Canada will have rare earth processing plant in operation by the end of 2022 as the province of Saskatchewan has committed C$31 million (about $24m) to build the facility , which aims at boosting domestic supply of the key ingredients for military weapons, electric vehicles and smartphones. The process of turning rare earth elements (REE) ore into individual products is done in two main stages. The first is the concentration of ore to mixed REE Carbonate. The second is the more complex separation stage that converts the mixed REE Carbonate to commercial pure-grade REEs. The facility, owned and operated by the Saskatchewan Research Council (SRC), will address both stages of REE processing. The province said it would be the first of its kind in Canada, adding that it is expected to be an industry model for future commercial rare earth expansion. “Saskatchewan’s new Rare Earth Processing Facility will be […]