I agree that the heavies can become an interesting component. My question is, what's with the moving goal posts, AGAIN? Not just a little movement, but potentially almost a year (or more!) to get the financing done.
Mark: "We also have worked for 2 years and 4 months with the Export-Import Bank of the United States. We think that we're probably sometime in 2026, going to see the final results of that effort."
"So what that means in layman's terms is on or before September 30, 2026, we should have that EXIM loan in place."
Doesn't that put us almost 4 years from production now?
Seriously?
We've had only two drill results published? Drilling started April 29th.
Lot's of other operations ongoing domestically and all over the friendly world chasing the same things, with the benefits of permit fast tracking, gov't funding and their own capital. First American Uranium Inc. has changed its name to North American Niobium and Critical Minerals Corp.. The largest scandium deposit found is the Syerston deposit in New South Wales, Australia, which is considered both the world's largest and highest-grade primary scandium deposit. GraphiteOne site near Nome - REEs found include neodymium, praseodymium, dysprosium and terbium, along with ore rock containing garnet deposits. MP Materials will partner with the Saudi Arabian Mining Company (Ma'aden) and the U.S. Department of War to build a rare earth processing and magnet manufacturing facility in Saudi Arabia. Once built, the facility will process rare earth feedstock sourced from the kingdom and other global regions and produce significant quantities of separated light and heavy rare earth oxides.
How do all these projects potentially impact the immediate need and fundability of Elk Creek?
Key U.S. Heavy Rare Earth Projects
Round Top, Texas: This deposit, controlled by USA Rare Earth, is one of the most promising sources of domestic HREEs, including dysprosium and terbium. The company is currently building downstream magnet manufacturing facilities in Oklahoma and aims to establish an end-to-end domestic supply chain.
White Mesa Mill, Utah: Energy Fuels is processing rare earth element concentrates at its existing White Mesa Mill. In 2025, the company announced it achieved pilot-scale production of HREE oxides and plans for commercial production by late 2026. The mill primarily sources feedstock from existing heavy mineral sand operations in Georgia and Florida, bypassing the long process of permitting a new mine.
Halleck Creek, Wyoming: American Rare Earths has identified a massive deposit here. While the resource is significant, it is still in early-stage development and not immediately "ready to come online". (Best news out there?)
Louisiana Processing Facility: Aclara Resources is investing $277 million to build the first U.S. heavy rare earth separation facility at the Port of Vinton, with a target production start date around mid-2028.
Mine Tailings and Byproducts: Several initiatives are exploring the extraction of rare earths from existing industrial wastes like coal ash and kaolin mine tailings, which offers a potentially faster timeline than opening new greenfield mines.
Real questions. On the bright side, allocated bourbon is becoming more available.
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