oleocene.org

Réponse Google Gemini :
La production mondiale de néodyme s'élève à environ 55 000 à 65 000 tonnes d'équivalent oxyde de néodyme par an (sur un total mondial d'environ 390 000 tonnes d'oxydes de terres rares).
Les statistiques minières internationales (comme celles de l'USGS) regroupent l'ensemble des terres rares dans un panier global, car le néodyme n'est jamais extrait seul, mais séparé des autres minerais (il représente généralement 15 % à 18 % du volume total des terres rares extraites).

Rare Earths Norway €24m Fen pilot plant: flowsheet and zoning notes for mine planners

November 5, 2026 Reviewed by Tom Sullivan

Rare Earths Norway has approved a €24-million pilot plant at Ulefoss to test an integrated ore-to-rare-earth-oxide flowsheet for the Fen deposit, which holds 123 million indicated tonnes at 1.35% TREO plus 1.08 billion inferred tonnes at 1.31% TREO. The plant, housed in an existing industrial building and targeting 6,000 tonnes of ore over three years, is slated to start up in Q3 2027 with funding support from Innovation Norway, the Telemark Development Fund and EIT RawMaterials. Design changes include increasing the protective rock cover above underground openings from 25 m to 100 m, while a state-led zoning process aims to fix mine, plant, tailings and infrastructure locations by 2028.

Technical Brief
Protective rock cover between underground workings and surface increased fourfold, from 25 m to 100 m.
Resource update effective 31 December nearly doubled contained oxides to 15.9 million tonnes.
Indicated resource now 123 Mt TREO, with neodymium–praseodymium oxides forming about 19% of TREO.
Inferred resource totals 1.08 Bt at 1.31% TREO, containing 14.2 Mt rare earth oxides.
Approximately 30,000 m of drill core logged and assayed, including 10,000 m from the latest campaign.
Zoning process, taken over by Norway’s government in April, targets completion by 2028.
National zoning will fix locations and conditions for underground mine, processing plant, tailings and associated infrastructure.

With 19% of Fen’s rare earth oxides in NdPr, as highlighted in the March 2026 resource update, Rare Earths Norway is positioning this Norwegian asset in the same high-value magnet segment that LKAB’s Per Geijer project targets, which could sharpen competition for EU downstream magnet and motor manufacturers.

The roughly 80% jump in contained oxides at the Fen deposit since the earlier 2024 figure, referenced in our prior coverage, means the €24-million pilot is effectively de-risking flowsheet and permitting for what now screens as one of Europe’s larger rare earth inventories rather than a marginal test asset.

Norway’s backing via Innovation Norway and the Telemark Development Fund, combined with EIT RawMaterials’ EU-level involvement, signals that Fen is being treated as a strategic rare earths project for Europe, in contrast to many of the smaller rare earth items in our database that lack this kind of coordinated national–EU support.

Sunrise Energy approves FID for Syerston Scandium Project in NSW
The company aims to start commercial production of high-purity scandium oxide in H2 2028, reaching 60t annually.

Shree Mishra November 2, 2026

Sunrise Energy Metals has announced approval of the final investment decision (FID) to develop the Syerston Scandium Project, near Fifield in central-west of New South Wales (NSW), Australia.

This move positions the company to begin commercial production of high-purity scandium oxide by the second half of 2028 (H2 2028), with plans to ramp up to 60t per year.

Sunrise said the project will process 64,000t of ore annually to produce scandium oxide with a purity greater than 99.9%.

The mine is forecast to operate for 32 years, with the first 21 years involving active mining and the remaining 11 years relying on stockpiled ore.

According to the company, the project aims to help address ongoing supply challenges faced by western economies following the imposition of Chinese critical minerals export controls in 2025.

With demand for scandium projected to grow in sectors such as solid oxide fuel cells, aerospace, defence, and advanced semiconductors, Sunrise is targeting an increasingly important market for critical minerals outside China.

Mining will involve conventional open pit methods, while extraction will use hydrometallurgical leaching and refining to achieve high purity standards.

