The agreement provides for up to 10,000 metric tons annually starting in 2027, which will serve as feedstock for Ucore's Department of Defense-supported Louisiana processing facility https://ibn.fm/Ufn3x. The timing of this agreement is particularly significant given the surging global demand for rare earth elements, which are critical components for clean energy technologies, electric vehicles, and defense applications. Greenland's Tanbreez Project is recognized as one of the world's largest undeveloped rare earth resources, containing massive deposits of eudialyte rich in heavy rare earth elements that are essential for modern technologies.
The Louisiana facility is being designed as a first-of-its-kind rare earth separation plant capable of processing both light and heavy rare earths at commercial scale. This strategic positioning of Louisiana as an industrial gateway, combined with Greenland's vast mineral resources, underscores Ucore's mission to build a fully integrated North American supply chain that reduces dependence on foreign sources of critical minerals. This development comes at a crucial time when nations are seeking to secure reliable supplies of rare earth elements for both economic and national security purposes.
The nonbinding LOI sets the stage for what could become a transformative partnership in the critical minerals sector, potentially shifting the balance of rare earth production and processing capabilities toward North American control. The agreement marks a significant step toward North American rare earth independence by securing a decade-long supply of heavy rare earth concentrate from Greenland's Tanbreez project. The concentrate will feed Ucore's Louisiana facility, creating a domestic processing alternative for materials currently dominated by international suppliers.
This strategic move addresses growing concerns about supply chain vulnerabilities in critical minerals essential for defense systems, renewable energy infrastructure, and advanced manufacturing. By establishing a North American source for heavy rare earth elements, the partnership could reduce geopolitical risks associated with concentrated global production. The Tanbreez project's substantial resources position Greenland as a potential key player in the global rare earth market, while Louisiana's processing capabilities could transform regional economies and strengthen national security frameworks.
