- Ucore Rare Metals specializes in the extraction and processing of rare earth elements, with a focus on developing domestic capabilities.
- One of the major advantages of Louisiana is its multiple Foreign Trade Zones (“FTZ”) at various ports and locations throughout the state, including England Airpark.
- Louisiana has further supported the SMC with an incentive package valued at more than $15 million.
Louisiana is emerging as a center for strategic rare earth element production, and Ucore Rare Metals (TSX.V: UCU) (OTCQX: UURAF) is poised to take full advantage. The company is advancing its Louisiana Strategic Metals Complex (“SMC”) at England Airpark in Alexandria, a commercial rare earth refining facility designed to strengthen the U.S. domestic supply chain for critical minerals essential to electric vehicles, renewable energy, and advanced defense technologies. Ucore’s efforts highlight why Louisiana is becoming an increasingly attractive location for rare earth operations.
“Louisiana is fast becoming a hub for processing critical minerals, rare earths and electrolyte salts used to produce lithium-ion batteries, with one plant operating successfully and seven more now under construction around the state,” reports The Center Square (https://ibn.fm/8CWsc). “The Trump administration and U.S. producers are racing to wean the country from dependence on imports from China.
“At England Airpark in Alexandria, Ucore North America Rare Metals Inc. began construction in May on a plant that will separate rare earth metals from oxides shipped to the facility through the Port of New Orleans,” the report continues. “Ucore received Department of Defense grants totaling $22.4 million to design and build the plant and was chosen for $15 million in tax exemptions by Louisiana Gov. Jon Bel Edwards in 2023. England Airpark, a repurposed Air Force base, is a duty-free zone.”
Ucore Rare Metals specializes in the extraction and processing of rare earth elements, with a focus on developing domestic capabilities that reduce U.S. dependence on foreign supply chains (https://ibn.fm/fPmQ6). Its proprietary RapidSX(TM) technology offers a scalable and environmentally conscious approach to REE separation and purification. By situating its SMC in Louisiana, Ucore benefits from a combination of strategic location, workforce readiness and economic incentives that enhance the company’s competitive position in the critical minerals sector.
One of the major advantages of Louisiana is its multiple Foreign Trade Zones (“FTZ”) at various ports and locations throughout the state, including England Airpark. A foreign-trade zone is a designated location in the United States where companies can use special customs procedures that help encourage U.S. activity and value added, in competition with foreign alternatives, by allowing delayed or reduced duty payments on foreign merchandise, as well as other savings (https://ibn.fm/CoqDY). This status allows Ucore to import raw materials without paying duties until the materials are formally introduced into the U.S. market, effectively lowering operational costs and simplifying logistics.
The state of Louisiana has further supported the SMC with an incentive package valued at more than $15 million. This includes the Industrial Tax Exemption Program (“ITEP”), offering up to $8.2 million in tax benefits, along with infrastructure grants and lease subsidies (https://ibn.fm/bLeF7). These incentives are designed to offset startup costs and encourage long-term investment in the state. The combination of federal, state and local support ensures that Ucore can focus on scaling its operations efficiently.
Another key factor in Louisiana’s appeal is its workforce readiness, supported by the Louisiana Economic Development FastStart program. FastStart provides tailored workforce training solutions to meet the specific needs of new and expanding businesses. Ucore’s SMC will have access to skilled personnel capable of operating complex, high-tech separation and refining equipment, ensuring the facility runs smoothly and efficiently from the outset (https://ibn.fm/om16c).
The SMC is designed with scalability in mind. Initial production targets are set at 2,000 tonnes per annum of high-purity rare earth oxides, with plans to increase capacity to 5,000 tonnes per annum by 2026 and potentially 7,500 tonnes per annum by 2027. This allows Ucore to adjust to market demand while maintaining operational efficiency. Strategic partnerships, such as supply agreements with Critical Metals Ltd., ensure a stable source of rare earth concentrate for processing, further reinforcing the company’s ability to deliver a reliable domestic supply.
Ucore’s Louisiana operations are not only economically strategic but also align with U.S. national security objectives. The Department of Defense has provided funding support to enhance domestic rare earth processing capabilities, reflecting the growing importance of secure, locally sourced critical minerals. The SMC, combined with RapidSX technology and a favorable business environment, positions Ucore as a central player in the North American REE supply chain.
Ucore Rare Metals demonstrates why Louisiana is becoming a prime destination for critical mineral processing. Strategic location, economic incentives, an FTZ designation, and a skilled workforce converge to make the SMC a model for domestic rare earth production. As the company advances operations, its Louisiana facility will play a pivotal role in meeting the growing demand for rare earth elements that underpin green technology and national defense initiatives.
For more information, visit www.Ucore.com.
NOTE TO INVESTORS: The latest news and updates relating to UURAF are available in the company’s newsroom at https://ibn.fm/UURAF
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