US uranium producer Energy Fuels has formed a strategic alliance with the Chemours Company to enhance US domestic rare earth and critical mineral supply chains.
The alliance will leverage the complementary geographic and operational strengths of both companies to meet the increasing demand for these resources.
Energy Fuels is expanding its global footprint with new heavy mineral sands projects in Madagascar, Brazil and Australia. These projects are expected to produce significant quantities of rare earth, titanium ilmenite and zircon minerals.
Chemours focuses on mining and separating heavy mineral sands from its operations in Florida and Georgia.
Energy Fuels president and CEO Mark Chalmers said: “Energy Fuels and Chemours each have unique, complementary capabilities, which can be deployed to solve many of America’s critical mineral supply chain challenges in rare earth elements, titanium and zirconium.
“Energy Fuels and Chemours have collaborated successfully over the past four years, and we look forward to expanding our relationship in this key area.”
National Mining Association president and CEO Rich Nolan commended the initiative, highlighting it as an example of the mining industry’s commitment to reshoring mineral supply chains and increasing domestic production to meet modern society’s demands.
Representative Kat Cammack (R-FL) also recognised the importance of bolstering domestic supply chains and the onshoring of minerals, commending Chemours and its partners for their efforts to develop advanced critical mineral supplies in the US.
Chemours Titanium Technologies president Damián Gumpel said: “This is a transformative time in our industry, and we are fortunate to have found a like-minded US partner in Energy Fuels for this important work.”
US Senator Mike Lee (R-UT) and Senator John Curtis (R-UT) both praised the agreement for its potential to secure a domestic supply of critical minerals and reinforce the US’ industrial base, reducing reliance on foreign sources for materials crucial to energy, defence and advanced manufacturing sectors.
Curtis said: “This partnership will directly support the White Mesa Mill in Utah – strengthening our economy and reinforcing Utah’s role in national security.”
Energy Fuels began commercial production of neodymium-praseodymium at its White Mesa Mill in Utah in June 2024.
