Energy Fuels and Vulcan Elements Join Forces to Advance U.S. Rare Earth Magnet Security

Rhea-AI Summary

Energy Fuels (NYSE:UUUU) and Vulcan Elements have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to establish a domestic rare earth magnet supply chain independent of China. Under the agreement, Energy Fuels will supply high-purity "light" and "heavy" rare earth oxides to Vulcan in Q4 2025 for validation, sourced exclusively from U.S. mines in Florida and Georgia.

The collaboration focuses on supplying crucial neodymium-praseodymium (NdPr) and dysprosium (Dy) oxides, essential for manufacturing rare earth magnets used in electric vehicles, defense systems, and advanced technologies. Energy Fuels' White Mesa Mill in Utah, the only U.S. facility capable of processing monazite mineral concentrates into separated rare earth oxides, will process the materials. Following validation, both companies plan to negotiate long-term supply agreements.

Positive

• First major U.S.-based rare earth magnet supply chain partnership independent of China
• Energy Fuels has proven capability to produce commercial-scale NdPr oxide
• Exclusive sourcing from U.S. mines enhances domestic supply security
• White Mesa Mill is the only operating U.S. facility for processing monazite concentrates
• Partnership targets high-growth markets including EVs, defense, and advanced technology

Negative

• Initial agreement is only an MOU, not a binding contract
• Long-term supply agreements still need to be negotiated
• Heavy rare earth oxide production still in pilot phase
• Validation of materials by Vulcan not yet completed

Insights

Rare Earth Elements Industry Specialist

Energy Fuels-Vulcan partnership creates first U.S.-based rare earth magnet supply chain, reducing Chinese dependence for critical technology materials.

This partnership represents a significant milestone in establishing a complete domestic rare earth supply chain in the United States. Energy Fuels, using its White Mesa Mill in Utah - the only U.S. facility capable of processing monazite into separated rare earth oxides - will supply Vulcan Elements with high-purity neodymium-praseodymium (NdPr) and dysprosium (Dy) oxides sourced from U.S. mines in Georgia and Florida.

The strategic value cannot be overstated. Currently, China controls approximately 85% of global rare earth processing and 90% of the magnet manufacturing market. These magnets are essential components in critical technologies including defense systems, electric vehicles, AI data centers, and semiconductor fabrication - all sectors where supply chain security has become a national priority.

What makes this collaboration particularly valuable is that it connects two critical links in the supply chain that have been missing in the U.S.: commercial-scale rare earth oxide separation (Energy Fuels) and domestic magnet manufacturing (Vulcan Elements). Energy Fuels has already demonstrated its capability by producing commercial-scale NdPr oxide in 2024 and is developing heavy rare earth oxide production capabilities.

Monazite from heavy mineral sand operations is an ideal feedstock due to its higher concentrations of valuable heavy rare earths like dysprosium and terbium compared to other mineral sources. These elements are particularly crucial for high-performance magnets used in defense applications and technologies requiring operation in high-temperature environments.

This partnership aligns perfectly with ongoing governmental efforts to secure domestic supply chains for critical minerals, potentially positioning both companies to benefit from policy support and funding initiatives aimed at reducing dependency on foreign sources for these strategic materials.

Under new MOU, Energy Fuels to supply Vulcan Elements with ex-China high-purity "light" and "heavy" rare earth oxides for production of rare earth permanent magnets in the United States, using high-purity NdPr and Dy oxides refined in Utah from minerals produced in Georgia and Florida.

DENVER and DURHAM, N.C., Aug. 26, 2025  /PRNewswire/ - Energy Fuels Inc. (NYSE American: UUUU); (TSX: EFR), a U.S. producer of rare earth element oxides, and Vulcan Elements, a U.S. manufacturer of rare earth permanent magnets, are pleased to announce that the companies have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to collaborate on creating a resilient domestic supply chain for rare earth magnets independent of China. Rare earth magnets are used in a variety of commercial and defense applications, including satellites, robotics, artificial intelligence data centers, semiconductor fabrication, drones, defense systems, electric vehicles, consumer electronics, industrial motors, and power tools.