The board stated that recent progress in technical, engineering, procurement, and permitting activities underpins the start of construction works and supports its production schedule.

Sunrise is also considering expanding production capacity in response to global demand, though decisions on timing and scale remain pending and dependent on customer agreements, engineering outcomes, and board approval.

Financing for the project includes a conditional commitment of up to $400m in long-term debt from the US Department of War’s Office of Strategic Capital.

Sunrise chairman Robert Friedland said: “Scandium has long been recognised for its exceptional properties and potential across a range of advanced technologies, but its adoption has been constrained by the absence of reliable, scalable supply.

“Syerston has the potential to fundamentally change that dynamic by delivering a secure, long-term and primary source of highpurity scandium to global markets.”

Terres rares : un investissement de 300 millions $ en vue dans une filière naissante en Namibie

Agence Ecofin 05 nov 2026

En Afrique, les terres rares figurent parmi les ressources qui attirent les investisseurs étrangers engagés dans la course aux minerais critiques. En Namibie, cet intérêt se manifeste notamment autour du projet Lofdal, soutenu par le Japon dans la perspective d’une future exploitation.

La junior minière australienne Aldoro Resources a annoncé jeudi 5 novembre la signature d’un protocole d’accord avec Willetech International Investment Pte, en vue de faire entrer cette société comme partenaire dans son projet de terres rares Kameelburg, en Namibie. L’accord prévoit notamment une enveloppe de financement d’au moins 2 milliards de yuans (environ 300 millions USD) pour accompagner les efforts de développement de cet actif, dans un pays où la filière se structure progressivement.

Basée à Singapour, Willetech International Investment est un groupe d’origine allemande actif dans l’investissement et les technologies industrielles, notamment dans les matériaux destinés aux aimants permanents et aux moteurs électriques. Dans le cadre de l’accord, la société prévoit de prendre une participation majoritaire de 51 % dans Kameelburg Exploration Mining (KEMPL), l’entité qui détient le projet, contre 42 % pour Aldoro Resources et 7 % pour les partenaires namibiens.

En contrepartie, elle envisage de mobiliser l’enveloppe susmentionnée pour le compte du projet. Un financement initial de 100 millions de yuans a déjà été mis à disposition sur un compte supervisé en Chine, mais son transfert en Namibie reste soumis aux autorisations chinoises. Le reste des fonds devrait être mobilisé progressivement, à mesure que le projet avancera dans les différentes phases de son développement.

Au-delà des engagements annoncés, l’opération illustre l’intérêt que suscite la filière namibienne des terres rares auprès des investisseurs internationaux. Composé de 17 éléments métalliques, ce groupe de matières premières est notamment utilisé dans les technologies de la transition énergétique et du numérique.

Le projet Lofdal, lui aussi en cours de développement dans le pays, bénéficie par exemple du soutien du Japon, qui y a investi pour contrôler une partie du capital. Il figure parmi les projets susceptibles de contribuer à l’émergence d’une production locale de terres rares.

Avec Kameelburg, Willetech se positionne sur un projet présentant déjà une ressource minérale importante. Dans son estimation publiée en août 2026, Aldoro Resources évalue celle-ci à 804,5 millions de tonnes, dont 1,37 million de tonnes d’oxydes de néodyme et de praséodyme (NdPr). Ces deux terres rares entrent notamment dans la fabrication d’aimants permanents utilisés dans les moteurs de véhicules électriques et les éoliennes.

Plusieurs étapes restent toutefois à franchir avant que ce nouvel acteur puisse s’inscrire pleinement dans le développement de la filière namibienne. La concrétisation du partenariat avec Aldoro Resources dépend encore de la conclusion des accords définitifs, le protocole d’accord étant soumis à plusieurs conditions, notamment l’approbation des actionnaires d’Aldoro et l’obtention des autorisations réglementaires en Namibie et en Chine. Ces accords permettront de préciser les modalités de la prise de participation de Willetech ainsi que les conditions de mobilisation et de transfert des financements.

