#USA #Salt Lake City #Rare Earth Elements #Critical Materials #Idaho National Laboratory

US Critical Materials and Idaho National Laboratory Collaborate for National Security

In a bold move towards enhancing national security, US Critical Materials Corp. (USCM) has partnered with Idaho National Laboratory (INL) to create a new processing plant for critical minerals and rare earth elements (REEs). This initiative is aimed at diminishing the United States' dependence on foreign adversaries for essential resources, particularly those needed for defense and high-tech applications.

The collaboration comes in response to President Donald J. Trump’s March 2025 Executive Order declaring a National Emergency, emphasizing the urgent need to secure America's strategic materials. Historically, the U.S. has faced significant vulnerabilities due to its reliance on China, which dominates the mining, processing, and refining of rare earth elements—a situation that poses risks to national security. These minerals are pivotal for military technologies, including fighter jets and missile systems, making their secure domestic supply crucial for defense infrastructure.

To address this critical issue, USCM and INL have initiated a Phase II Cooperative Research and Development Agreement (CRADA) to establish a pilot-scale processing facility. This plant will leverage high-grade ore from the Sheep Creek deposit in Montana, known for containing vital minerals such as neodymium, praseodymium, and gallium, among others. This undertaking promises not only to enhance national security but also to stimulate the development of innovative processing technologies tailored for critical minerals.

Key National Security Goals

The project aspires to:
1. Diminish U.S. reliance on nations deemed to be adversarial for critical minerals.
2. Create a robust domestic supply chain for REEs crucial to defense applications.
3. Promote advanced mineral processing methodologies that bolster national resilience.

Project Overview

The pilot plant is designed to handle between 1 to 2 tons of ore daily, with objectives to showcase innovative mineral processing and separation technologies. Based on a validated bench-scale flow sheet, this facility aims to establish intellectual property rights and scalable production capabilities for strategically important materials.

Jim Hedrick, President of US Critical Materials and a former specialist with the US Geological Survey, has highlighted the critical position rare earths hold in defense, energy, and technological advancements in the nation. He remarked, "There is no more pressing national security issue than securing America's supply of rare earths and critical minerals. These materials are the backbone of our military, energy, and technological dominance."

Since the initiation of Phase I of the CRADA in early 2024, researchers discovered significant quantities of gallium and other rare earths within the Sheep Creek ore body. The next step is to validate proprietary processing techniques at a pilot scale, thereby ensuring foundational capabilities in meeting the defense industry's mineral requirements.

This partnership marks a crucial development in efforts to safeguard U.S. strategic minerals, thereby reinforcing national security while positioning America as a resilient contender in the global technology and defense sectors. With an increasing emphasis on domestic resource management and sustainability, the collaboration between USCM and INL could set a new precedent in critical minerals processing, which significantly influences not just America's military preparedness but also its overall technological competitiveness in a rapidly evolving global environment.

About US Critical Materials

US Critical Materials Corp. is a privately owned enterprise based in Salt Lake City, Utah, specializing in rare earth exploration and processing. The company is committed to establishing a sustainable and independent supply chain for REEs and gallium, minimizing the reliance on imports while ensuring that national security is a priority. They are actively developing environmentally-friendly technologies for the exploration and processing of these vital resources, demonstrating a strong commitment to both innovation and sustainability.

For further information, visit US Critical Materials.