Under the collaboration, Energy Fuels has agreed to supply initial quantities of high-purity "light" and "heavy" separated rare earth oxides to Vulcan in Q4 of 2025. Upon receipt, Vulcan will validate Energy Fuels' neodymium-praseodymium (NdPr) and dysprosium (Dy) oxides for production of rare earth magnet applications. After validating the oxides, Vulcan and Energy Fuels intend to negotiate additional long-term supply agreements for both NdPr and Dy oxides. NdPr and Dy are key raw materials required for the manufacture of rare earth magnets.

The NdPr and Dy oxides that Energy Fuels will provide to Vulcan under the MOU for validation will be sourced exclusively from U.S. mines. Energy Fuels' White Mesa Mill in Utah is the only operating U.S. facility capable of processing monazite mineral concentrates into separated rare earth oxides. Monazite concentrates are highly coveted in the rare earth industry because they have higher concentrations of "light", "mid," and "heavy" rare earth materials compared to other mineral sources. Energy Fuels currently sources monazite concentrates from heavy mineral sand mines owned by The Chemours Company in the United States in Florida and Georgia.

Vulcan Elements' CEO John Maslin stated: "Together, Vulcan Elements and Energy Fuels are onshoring one of the most important supply chains for America's future economy and security. We believe this collaboration will enable Vulcan to ensure it has access to the rare earth materials it needs in order to deliver high-performance magnets for critical technologies and essential military capabilities."

Mark S. Chalmers, CEO of Energy Fuels, added: "Energy Fuels and Vulcan Elements are innovative companies with similar visions of creating a secure Western rare earth magnet supply chain. We have both proven our capacity to deliver rare earth products that meet commercial specifications at scale from American-based facilities. We believe Vulcan Elements is emerging as a top-tier manufacturer, and we see this MOU as the first step towards building a long-term relationship that serves the interests of both companies and the U.S."

Vulcan manufactures high-performance rare earth magnets for defense and commercial applications and is currently operating a commercial manufacturing facility in Durham, North Carolina. Vulcan's magnets meet requirements across commercial and defense applications—from hard disk drives and AI infrastructure to semiconductor fabrication equipment, robotics, drones, and automotive applications.

In 2024, Energy Fuels produced high-purity NdPr oxide at commercial scale at its White Mesa Mill near Blanding, Utah. This "light" rare earth oxide has been validated by downstream rare earth metal, alloy, and magnet manufacturers. Energy Fuels is currently piloting the production of "heavy" rare earth oxides that meet commercial specifications at the Mill, with kilogram-scale samples of Dy oxide expected to be available in August 2025 and Terbium oxide in Q4 2025.

About Vulcan Elements

Vulcan Elements manufactures permanent sintered neodymium iron boron (NdFeB) magnets in the United States for critical defense and commercial applications. The company remains committed to advancing technological innovations, galvanizing America's manufacturing workforce, and collaborating with both public and private sector stakeholders to strengthen the domestic rare earth magnet supply chain.

About Energy Fuels

Energy Fuels is a leading U.S.-based critical minerals company, focused on uranium, rare earth elements, heavy mineral sands, vanadium and medical isotopes. Energy Fuels, which owns and operates several conventional and in-situ recovery uranium projects in the western United States, has been the leading U.S. producer of natural uranium concentrate for the past several years, which is sold to nuclear utilities that process it further for the production of carbon-free nuclear energy. Energy Fuels also owns the White Mesa Mill in Utah, which is the only fully licensed and operating conventional uranium processing facility in the United States. At the Mill, Energy Fuels also produces advanced rare earth products, vanadium oxide (when market conditions warrant), and is evaluating the potential recovery of certain medical isotopes from existing uranium process streams needed for emerging Targeted Alpha Therapy cancer treatments. Energy Fuels is also developing three (3) heavy mineral sands projects: the Toliara Project in Madagascar; the Bahia Project in Brazil; and the Donald Project in Australia in which Energy Fuels has the right to earn up to a 49% interest in a joint venture with Astron Corporation Limited. Energy Fuels is based in Lakewood, Colorado, near Denver. The primary trading market for Energy Fuels' common shares is the NYSE American under the trading symbol "UUUU," and its common shares are also listed on the Toronto Stock Exchange under the trading symbol "EFR." For more information on all Energy Fuels does, please visit http://www.energyfuels.com

