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Aclara's COO, Barry Murphy, commented:

"We are encouraged and excited by the initial results from our REE separation project, which highlight our commitment to vertically integrate while maintaining our high ESG standards across the value chain. As we transition to the optimization phase of the project, we have been positively surprised by the numerous synergies between our circular mineral harvesting process and our separation process. These synergies aim to optimize CAPEX and OPEX by reducing steps and simplifying the integrated flowsheet, effectively resulting in more competitive costs and expediting the time to market. At Aclara we remain committed to becoming a reliable and responsible long-term supplier of heavy rare earths, providing the critical minerals that our planet urgently needs in its race against climate change."

Aclara's Vertical Integration Strategy

The decision to integrate vertically responds to the need for creating a geopolitically independent supply chain for permanent magnets, a much-needed performance enhancer for the motors of electric vehicles, wind turbines, robotics and other applications associated with global decarbonization.

MREC Production

Aclara's patented circular mineral harvesting technology for extracting heavy rare earths from ionic clays is unique. Its proprietary process offers several environmentally attractive features, including a low carbon footprint, very high levels of water recirculation (>95%) and adherence to circular economy principles. It does not involve blasting, crushing, or milling, nor does it generate solid or liquid waste, thus eliminating the need for a tailings dam. The ionic clay feedstock is amenable to leaching with a common fertilizer, namely ammonium sulfate, which is fully compatible with the Company's commitment to revegetate its impacted areas.

Individual Oxides Production

Aclara Technologies is expected to source high purity MREC from Aclara's Penco Module in Chile and Carina Project in Brazil. These carbonates would then be separated into pure individual REO in the separation facility.

Rare Earths Alloys Production

In parallel, Aclara has started to develop its metals and alloys capabilities through a joint venture with CAP S.A., the Company's strategic partner in Chile. Aclara's goal is to be able to connect all aspects of the production of clean rare earths up to the point where they meet the specification demanded by permanent magnet manufacturers.

About Aclara

Aclara Resources Inc. (TSX:ARA) is a development-stage company that focuses on heavy rare earth mineral resources hosted in Ion-Adsorption Clay deposits. The Company's rare earth mineral resource development projects include the Penco Module in the Bio-Bio Region of Chile and the Carina Module in the State of Goiás, Brazil.

Aclara's rare earth extraction process offers several environmentally attractive features. Circular mineral harvesting does not involve blasting, crushing, or milling, and therefore does not generate tailings and eliminates the need for a tailing's storage facility. The extraction process developed by Aclara minimizes water consumption through high levels of water recirculation made possible by the inclusion of a water treatment facility within its patented process design. The ionic clay feedstock is amenable to leaching with a common fertilizer main reagent, ammonium sulfate. In addition to the development of the Penco Module and the Carina Module, the Company will continue to identify and evaluate opportunities to increase future production of heavy rare earths through greenfield exploration programs and the development of additional projects within the Company's current concessions in Brazil, Chile, and Peru.

Aclara has decided to vertically integrate its rare earths concentrate production towards the manufacturing of rare earths alloys. The Company has established a U.S.-based subsidiary, Aclara Technologies Inc., which will focus on developing technologies for rare earth separation, metals, and alloys. Additionally, the Company is advancing its metals and alloys business through a joint venture with CAP S.A., leveraging CAP's extensive expertise in metal refining and special ferro-alloyed steels.

Forward-Looking Statements

This news release contains "forward-looking information" within the meaning of applicable securities legislation, which reflects the Company's current expectations regarding future events, including statements with regard to the Company's corporate strategy; expectations as to activities conducted in connection with its separation project, the Carina Project and Penco Module, timelines for completion and the success, effect or outcomes resulting therefrom; the development of a separation facility and the related studies in relation thereto; the Company's vertical integration strategy; and plans as to expenditures, investments, and use of capital and financial resources in the near and long term. Forward-looking information is based on a number of assumptions and is subject to a number of risks and uncertainties, many of which are beyond the Company's control. Such risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to, the factors discussed under "Risk Factors" in the Company's annual information form dated as of March 22, 2024 filed on the Company's SEDAR profile. Actual results and timing could differ materially from those projected herein. Unless otherwise noted or the context otherwise indicates, the forward-looking information contained in this news release is provided as of the date of this news release and the Company does not undertake any obligation to update such forward-looking information, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as expressly required under applicable securities laws.

[1] Didymium is a mixture of the elements praseodymium and neodymium (NdPr).

For further information, please contact:

Ramon Barua
Chief Executive Officer
investorrelations@aclara-re.com

SOURCE: Aclara Resources Inc.

View the original press release on accesswire.com