Australia and US Alliance and implications to Astron and Energy Fuels

[EddyMoney87]

Post in thread 'ARU's Offtake/Funding Strategy'
https://forum.rareearthexchanges.com/threads/arus-offtake-funding-strategy.1649/post-2615

In the Arafura thread I posted this on top.

But also EF could be benefiting here. The timing is good - they just raised money to fund - most probably - the Upgrade of White Mesa and JV with Astron. I think such a JV can also be sold well to voters in both sides!

Here some Infos about this JV:

The joint venture (JV) between Energy Fuels and Astron Limited over the Donald Rare Earth and Mineral Sands Project in Australia stands to benefit Energy Fuels significantly. By securing up to 49% interest through an investment of around AUD 183 million plus issuing approximately US$17.5 million in shares, Energy Fuels acquires access to a world-scale, low-cost source of monazite-rich rare earth element concentrate (REEC) that can feed into its existing processing infrastructure at the White Mesa Mill.

• Supply chain advantages: The deal helps Energy Fuels secure its own supply of REE-bearing feedstock, reducing reliance on external suppliers or imports.
• Cost efficiency: Because REEC will be produced as a byproduct of heavy mineral sands operations (ilmenite, zircon), the incremental cost of producing REE oxides from this feedstock is expected to be relatively low.
• Strategic timing: With permits, regulatory approvals, and feasibility studies already well advanced, the project could reach a Final Investment Decision (FID) soon, and production of monazite sands is expected as early as 2026, offering relatively near-term revenues and strategic positioning.
• Benefit to existing facilities: Energy Fuels’ White Mesa Mill will be able to process the monazite-bearing feeds, integrating them into its rare earth oxide separation circuits, maximizing utilization of current assets.
• Broader market & geopolitical benefit: Given global demand for rare earth elements (REE) and the strategic push for supply chain security (particularly non-China sources), having an Australian source of REEs strengthens Energy Fuels’ position as a key supplier in Western and allied markets.

 

[John]

EF's is well placed to process RE Concentrates or Carbonates. They have all the processes in place to deal with the Uranium byproducts. But ARU's strategy is to process to an oxide, so I can't see how EF and ARU will team up. In fact they will become competitiors to process other's product.

But there will be plenty of pre oxide product out there to process....and ARU and EF will be well placed.

 

[EddyMoney87]

I do not think ARU an EF will team up. I wanted to state that with EF and Astron you have a US and Australian JV. Now the talks of Australia and US regarding REE and critical minerals could be beneficial for EF and Astron.

 

[WideMouthFrog]

I do not think ARU an EF will team up. I wanted to state that with EF and Astron you have a US and Australian JV. Now the talks of Australia and US regarding REE and critical minerals could be beneficial for EF and Astron.

ARU do fit into this mix with EF, they don’t have enough oxide product.

I have found that almost all companies, in this space, could benefit from JV with ARU. It’s amazing, how many companies have a literal hole in the REO supply… making ARU suitable in some shape or form.

I’m not ruling a line through EF either.