CAUTIONARY STATEMENT REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

This news release contains certain "Forward Looking Information" and "Forward Looking Statements" within the meaning of applicable United States and Canadian securities legislation, which may include, but are not limited to, statements with respect to: any expectation that Energy Fuels will maintain its position as a leading U.S.-based uranium and critical minerals company or as the leading producer of uranium in the U.S.; any expectation that Energy Fuels and Vulcan will be successful in creating a resilient domestic supply chain for rare earth magnets independent of China; any expectation that Energy Fuels' NdPr and Dy oxides will meet or continue to meet all required specifications or be successfully validated; any expectation that Energy Fuels and Vulcan will enter into additional supply agreements for NdPr and/or Dy oxides on a long-term basis or at all; any expectation that this collaboration will enable Vulcan to ensure it has access to the rare earth materials it needs in order to deliver high-performance magnets for critical American technologies and essential military capabilities; any expectation that Energy Fuels will successfully develop any of its heavy mineral sands or other projects; and any expectation that Energy Fuels will be successful in recovering certain medical isotopes from existing uranium process streams needed for emerging cancer treatments. Generally, these forward-looking statements can be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as "plans", "expects," "does not expect," "is expected," "is likely," "budgets," "scheduled," "estimates," "forecasts," "intends," "anticipates," "does not anticipate," or "believes," or variations of such words and phrases, or state that certain actions, events or results "may," "could," "would," "might" or "will be taken," "occur," "be achieved" or "have the potential to." All statements, other than statements of historical fact, herein are considered to be forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause the actual results, performance or achievements of Energy Fuels to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements express or implied by the forward-looking statements. Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those anticipated in these forward-looking statements include risks associated with: commodity prices and price fluctuations; engineering, construction, processing and mining difficulties, upsets and delays; permitting and licensing requirements and delays; changes to regulatory requirements; legal challenges; competition from other producers; public opinion; government and political actions or inactions; market factors, including future demand for rare earth elements; and the other factors described under the caption "Risk Factors" in Energy Fuels' most recently filed Annual Report on Form 10-K, which is available for review on EDGAR at www.sec.gov/edgar.shtml, on SEDAR at www.sedar.com, and on Energy Fuels' website at www.energyfuels.com. Forward-looking statements contained herein are made as of the date of this news release, and Energy Fuels disclaims, other than as required by law, any obligation to update any forward-looking statements whether as a result of new information, results, future events, circumstances, or if management's estimates or opinions should change, or otherwise. There can be no assurance that forward-looking statements will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Accordingly, the reader is cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements. Energy Fuels assumes no obligation to update the information in this communication, except as otherwise required by law.

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SOURCE Energy Fuels Inc.

FAQ

What is the significance of the Energy Fuels (UUUU) and Vulcan Elements partnership?

The partnership aims to create the first domestic U.S. rare earth magnet supply chain independent of China, with Energy Fuels supplying critical rare earth oxides to Vulcan Elements for magnet production starting Q4 2025.

Where will Energy Fuels source the rare earth materials for this partnership?

Energy Fuels will source monazite concentrates exclusively from U.S. mines owned by The Chemours Company in Florida and Georgia, processing them at their White Mesa Mill in Utah.

What products will Energy Fuels (UUUU) supply to Vulcan Elements?

Energy Fuels will supply high-purity neodymium-praseodymium (NdPr) and dysprosium (Dy) oxides, which are essential materials for manufacturing rare earth permanent magnets.

What industries will benefit from the UUUU-Vulcan Elements collaboration?

The partnership will supply rare earth magnets for electric vehicles, defense systems, satellites, robotics, AI data centers, semiconductor fabrication, drones, consumer electronics, and industrial applications.

When will Energy Fuels begin supplying rare earth oxides to Vulcan Elements?

Initial supplies will begin in Q4 2025, with dysprosium oxide samples available in August 2025 and terbium oxide in Q4 2025.