SRC Rare Earth Processing Facility First to Produce Rare Earth Metals in North America

Once the rare earth processing plant in the province of Canada is fully operational in early 2025, it will produce approximately 400 tonnes of metals per year.

The Saskatchewan Research Council (SRC) announced that its rare earth processing plant located in Saskatoon, Canada, is ahead of schedule and has produced rare earth metals at a commercial scale, being the only plant to do so in North America.

SRC's facilities are set up to produce 10 tonnes of neodymium-praseodymium (NdPr) metals per month, with purities above 99.5% and conversions over 98%. SRC is on track to increase this production to 40 tonnes of rare earth metals per month by the end of December 2024.

“Our government is proud to support SRC’s rare earth processing facility, making Saskatchewan the first and only jurisdiction in North America to produce these rare earth metals, and establishing a new rare earth technology hub here in the province,” said Premier Scott Moe.

He also added that “this represents a significant opportunity for Saskatchewan to be a global leader in the area of critical mineral development by establishing a secure and sustainable rare earth supply chain.”

First rare earth production plant in North America

In July 2024, SRC finalized tolling agreements with several international customers to convert individual rare earth oxides into metals through metal smelting technology at the SRC processing plant. Before the plant becomes fully operational, these tolling agreements allow SRC to demonstrate its technology at a commercial scale with a lower initial investment in rare earth raw materials.

“The in-house technology developed by SRC means it is now the only plant in North America producing metals at a commercial scale. This will further boost Saskatchewan’s global reputation as a safe supplier of rare earths that the world needs. The production of these metals is important to preserve our national security and grow our provincial economy in the coming decades,” said the Minister responsible for SRC, Jeremy Harrison.

Once fully operational in early 2025, the SRC rare earth processing plant will produce approximately 400 tonnes of NdPr metals per year, enough to power 500,000 electric vehicles. Rare earth metals are also essential components for wind turbines, robotics, HVAC systems, elevators, and green technologies.

Since 2020, SRC’s rare earth processing plant has received $71 million in funding from the Government of Saskatchewan, as well as $30 million in combined funding from the Government of Canada.