Highlights

• The supply chain for rare earths is critical to modern technology.
• Rare earths are not actually rare; they are recoverable from known ores.
• The economic viability of rare earth mining is a significant challenge.
• Light and heavy rare earth elements serve different purposes in technology.
• Innovations in precision mining can reduce environmental impact.
• National labs play a crucial role in developing new technologies for rare earth processing.
• Collaboration between industry and national labs is essential for progress.
• The U.S. must reduce reliance on foreign sources of rare earths.
• Scaling production is necessary to achieve self-sustainability in rare earth supply.
• Public awareness and education about rare earths are vital for future developments.

Summary

In this episode of the Rare Earth Exchanges podcast, hosts Dustin Olsen and Daniel O'Connor engage with Bob Fox and Travis McLing from the Idaho National Laboratory to discuss the critical role of rare earth elements in modern technology. They explore common misconceptions about rare earths, the differences between light and heavy rare earth elements, and the innovative approaches being developed to improve mining and processing. The conversation highlights the importance of national labs in advancing research and technology, as well as the challenges of scaling production to meet domestic needs.

Chapters

• 00:00 Introduction to Rare Earth Elements and Their Importance
• 01:34 Misconceptions About Rare Earths
• 08:43 Understanding Light and Heavy Rare Earth Elements
• 16:37 Innovations in Mining and Processing Rare Earths
• 24:30 The Role of National Labs in Rare Earth Research
• 30:43 Industrial Policy and the Future of Rare Earths
• 35:57 Challenges in Scaling Rare Earth Production

Highlights

• 2025 was a year of unprecedented activity in the rare earth sector.
• The U.S. is recognizing the need for industrial policy in supply chains.
• Recycling and innovative technologies are crucial for future supply chains.
• The Pentagon's ban on Chinese magnets is a significant policy shift.
• Public sentiment is optimistic about Western supply chains rising.
• The bottleneck in rare earth supply is more about refining than mining.
• Engagement on social media has increased significantly in the industry.
• The future of critical minerals is tied to technological advancements.
• There is a strong need for feedstock in recycling processes.
• 2026 is expected to be a pivotal year for the industry.

Summary

In this milestone 50th episode of the Rare Earth Exchanges podcast, hosts Dustin Olsen and Daniel O'Connor, along with guest Justas Valciukas, reflect on the significant trends and events of 2025 in the rare earth and critical minerals sector. They discuss the impact of recent policy changes, the importance of recycling, and the future of supply chains, particularly in relation to China. The episode also highlights audience engagement through a LinkedIn poll and shares favorite moments from past episodes, emphasizing the journey of learning and growth in this evolving industry.

Chapters

• 00:00 Celebrating Milestones and New Beginnings
• 01:06 Reflections on 2025: Trends and Changes
• 05:01 The Impact of Policy Changes on Supply Chains
• 10:22 Poll Insights: The Future of Critical Minerals
• 15:10 Recycling and Green Tech: Challenges Ahead
• 27:05 Highlighting Memorable Episodes and Guests

HIGHLIGHTS

• Chara Technologies aims to create rare earth free motors for EVs.
• The reliance on rare earth elements poses significant supply chain risks.
• The global market for traction motors is approximately $35 billion.
• Reluctance motors offer a different method of torque generation compared to traditional motors.
• Chara's motors are heavier but offer competitive efficiency.
• Intellectual property in software algorithms is a key competitive advantage.
• The cost of rare earth magnets constitutes about 40% of motor costs.
• Chara's motors are projected to be 15-20% cheaper in the long run.
• The Indian government is increasingly interested in supporting sustainable technologies.
• Chara aims to be a leader in motor design and manufacturing by 2025.

