Aclara Plans $277M First US Heavy Rare Earths Separation Facility Louisiana

Aclara Resources Inc., a Canadian mining company, is investing approximately $277 million to build the first heavy rare earths (HREE) separation facility in the United States at the Port of Vinton, Louisiana. The facility, expected to be completed by 2027, will process rare earth deposits mined in Brazil and Chile, producing critical materials like dysprosium, terbium, neodymium, and praseodymium essential for electric vehicles, wind turbines, drones, and robotics. This project is strategically important as it will supply more than 75% of U.S. demand for certain heavy rare earth elements, challenging the current dominance of Chinese production. The Port of Vinton site was chosen for its access to chemical suppliers, Gulf Coast logistics, rail and waterway infrastructure, and a skilled workforce, with construction set to begin in 2026. The state of Louisiana supports the project with a $3 million grant for infrastructure and tax incentives, underpinning the facility's role in diversifying the regional economy traditionally reliant on oil, gas, and LNG industries. Aclara plans to further expand operations with a metals and alloys plant to support the permanent magnet industry, partnering with magnet manufacturer VAC in South Carolina to build an integrated Western supply chain for critical minerals.