## ReElement Technologies Scales Up U.S. Rare Earth Refining Amid Critical Supply Chain Push

American Resources Corporation's subsidiary, ReElement Technologies, has revealed significant progress in expanding its domestic rare earth and critical mineral refining operations, signaling a major shift in America's ability to compete in the rare earth market long dominated by overseas producers.

The company is ramping up production across two strategic facilities. Its Noblesville operation has scaled to produce more than 250 metric tons annually of ultra-pure (99.9% to 99.999% purity) separated defense-critical elements including yttrium, germanium, gadolinium, and the essential magnet materials neodymium and praseodymium. Meanwhile, the Marion Supersite in Indiana represents the next frontier—designed to handle 2,500 to 3,500 metric tons per year of refined magnet-grade rare earths, battery materials, and antimony once fully operational.

### Technology Innovation Driving Efficiency Gains

What distinguishes ReElement's approach is its proprietary chromatography-based separation process rather than conventional solvent extraction. By scaling from 18-inch diameter columns used in Noblesville to 5-foot diameter columns at Marion, the company demonstrates how modular design accelerates production without the capital-intensive, inflexible infrastructure traditionally required. Phase 1 of Marion will initially occupy roughly 40,000 square feet within the facility's 400,000+ square foot footprint, leaving substantial room for future expansion and technology partnerships.

The technical advantages are compelling: ReElement's method consistently delivers 99.5%+ purity oxides for metallization and magnet production—up to 100 times more efficient than traditional approaches—while generating 80% less waste. Critically, the process requires significantly less acidic material than conventional methods, enabling wastewater recycling and reducing operational expenses while lowering environmental impact.

### Supply Chain Implications and Timeline

The expansion comes as the U.S. Department of Defense targets a complete domestic mine-to-magnet pipeline by 2027. Currently, over 60% of the equipment needed for Marion's initial growth phase has been ordered, identified, or is already under installation. Industry analysts view this as ReElement's positioning to become the largest rare earth oxide and defense elements facility outside China within three years.

ReElement's ability to process diverse feedstocks—recycled magnets, lithium-ion battery waste, concentrated ores, and coal-based byproducts—creates a circular supply chain model. This multi-feedstock flexibility addresses growing demand from defense applications, electric vehicle production, and renewable energy sectors while reducing reliance on Chinese-controlled supply sources.

### Strategic Context

The expansion reflects broader U.S. policy emphasis on critical mineral independence, aligning with executive initiatives to strengthen domestic industrial capacity. By combining upstream mining and downstream refining capabilities through its parent company American Resources Corporation, the initiative tackles the full value chain rather than isolated segments of rare earth processing.

The competitive positioning hinges not just on technical capability but on cost structure. ReElement's leaders suggest their platform can achieve cost competitiveness with—or potentially undercut—existing global supply chains, a critical factor in reshoring critical minerals when accounting for supply chain volatility and geopolitical considerations.

The phased expansion at Marion demonstrates confidence in the technology's scalability and market demand, with the company preparing to respond to the accelerating global transition toward electrification and domestic defense preparedness.