En parallèle, Aldoro poursuit les travaux préparatoires sur Kameelburg, avec une première étude économique en cours pour définir les principaux paramètres d’une éventuelle exploitation.

LKAB takes the next step in its critical minerals initiative

Tue, Nov 03, 2026

Operational testing has now commenced at LKAB's demonstration plant in Luleå, where the process for extracting rare earth elements and phosphorus will be validated. The facility is the first part of a planned full-scale Industrial park and represents an important step in the company's ambition to expand its business in critical minerals through improved resource utilization.

"This is an important milestone. The results from the facility will provide valuable insights for future decisions while also strengthening the prospects of establishing a European value chain for phosphorus and rare earth elements, contributing to increased self-sufficiency," says Darren Wilson, SVP Business Area Special Products at LKAB.

Construction of the facility began in early 2025, following an investment decision of approximately SEK 800 million, and it has now been completed on schedule and within budget. The focus is now on the hot commissioning phase, during which the process is gradually tested to ensure that the plant and its equipment perform as intended under actual operating conditions.

"The period ahead is highly significant. We are now beginning the work of testing and optimizing the process. If everything goes according to plan, the facility will transition into regular operations during the spring" says Darren Wilson.

"This could mark the beginning of a new type of industrial activity in Sweden, where residual streams from mining production can be transformed into important resources for future societies. Reaching this stage of the project is the result of dedicated work by many employees across different parts of LKAB."

The demonstration plant is the first in Europe to test technology for extracting both phosphorus and all 17 rare earth elements from residual streams generated by LKAB's iron ore production in Malmberget, Gällivare. Over the coming months, operations will be conducted on a limited scale to collect data, further develop the process, and build knowledge ahead of the next stages of the initiative.

"This is a crucial part of the work moving forward. We plan to gradually expand operations with additional processing facilities over time. This first facility will also serve as a research and development centre, providing opportunities to build knowledge and expertise and, in the longer term, explore and develop future potential sources for further refinement," says Darren Wilson.

In May 2026, the Land and Environment Court granted an environmental permit for LKAB's planned full-scale industrial park in Luleå. Future investment decisions are also dependent on the environmental permit for LKAB's continued operations and planned apatite plant in Gällivare. The permit was granted by the court in June but has subsequently been appealed.

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LKAB's future investments have been granted status as Strategic Projects under the EU's Critical Raw Materials Act. These are the mine in Malmberget, the industrial park in Luleå and the new Per Geijer iron ore deposit in Kiruna, which contains significantly higher concentrations of rare earth elements and phosphorus compared with the ore bodies that LKAB currently mines. These investments are seen as important for reducing Europe's dependencies and increasing the availability of critical raw materials.

Energy Fuels secures $126m loan for Donald Rare Earth Project
The proposed A$200m facility also depends on commercial lenders, while discussions over bank guarantees are continuing.

Shree Mishra October 27, 2026

US-based critical mineral company Energy Fuels has received conditional credit approval for up to A$180m ($126m) in government-backed financing to support Phase 1 of the Donald Rare Earth and Mineral Sands Project in Australia.

Export Finance Australia (EFA) has conditionally approved up to A$70m, while the National Reconstruction Fund Corporation (NRFC) has conditionally approved up to A$110m.

The companies envisage these loans forming part of a proposed A$200m senior project finance debt facility, with A$20m expected from commercial lenders.

The loans are expected to have a term of ten years from financial close, with interest calculated at the Bank Bill Swap Bid Rate (BBSY) plus an additional margin.

Energy Fuels president and CEO Ross Bhappu said: “This financing milestone brings the Donald Project closer to an FID and strengthens the upstream foundation of our leading rare earth mine-to-magnet platform.

“Donald is expected to provide a large-scale, long-term source of monazite and xenotime sand feedstock, further distinguishing Energy Fuels as we develop a vertically integrated, Western-aligned supply chain for rare earth permanent magnets.”

Energy Fuels is developing the permitted project with Australian company Astron through a joint venture (JV).

The project is located in Victoria, about 300km northwest of Melbourne.

