New Super Site Under Construction in Marion, Indiana

 

ReElement is building a super site to be the U.S.’s largest REE and lithium refining operation in Marion, Indiana.

“Phase 1 targets 5,000 metric tons of lithium carbonate (99.9%+) and 1,000 metric tons of rare earth oxides (99.5%+) with ability to efficiently and modularly scale production.”

“Phase 1 production capacity represents approximately $150 million in revenue potential based on current market prices of high purity rare earth oxides and lithium carbonate equivalent (LCE).”

The 42-acre site will have the ability to initially produce 1,000 metric tons of refined REEs per year and 5,000 metric tons of lithium hydroxide or carbonate per year. The facility is located near freeways and will have rail loadout as well as 37 truck bays.

“The campus is being designed to drive collaboration with battery and magnet industry partners by creating co-located partnerships within the electrified value chain; reducing costs, maximizing productivity, and significantly reducing the carbon footprint of products produced.”

 

 

Partnerships

 

     ReElement has partnered with permanent magnet manufacturer Posco International to provide battery-grade REEs and a corresponding supply chain.

     ReElement’s LAD-assisted chromatography method can process mineral ores, mineral brines, spodumene ores, coal waste, recycled wind turbine magnets, and recycled battery black mass (mostly Li-Fe-phosphate) feedstocks. They are also working on a collaborative business model to offer refining-as-a-service. They claim that their mineral refining offers 25% less water use, 75% less processing energy use, zero wastewater discharge, and 70% less carbon emissions than comparable solvent refining methods.

     ReElement is developing partnerships with several other companies as well and is set to become the leader in domestic U.S. REE and lithium refining.

 

References:

 

American Resources Corporation Provides Update on Economic Viability of Rare Earth Element Production from Carbon Mine Waste. American Resources Corp. Press Release. December 12, 2024. News Release

American Resources Corporation's ReElement Technologies Commences Daily Production of Purified Rare Earths Elements To Solve Domestic Supply Chain. American Resources Corp. Press Release. October 9, 2024. News Release

American Resources Corporation's ReElement Technologies Updates Progress On Marion Super Site For United States' Largest Combined Rare Earth and Lithium Refining Facility. American Resources Corp. Press Release. November 5, 2024. News Release

American Resources Corporation's ReElement Technologies and POSCO International Come Together to Develop a Sustainable Rare Earth Element and Magnet Supply Chain. American Resources Corp. November 21, 2024. News Release