American Resources Expands Rare Earth Element Processing from Mining Waste
American Resources Corporation, through its subsidiary ReElement Technologies, has announced an expanded initiative at its Kentucky Lithium refinery to produce ultra-pure rare earth oxides and valuable byproducts from coal and other mining waste. The initiative builds upon the company's existing efforts to refine battery-grade lithium from spodumene-bearing ores.
The expansion follows the recent closing of $150 million in financing for the Kentucky-based refinery. ReElement Technologies aims to leverage its advanced refining process to extract rare earth elements from coal mine waste, which contain high-value minerals essential for defense, advanced technologies, and magnet manufacturing. The initial feedstock will be sourced from American Resources’ property in Oceana, West Virginia, which has demonstrated significant rare earth element concentrations.
In addition to sourcing from existing assets, American Resources plans to expand to other regional sites and collaborate with industry partners to process mineral-rich mine waste in an economically viable and environmentally responsible manner.
Mark Jensen, Chairman and CEO of ReElement Technologies, emphasized the significance of this initiative, highlighting that the company’s Noblesville, Indiana facility is already producing and selling rare earth oxides to multiple U.S. customers. With demand exceeding current capacity, the company is expanding operations to Marion, Indiana, and Knott County, Kentucky, to further scale up production and reduce reliance on Chinese supply chains.
American Resources has also developed its rare earth and critical mineral processing capabilities through a partnership with Purdue University, securing exclusive worldwide patents based on chromatographic separation techniques. These innovations have led to a cost-effective and high-margin refining solution for processing coal mine waste concentrate in the United States.