The proposed financing would cover Phase 1 development, construction and commissioning, as well as financing and operating costs during ramp-up through project completion.

The conditional approvals are intended to advance the financing package ahead of Energy Fuels’ targeted final investment decision (FID) by the end of 2026.

Discussions over the remaining commercial term loan and bank guarantee facilities are progressing.

Phase 1 is expected to produce an average of 9,000 tonnes per annum (tpa) of rare earth element concentrate (REEC) and 225,000tpa of heavy mineral concentrate (HMC).

The resource is projected to sustain operations for 40 years.

Under the joint venture arrangements, Energy Fuels will purchase all REEC for processing into oxides and subsequent downstream manufacturing.

This material, containing monazite and xenotime with neodymium-praseodymium, terbium, and dysprosium content, is earmarked for processing at the company’s White Mesa Mill in Utah, US.

Astron expects to purchase all HMC available for sale to customers globally.

Energy Fuels is working to secure a 49% stake in the JV by investing up to A$183m in up-front equity.

In June 2026, the company signed a definitive agreement to acquire 100% of the VAC facility from Ara Partners for nearly $1.9bn in a cash-and-stock transaction.

IMC Rare Earths reports yttrium discoveries at Brazil project
The company has planned ammonium sulphate leach testing for all mineralised Block H samples.

Srivani Venna October 30, 2026

MC Rare Earths has reported yttrium-rich drilling results from two areas of its Itarantim ionic adsorption clay project in Brazil.

The intersections include 7 metres (m) at Block H and 13m at Block D. Both are exploration-stage findings. Further drilling and metallurgical work are needed to establish the zones’ extent and commercial potential.
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Madagascar: les États-Unis vont financer une usine d’extraction de terres rares à Ampasindava
Madagascar est au cœur de la compétition mondiale pour l’accès aux minerais critiques. Le sous-secrétaire d’État américain aux Affaires économiques a confirmé, il y a deux jours, que les États-Unis allaient financer une usine pilote d’extraction de terres rares à Ampasindava, dans le nord-ouest de Madagascar.

RFI le : 31/10/2026

Selon les estimations, le site abriterait 699 millions de tonnes d’argiles ioniques dont certains éléments sont très utiles à la fabrication d’aimants, utilisés dans d’innombrables technologies.

Le sous-secrétaire d’État américain, Jacob Helberg, a confirmé un premier financement à hauteur de 4,8 millions de dollars. L’enveloppe est versée par la Société américaine de financement du développement international (DFC) à l’entreprise britannique Harena Rare Earths.

Le 8 octobre, celle-ci a obtenu des autorités malgaches un permis d’exploitation pour le site d’Ampasindava.

L’investissement américain doit accompagner les prochaines étapes telles que les études environnementales et sociales ainsi que la mise en place d’une usine pilote et d’un laboratoire, avant la mise en exploitation, espérée pour fin 2028.

Fortes contestations de la communauté locale
Depuis les années 2000, une succession de sociétés ont cherché à explorer le potentiel minier d’Ampasindava et se sont heurtées à de fortes contestations des communautés locales, inquiètes des risques environnementaux et sanitaires.

En soutenant ce projet, Washington cherche à diversifier ses chaînes d’approvisionnement face à la Chine, de loin la première puissance mondiale dans l’extraction et le raffinage de terres rares.

Les États-Unis sont déjà présents à Madagascar dans ce domaine via l’entreprise Energy Fuels, actionnaire du mégaprojet Vara Mada, dans la région de Tuléar, dans le sud-ouest du pays.

Terres rares : 2027, une année de vérité pour le projet Bonya en Namibie

Agence Ecofin 28 oct 2026

Engagée depuis février 2026 dans l’acquisition de 70 % du projet Bonya, Kendrick Resources ambitionne d’y développer une mine de terres rares. Pour concrétiser cette ambition, elle doit encore confirmer les ressources disponibles et leur potentiel économique.
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Chile’s rare earth ambitions hit refining bottleneck

Staff Writer | October 21, 2026

Chile’s push to become a major rare earth supplier faces a costly industrial gap as the country advances mining and metal production projects without the separation capacity needed to build an integrated supply chain, according to a new study by GEM Mining Consulting.


