Ionic Technologies International Ltd., a subsidiary of Ionic Rare Earths Ltd., is gearing up operations at its demonstration plant to 24-hour, 7-day-a-week production capacity.

The increased third-party interest in utilising cutting-edge technology leads to potential supply chain collaborations with rare earth metal, alloy, and magnet manufacturers, OEMs, and industrials.

The collaboration between Ford and Less Common Metals, which was announced on 23 October, 2023, is moving forward, with a first production run scheduled for February 2024.

Ionic Technologies is set to finish installing and commissioning their process control system by the end of 2023. Furthermore, the majority of their Demonstration Plant process equipment has already been installed to ramp-up.

Funding

Ionic Technologies located in Belfast has secured funding for two climate grants from the United Kingdom’s (UK) Government’s Innovate UK, totalling £2 million (A$3.90 million), a significant endorsement of the company and its technology.

Ionic Technologies International Ltd. is a 100%-owned subsidiary of IXR.

The two projects that will be centered on the funds are:

In partnership with Ford Technologies (Ford) and Less Common Metals (LCM), Ionic Technologies will develop a traceable, circular supply chain of rare earths for application in EV motors within the UK.

In partnership with the British Geological Survey, Ionic Technologies will complete a feasibility study and supply chain analysis for a commercial magnet recycling plant in Belfast.

Quantities of high purity produced

Ionic Technologies’ Demonstration Plant has already produced quantities of high purity (> 99.5%) neodymium (Nd) and dysprosium (Dy) rare earth oxides (REOs), as announced on June 19, 2023.

Ionic Technologies has installed more processing equipment and is upgrading the control system, with processing commissioning expected to be completed by the end of 2023.

This comes after initial process commissioning, and production runs through Q3 2023.

Ionic Technologies is targeting 24/7 operations from early January 2024, with commercial production runs to support the LCM and Ford collaboration and processing end-of-life magnet samples for other potential customers.

In June 2023, Ionic Technologies engaged in supply chain discussions regarding the production of high-purity REOs. They are currently evaluating opportunities and establishing supply arrangements with leading businesses in the permanent magnet supply chain.

Source: Mining Review Africa