Ionic Rare Earths and Viridis Mining and Minerals have entered into a five-year memorandum of understanding (MOU) with SENAI FIEMG Innovation and Technology Centre, the proprietor of South America’s inaugural rare earth magnet laboratory.
The collaboration marks a significant step towards establishing a full-suite rare earth oxide (REO) production capability in Brazil.
The agreement with SENAI FIEMG aims to lay the groundwork for collaboration between Viridion and the SENAI Regional Department.
The partnership is set to foster the development and production of rare earth magnets at the Lab Fab facility in Minas Gerais, Brazil.
Under the MOU, Viridion commits to supplying the raw materials required for the pilot production of rare earth magnets.
Both Ionic and Viridis have agreed to promote initiatives that will strengthen their partnership and enhance their relationships with industries interested in the technologies.
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By GlobalDataThe companies have also consented to collaborate on joint projects involving applied research, assessment activities, consulting, experiments, specialised technological services and training.
Furthermore, they plan to implement additional joint activities and programmes including pilot and experimental initiatives in areas of mutual interest that the parties may agree upon in the future.
In April 2024, Ionic and Viridis finalised a binding term sheet for the commercialisation of selection separation technology, which is pivotal for recovering REOs from various feeds.
They also secured exclusive rights to commercialise rare earth recycling technology in Brazil, positioning Ionic to be a trailblazer in South American REO production.
The term sheet’s execution led to the creation of the Viridion joint venture (JV), which now holds exclusive global rights to Ionic’s separation intellectual property (IP).
This IP is essential for producing REOs from mixed rare earth carbonate or equivalent intermediate feed streams. Viridion will also own any new intellectual property stemming from the commercialisation process.
Ionic rare earths managing director Tim Harrison said: “This latest agreement is a major step forward for the Viridion JV, helping to unlock magnet recycling’s significant role in the development of initial REE [rare earth elements] supply chains in new markets such as Brazil.
“The production of magnet REOs within Brazil will enable the ramp up of magnet production capability at CIT SENAI’s LabFab facility, which is targeting a ramp up in NdFeB production to 100 tonnes per annum by the end of 2026. We see the JV as the natural partner to help deliver this within the time frame via recycling.
“By working with LabFab, we will also be able to recycle waste streams produced in the ramp up of activities, which will enable the development of a truly insulated, secure NdFeB supply chain in Brazil that can support significant advanced manufacturing activities under way in that market.”
In April this year, Ionic Rare Earths and Viridis Mining and Minerals formed a JV to establish a rare earth separation refinery and magnet recycling facility in Brazil.
