Yangibana and Ucore Link Up on Rare Earth Supply Chain

The Yangibana Joint Venture — owned 60% by Wyloo and 40% by Hastings Technology Metals — has signed a non-binding Heads of Agreement (HoA) with Ucore Rare Metals Inc. to supply rare earth concentrate from Western Australia to the United States. The deal sets the stage for a future offtake agreement that could see up to 37,000 tonnes of concentrate annually flow from the Yangibana Project to Ucore’s processing operations.

The partnership is part of a wider strategic push by both countries to localize and diversify the rare earth supply chain. Critical for applications ranging from electric vehicles to defense systems, rare earths remain one of the most geopolitically sensitive resources. This collaboration aims to address key supply risks by pairing Yangibana’s upstream production with Ucore’s downstream separation capabilities.

A central pillar of the plan involves developing a hydrometallurgical facility in Louisiana to convert Australian concentrate into mixed rare earth carbonate (MREC) — an intermediate product essential for further refining into high-purity oxides. A feasibility study will assess the technical and environmental footprint of building such a plant, with Ucore leading evaluations on site viability, permitting, and potential access to U.S. government incentives.

While a final agreement is not expected until mid-2026 — aligned with Yangibana’s production timeline — the deal signals a proactive effort to build a vertically integrated rare earth supply chain across the Pacific.

Why Yangibana’s Rare Earths Matter to the North American Market

Yangibana, located in Western Australia's Gascoyne region, is considered one of the more advanced rare earth projects outside China. The resource contains a high-grade mix of neodymium and praseodymium (NdPr), key inputs in permanent magnets used across EVs, wind turbines, and robotics.

Much of the infrastructure required to begin mining and processing at Yangibana is already in place. Construction of beneficiation and hydrometallurgical plants is permitted, and equipment procurement is largely complete. This positions the project for a relatively short ramp-up once financing and commercial agreements are finalized.

For Ucore, securing Yangibana concentrate strengthens the feedstock pipeline for its future network of Strategic Metals Complexes. Its Alexandria, Louisiana facility — the first of its kind for Ucore — is designed to use its proprietary RapidSX technology to separate both light and heavy rare earth elements at commercial scale. If successful, it would mark a significant step in reducing North America’s reliance on Chinese refining.

Analysts see partnerships like this as critical to reshaping global supply dynamics. While China continues to dominate rare earth processing, U.S. and Australian policy momentum is building toward more regional control. The Yangibana–Ucore collaboration stands to benefit from that trend, aligning with national strategies on critical minerals and opening the door to future funding opportunities.