The challenge came into focus with the Oct. 7 inauguration of a demonstration plant at Huachipato in Talcahuano, where Aclara Metals, a 50-50 joint venture between Aclara Resources (TSX: ARA) and Chilean industrial group CAP, is testing technology to convert rare earth oxides into metals and alloys. The facility can produce up to 175 kg of metal daily through molten salt electrolysis, targeting purity of at least 99.5%.

The plant will initially process neodymium and praseodymium (NdPr), with dysprosium potentially added later. GEM’s study, Rare Earths in Chile: What if the Biggest Opportunity Comes After the Mine?, warns that developing metallurgical expertise without domestic separation facilities could leave Chile dependent on overseas processors.

The findings underscore a broader challenge for countries seeking alternatives to China, which controls approximately 65% of global magnetic rare earth mining, 91% of separation and refining, and 94% of permanent magnet manufacturing, according to International Energy Agency data cited by GEM. The greatest opportunity may therefore lie in processing minerals rather than simply extracting more of them.

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Aclara’s Penco Module in the Biobío region received environmental approval in June. An updated preliminary economic assessment released this week values the project at $243 million (C$344 million). The company plans to recover rare earths from ionic clay deposits but still requires additional permits and faces community opposition.
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Phoenix Tailings to build $375M rare earth plant in New York

Marina Meireles | October 20, 2026

Phoenix Tailings announced Tuesday it will build a $375-million commercial-scale rare earths processing facility in Rochester, New York, as the US looks to loosen China’s grip on minerals.


The plant, called Freedom Separation, will process more than 18,000 tons of both mined and recycled rare earth feedstock annually, producing over 4,400 tons per year of separated rare earth oxides at its full capacity. Production is expected to ramp up in 2027 before reaching full capacity in 2028.

“Technology can give America control over its critical supply chains, but it takes skilled, determined people to turn that promise into production,” Phoenix Tailings CEO and co-founder Nick Myers said in a statement. “Rochester has those people. They know how to build, how to innovate, and how to run world-class industrial operations.”


Phoenix Tailings selected Eastman Business Park in the city of Rochester for the 500,000-square-foot facility, citing its existing industrial infrastructure and local expertise in engineering, manufacturing, chemical processing and operations.

New York governor Kathy Hochul said the state will provide $3 million in performance-based tax credits for the project, Reuters reported.

“I am committed to supporting innovative projects and companies that are ready to invest in New York and bring good-paying jobs,” Hochul said. “Phoenix Tailings will not only create at least 90 new jobs at Eastman Business Park, further supporting our state’s innovation economy, but they will also play a critical role in bolstering our national security by building a supply chain for rare earth elements in New York.”

Federal backing

The Rochester facility forms part of Phoenix Tailings’ $1.2 billion Freedom project, a separation and metallization platform designed to close the gap in US midstream rare earth processing capacity.

The broader initiative is slated to generate more than 500 jobs across New York, Massachusetts and New Hampshire.

The Freedom Project has secured a $500-million conditional loan commitment from the Department of War’s Office of Strategic Capital. Phoenix’s new facility is also backed by democratic NY state governor and US Senator Chuck Schumer.

“This is critical for reducing our reliance on foreign processors and protecting our national security,” Schumer said. “I’ve long championed Eastman Business Park as a hub for manufacturing and am glad that new companies are recognizing what I have long known: Upstate New York is a prime destination for new manufacturing investments.”

(With files from Reuters)

Rinehart-backed Arafura expands US rare earths deal by 70%

Staff Writer | October 14, 2026


Nolans project location. (Image courtesy of Arafura Rare Earths | LinkedIn.)

Gina Rinehart-backed Arafura Rare Earths has agreed to supply Traxys North America with 850 tonnes of neodymium-praseodymium (NdPr) oxide a year from its Nolans project, up 70% from the volume in their original term sheet.


