In a groundbreaking move, Energy Fuels and Astron Corporation Limited have entered into definitive agreements to jointly develop the Donald Rare Earth and Mineral Sands Project located in Australia. This project is expected to provide a significant supply of rare earth elements critical for electric vehicles, clean energy, and national security technologies.
The Donald Project, slated to commence as early as 2026, is expected to produce approximately 7,000 to 8,000 metric tons of rare earth element concentrate per year during Phase 1. This includes key elements such as neodymium-praseodymium, dysprosium, and terbium oxides. The project aims to scale up production to 13,000 to 14,000 metric tons of concentrate per year in Phase 2.
The rare earth elements from the Donald Project are crucial for the production of efficient electric vehicles and advanced technologies such as wind generators. With the potential to supply enough critical elements for up to 1.7 million EVs per year during Phase 2, the project is poised to make a significant impact on the industry.
Energy Fuels, known for its uranium production capabilities, is expanding its portfolio to include rare earth elements. The company has secured long-term sources of monazite sands to produce advanced REE materials at its White Mesa Mill in the US. Additionally, plans are in place to scale up production and establish a world-class REE supply chain.
With the development of the Donald Project, Energy Fuels and Astron are set to play a pivotal role in meeting the growing demand for rare earth elements and driving innovation in the electric vehicle and clean energy sectors. The partnership marks a major milestone in ensuring a stable and sustainable supply of critical minerals for essential technologies.
