RareX Enters Critical Minerals Processing and Supply Chain Partnership with US Strategic Metals

RareX (ASX: REE) has signed a memorandum of understanding with US Strategic Metals (USSM) establishing a collaboration framework to align Australian-led rare earth and critical minerals production with US-based downstream processing and supply chain development.

The two parties will assess USSM’s permitted multi-metallic critical minerals hub in Missouri for its capability to process rare earth products including dysprosium, terbium, gallium, and scandium from RareX’s flagship Cummins Range project in Western Australia.

The companies will establish a working group to advance the feasibility and technical assessments and evaluate downstream integration opportunities, while jointly pursuing opportunities for strategic funding, technology development, and supply chain collaboration.

Onshoring Production

The new agreement advances the US government’s goal of achieving critical mineral and energy dominance by onshoring critical mineral production.

It strengthens ties with the Quadrilateral Security Dialogue (QUAD), and supports the US-Australia common policy framework for the mining and processing critical minerals and rare earths signed earlier this month.

QUAD is a diplomatic partnership between Australia, India, Japan, and the US to support a peaceful Indo-Pacific region.

‘Natural Alignment’

RareX managing director James Durrant welcomed the agreement with USSM.

“This partnership represents a natural alignment between Australia’s upstream minerals capability and a growing downstream industrial base in the US,” he said.

“By working with USSM, we are taking a practical step toward integrating Australian-led resource development with US processing capacity, and helping to build secure, Western-aligned supply chains that are in demand by our industries and governments.”

Critical Minerals Network

USSM founder and chief executive officer Stacy Hastie said the partnership would work to strengthen the allied critical minerals network.

“Our processing and refining capabilities in Missouri are designed to serve America’s domestic needs while supporting partners who share our commitment to ethical, secure, and sustainable sourcing,” he said.

“Together with RareX, we intend to advance the technologies and funding partnerships that will underpin the next generation of Western critical mineral supply chains.”