The binding agreement runs for five years, with an option to extend by two years by mutual consent. The May 2026 term sheet outlined annual deliveries of 500 tonnes of NdPr oxide and potential supplies of 7.5 tonnes of dysprosium-terbium oxides.

The supply deal comes as the US government is building a strategic reserve of critical minerals while helping protect manufacturers from supply disruptions. Traxys is one of three commodity trading and procurement companies selected to source and manage materials for the program.

The deal comes as the US seeks to reduce its reliance on China for rare earths, which are used in permanent magnets for defence equipment, electric vehicles and other advanced technologies.

Australia is also backing Nolans through its A$1.2 billion Critical Minerals Strategic Reserve, which has committed to buying 500 tonnes of NdPr oxide annually from the project. Hancock Prospecting, controlled by mining billionaire Rinehart, holds a 17.5% stake in Arafura.

Located about 135 km from Alice Springs, Nolans is being developed as Australia’s first integrated ore-to-oxide rare earths operation, with a mine, processing and separation plants, and supporting infrastructure. Construction began this month, with first production expected in mid-2029. Arafura says the project could meet about 5% of global rare earth demand.

The company is in discussions with other potential offtake partners as it advances the project.

Lynas plans Brazil rare earths plant with state support

Gabriel García | October 12, 2026

Lynas Rare Earths (ASX: LYC) has presented plans to build a rare earth oxide separation plant in Brazil’s Minas Gerais state, Mines and Energy Minister Alexandre Silveira told MINING.COM, as the government considers backing a project that could become one of the largest such facilities outside China.

The proposal forms part of Lynas’ expansion into Brazil through its $672 million acquisition of Meteoric Resources, whose Caldeira project hosts one of the world’s largest known ionic-clay rare earth deposits outside China. State development bank BNDES is evaluating potential financing, according to people familiar with the discussions.

“The project to implement a rare earth oxide separation plant in the Poços de Caldas region, presented by the company, could be a milestone for Brazil to advance through different stages of the value chain, adding value to our product and moving the country away from being merely an exporter of raw materials,” Silveira said in written comments.

The proposed facility would give Brazil a foothold in commercial-scale rare earth separation, an industry dominated by China, while potentially creating processing capacity for other ionic-clay deposits being developed in southern Minas Gerais.

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The scale of Caldeira could underpin that ambition. Meteoric’s definitive feasibility study outlined a mineral resource of 1.63 billion tonnes grading 2,317 parts per million total rare earth oxides, including an ore reserve of 151 million tonnes at 3,524 ppm.

The project is designed to produce an average of about 12,500 tonnes of total rare earth oxides annually over a 23-year mine life, including neodymium-praseodymium and the heavy rare earths dysprosium and terbium.

The study estimated initial development capital at approximately $498 million, excluding the cost of a separate large-scale oxide separation facility.

That additional investment remains a key consideration as Brazil seeks to turn its rare earth exploration boom into an integrated domestic industry. Whether the proposed plant proceeds will depend on financing, regulatory approvals and Lynas’ final investment decision.

Terres rares : la future mine Ampasindava franchit un cap vers la construction à Madagascar

Agence Ecofin 12 oct 2026

Au-delà du graphite, dont il figure parmi les principaux producteurs africains, Madagascar dispose d’un potentiel minier diversifié, notamment dans les minerais critiques. Ce potentiel se concrétise entre autres à travers le développement de projets de terres rares, dont celui d’Ampasindava.

Harena Rare Earths a annoncé, lundi 12 octobre, la formalisation du permis d’exploitation de son projet de terres rares Ampasindava, à Madagascar. Cette étape réglementaire permet à la compagnie de poursuivre le développement de la future mine, dont la mise en production est prévue en 2028.

Cette avancée intervient après la signature, en août dernier, du cahier des charges minier avec les autorités malgaches. Selon Harena, la formalisation du permis confirme les engagements sociaux, environnementaux, techniques et financiers convenus dans ce cadre et permet de progresser vers la construction des installations prévues pour la première phase du projet. La note ne précise toutefois ni la durée de validité du permis ni les conditions fiscales et autres obligations qui lui sont associées.

