Energy company, Energy Fuels, commences production of heavy rare earth element oxides
## Energy Fuels Set to Revolutionize U.S. Heavy Rare Earth Oxide Production
Energy Fuels Inc., a leading U.S.-based critical minerals company, is making strides in the production of heavy rare earth element (HREE) oxides—Dysprosium (Dy), Terbium (Tb), and Samarium (Sm)—with operations at its White Mesa Mill in Utah and the Donald Project in Australia. Here's a comprehensive look at their projected timeline.
### White Mesa Mill (Utah)
The White Mesa Mill, the only fully licensed and operating conventional uranium processing facility in the United States, is currently producing HREEs at pilot scale. **Dy oxide** production is underway, with the first kilogram expected within 30 days of July 2025, and the pilot phase is set to continue until the end of September 2025, accumulating around 15 kg of Dy oxide. **Tb oxide** production (pilot scale) is scheduled to begin in October 2025, with a target of 1 kg produced by late November 2025, using residuals from Dy production. **Sm oxide** pilot-scale production is planned to start in January 2026.
Assuming the pilot scale production continues to be successful, Energy Fuels could be in a position to produce Dysprosium, Terbium, and Samarium on a commercial scale at its existing facility as early as Q4 2026, subject to technical scale-up and minor infrastructure upgrades.
### Donald Project (Australia)
The Donald Project, one of the richest deposits of Heavy Rare Earth Oxides in the world, is expected to contribute to commercial production no earlier than late 2027, pending final investment decisions. If the production decision is made in 2025, commercial HREE production from Australian ore could begin by the end of 2027. The Donald Project will serve as a supplementary, long-term feedstock source for the White Mesa Mill, potentially enhancing the mill’s output and product mix.
### Key Points
- Energy Fuels is the only U.S. company producing separated heavy rare earth oxides from commercial rare earth ores, and its commercial-scale HREE oxide production at the White Mesa Mill is targeted for late 2026. - The Donald Project is expected to contribute to commercial production no earlier than late 2027. - The transition from pilot to commercial production faces technical, permitting, and market risks, but Energy Fuels is laying the groundwork for the U.S. to have a significant domestic HREE supply within 2–3 years. - Production ramp-up beyond these timelines will depend on successful pilot results, regulatory approvals, market demand, and potential federal support.
The timeline for Energy Fuels’ HREE production could shift due to technical, regulatory, or market factors, but the company is on track to bring the first significant U.S. commercial HREE oxide production online in decades within the next two years. Energy Fuels plans to supply U.S. based manufacturers with the heavy rare earth oxides required to make rare earth metals, alloys, and permanent magnets.
In the context of Energy Fuels' projected timeline, it's anticipated that the company will transition from pilot to commercial production of Dysprosium oxide at the White Mesa Mill in Q4 2026, marking a significant advancement in U.S. finance industry, as this could potentially lead to increased investments in the energy sector. If the production decision at the Donald Project in Australia is made in 2025, it could further boost the energy production and potentially stimulate financial growth, with commercial HREE production commencing by the end of 2027.
