Metallium Ltd Rare Earth Partnership Breaks China’s U.S. Supply Monopoly

Metallium and Ucore Join Forces to Break China's Grip on U.S. Rare Earth Supply Chain

Metallium Limited (ASX: MTM; OTCQX: MTMCF) has struck a binding technology collaboration agreement with Ucore Rare Metals Inc. (TSXV: UCU), creating the first complete U.S.-based rare earth element (REE) processing pathway—a capability that has been largely monopolized by China until now.

Strategic Alliance Targets Critical Supply Chain Vulnerability

The 12-month binding agreement combines Metallium's Flash Joule Heating (FJH) technology with Ucore's RapidSX™ separation platform to establish a complete processing chain for rare earth elements—from raw feedstock to separated rare earth oxides—entirely within U.S. borders.

This collaboration directly addresses a critical national security concern: China currently controls 85% of global REE refining and over 95% of heavy REE separation. The partnership aims to unlock a domestic supply chain for these materials essential to electric vehicles, wind turbines, and defense systems.

"Ucore is constructing the most advanced REE separation facility in North America, and this Agreement positions Metallium at the front end of that supply chain," said Michael Walshe, Metallium's Managing Director and CEO. "Our FJH platform can unlock feedstocks that are currently stranded or heavily discounted, particularly those rich in heavy REEs."

Technology Integration Creates Processing Breakthrough

The partnership leverages complementary technologies to create an efficient processing pathway:

1. Metallium's FJH Technology: Rapidly upgrades complex feedstocks into clean chloride intermediates, eliminating conventional processing steps including acid roasting and leaching
2. Ucore's RapidSX™ Platform: Takes these intermediates and separates them into individual rare earth oxides at up to three times the speed of conventional methods

This combination creates a processing solution that can handle diverse feedstocks including mine concentrates, mixed rare earth carbonate (MREC), tailings, magnet scrap, and e-waste—all processed entirely within U.S. borders.

Focus on Strategic Heavy Rare Earths

The collaboration will specifically target dysprosium (Dy) and terbium (Tb)—two of the most supply-constrained and strategically important heavy rare earth elements. These elements are critical for high-performance magnets used in electric vehicles and defense applications, and China currently controls over 99% of global refining for these heavy REEs.

"This collaboration directly supports the U.S. Government's strategic objective of developing Western-aligned separation capabilities that are scalable, flexible, and feedstock-agnostic," commented Pat Ryan, Ucore Chairman & CEO.

Commercial Pathway Taking Shape

The collaboration follows a structured approach:

1. Each party will process feedstocks at their existing facilities, with Metallium using its FJH platform in Houston and Ucore leveraging its RapidSX™ facility in Louisiana
2. Results will inform potential commercial arrangements, including licensing, tolling, or joint venture models
3. Both companies will explore joint submissions for U.S. government grants and strategic funding

The partnership also gives Metallium entry into the rapidly growing U.S. magnet recycling market through a magnet-scrap-to-separated REE pathway.

Understanding Rare Earth Processing Challenges

Rare earth elements aren't actually rare in the earth's crust, but separating them to the 99.99% purity required for high-tech applications is extraordinarily difficult. Their similar chemical properties make traditional separation extremely complex, requiring thousands of solvent extraction stages, generating radioactive tailings, and resulting in high costs.

The Challenge of Rare Earth Separation

The primary challenge with rare earth elements lies in their similar chemical properties, which makes separating them from each other incredibly difficult. Traditional processing involves:

• Multiple stages of acid leaching and precipitation
• Thousands of solvent extraction steps to achieve required purity
• High energy consumption and substantial chemical usage
• Generation of radioactive waste streams that require special handling
• Complex regulatory compliance requirements

Traditional processing remains heavily concentrated in China, which has used this advantage to control global supply chains. The Metallium-Ucore partnership creates a viable alternative pathway entirely within U.S. borders.

Aligned with U.S. National Security Strategy

The collaboration comes amid accelerated U.S. government action to secure domestic REE supply chains. In July 2025, the Department of War (DoW) entered a strategic partnership with MP Materials that included a $400 million equity investment and a 10-year price floor guarantee for neodymium-praseodymium at $110/kg—double the current spot price.

Ucore has also secured an $18.4 million contract from the DoW to construct its commercial RapidSX™ module in Louisiana, further demonstrating federal commitment to onshore rare earth processing.

What This Means for Metallium Investors

For Metallium investors, this agreement represents:

1. Strategic positioning at the front end of the U.S. rare earth supply chain
2. Validation of technology through partnership with a DoW-backed company
3. Expanded market opportunities including the growing magnet recycling sector
4. Minimal additional costs as each party uses existing facilities
5. Potential grant funding through joint applications for U.S. government support

Importantly, Metallium's Texas commercial demonstration plant remains on track for commissioning by December 2025, and the company continues to advance parallel collaborations with Meteoric Resources on Brazilian MREC and with Rice University on direct REE separation.

Why Investors Should Follow Metallium

Metallium has positioned itself at a critical juncture in the U.S. strategic metals supply chain, addressing a national security priority with its proprietary technology. The Metallium Ltd rare earth partnership offers exposure to:

1. The rapidly growing critical minerals sector
2. U.S. government-backed supply chain reshoring initiatives
3. Multiple revenue pathways through diverse feedstock processing
4. Near-term commercial milestones with its Texas demonstration plant

As rare earth supply chain security becomes increasingly vital to U.S. economic and national security interests, Metallium's technology platform and strategic partnerships could play a pivotal role in breaking China's stranglehold on this critical sector.

Ready to Break China's Rare Earth Dominance with Metallium?

Discover how Metallium's groundbreaking Flash Joule Heating technology is positioning the company at the forefront of America's rare earth supply chain revolution. With strategic partnerships, DoW backing, and multiple revenue pathways ahead, Metallium represents a compelling opportunity in the critical minerals sector. To learn more about how you can be part of this strategic investment opportunity in rare earth processing, register your interest with Metallium today.