D’après une étude de préfaisabilité publiée en janvier, Ampasindava nécessiterait un investissement initial de 142 millions USD. Sur une durée de vie de 20 ans, la mine devrait produire 71 000 tonnes d’oxydes de terres rares (TREO), dont du dysprosium et du terbium (DyTb), utilisés dans la fabrication d’aimants permanents, notamment pour les moteurs de véhicules électriques et l’électronique.

« La formalisation du permis d’exploitation constitue une étape majeure pour Harena et le projet Ampasindava ; elle s’appuie sur les conditions minières déjà convenues avec le gouvernement de Madagascar et nous permet de faire progresser le projet vers sa prochaine phase de développement […]. Notre priorité immédiate est désormais de mener à bien la procédure d’autorisation environnementale nécessaire pour passer au programme pilote », a déclaré Ivan Murphy, président exécutif de Harena Rare Earths.

L’approbation de l’étude d’impact environnemental et social (EIES), actuellement en cours, constitue une étape déterminante pour compléter les autorisations réglementaires nécessaires au projet. Elle doit permettre à Harena de déployer une usine pilote, destinée à affiner les paramètres techniques et la stratégie de développement d’Ampasindava. Une étude de faisabilité définitive doit ensuite préciser le modèle économique de la future mine.

Aucune échéance n’a été communiquée pour la finalisation de ces démarches. La mobilisation du financement et le lancement de la construction sont attendus en 2027, selon le calendrier présenté par la compagnie. À terme, Ampasindava pourrait contribuer à diversifier l’approvisionnement mondial en terres rares en dehors de la Chine, tout en générant des retombées locales en matière d’emplois et de recettes.

Greenland approves Tanbreez mine plans through 2050
The Greenlandic authorities’ decision builds on the exploitation licence granted for the Tanbreez project in 2020.

Shree Mishra October 6, 2026

Critical Metals has secured formal approval from the Government of Greenland for the mining plan and closure plan at its Tanbreez project in southern Greenland.

The permissions, which extend until September 2050, cover the extraction of 19 critical elements and allow the company to progress towards construction of the mine.

The Greenlandic authorities’ decision builds on the exploitation licence granted for the Tanbreez project in 2020.

This approved mining plan sets out how Critical Metals, via its subsidiary Tanbreez Mining Greenland, will build and operate the mine at Killavaat Alannguat in south-west Greenland.

It also covers the construction of processing facilities, a port and supporting infrastructure in the area between Narsaq and Qaqortoq.

The closure plan outlines procedures for decommissioning and rehabilitation after the mine’s operational period, to ensure compliance with regulatory and environmental standards.

Critical Metals chairman and CEO Tony Sage said: “Approval of the Mining and Closure Plans is a defining milestone for Tanbreez and for Critical Metals. It gives us a clear framework through 2050 to responsibly develop one of the world’s largest heavy rare earth deposits, in partnership with the Government of Greenland and the communities of South Greenland.

“We thank the government and the Mineral Resources Authority for their thorough review, and we now move forward with the specific operating permits that will take us to construction.”

The government’s decision, granted under sections 77 and 80 of the Greenland Parliament Act on Mineral Activities and Exclusive Licence No. 2020-54, is seen as a major milestone for the project.

Among the approved elements are the heavy rare earths terbium, dysprosium and yttrium, as well as neodymium and praseodymium, commonly used in the production of permanent magnets for electric vehicles, wind turbines and electronic devices.

Other elements include zirconium, tantalum, hafnium and niobium, identified in official materials as being important for a range of advanced industries.

Before construction can commence, Critical Metals is required to obtain additional operating permits under sections 120 and 121 of the Greenland Mineral Activities Act.

These permits will cover environmental controls, marine transport, and health and safety, as well as procedures for the export and sale of minerals.

In March 2026, Critical Metals approved a $30m programme to expedite the development of the Tanbreez project.