SUMMARY

In this episode of the Rare Earth Exchanges podcast, Dustin and Daniel speak with Bhaktha Keshavachar, CEO of Chara Technologies, about the challenges and innovations in the electric vehicle (EV) motor industry. Bhaktha discusses the reliance on rare earth elements in current motor technologies, the market potential for rare earth-free motors, and the unique approach Chara is taking with reluctance motors. The conversation also covers the company's commercialization strategy, intellectual property considerations, and future growth plans in the context of global supply chain dynamics and sustainability efforts.

CHAPTERS

• 00:00 Introduction to Chara Technologies and EV Motors
• 02:51 The Problem with Rare Earth Elements
• 05:49 Market Size and Transition in EV Motors
• 09:05 Understanding Reluctance Motors
• 12:05 Comparing Motor Technologies
• 14:56 Intellectual Property and Competitive Edge
• 17:54 Cost Analysis and Total Cost of Ownership
• 20:57 Supply Chain Resilience and Sourcing
• 23:58 Commercialization and Sales Strategy
• 27:00 Future Vision and Goals for Chara Technologies

HIGHLIGHTS

• Malaysia has significant reserves of rare earth elements.
• The country is focusing on sustainable and environmentally friendly extraction methods.
• Environmental concerns are now prioritized in Malaysia's mining sector.
• Technological advancements are crucial for the development of the RE sector.
• Collaboration with international firms is essential for progress.
• Malaysia's geological diversity offers various types of RE deposits.
• Awareness of RE potential has increased among local stakeholders.
• The government is planning to establish a local RE supply chain by 2030.
• Challenges remain in separating impurities from RE for commercial viability.
• Future research will focus on innovative and environmentally friendly extraction techniques.

SUMMARY

In this episode, Dr. Syed Muhammad discusses the potential of rare earth elements (REE) in Malaysia, highlighting the country's unique geological advantages and the recent shift in focus towards sustainable mining practices. He elaborates on the challenges faced in the extraction process, the importance of environmental considerations, and the growing awareness among stakeholders. Dr. Syed emphasizes the need for technological advancements and collaboration to unlock Malaysia's REE potential and outlines future research directions.

CHAPTERS

• 00:00 Introduction to Rare Earth Potential in Malaysia
• 05:02 Understanding Southeast Asia's Rare Earth Resources
• 09:26 Overlooked Potential: Malaysia's Rare Earth Story
• 14:38 Challenges in Malaysia's Rare Earth Sector
• 19:09 Awareness and Environmental Concerns
• 23:52 Future Prospects for Malaysia's Rare Earth Industry
• 27:16 Research Directions and Innovations in Rare Earth Extraction

HIGHLIGHTS

• Tactical Resources focuses on American assets for domestic production.
• The Peak Project is strategically located in Texas, enhancing supply chain security.
• Clean processing is a key pillar of Tactical's operational strategy.
• The demand for rare earths is driven by various tech-enabled industries.
• Tactical is one of the few near-term solutions for US rare earth supply.
• The geological advantages of the Peak Project allow for unique processing methods.
• Tactical's processing is modular and scalable, allowing for flexibility in operations.
• The SPAC route provides Tactical with a platform to access public markets.
• Investor confidence will be built through execution and technical milestones.
• Partnerships in the ecosystem will be crucial for Tactical's growth.

SUMMARY

In this episode of the Rare Earth Exchanges podcast, host Dustin Olsen and co-host Daniel O'Connor engage with Jeet Basi and Kanishka Roy, leaders of Tactical Resources, to discuss the company's strategic vision in the rare earth elements sector. They explore the unique geological advantages of the Peak Project in Texas, the operational insights that set Tactical apart, and the pressing demand for US-sourced rare earths. The conversation also delves into the company's plans to go public via a SPAC, the scalability of their processing methods, and the future outlook for investors in this burgeoning industry.

CHAPTERS

• 00:00 Introduction to Tactical Resources and Plum Acquisition
• 04:15 Strategic Vision and Market Positioning
• 10:49 Operational Advantages and Scalability
• 18:36 Geological Uniqueness and Processing Efficiency
• 27:51 Going Public: Considerations and Challenges
• 36:01 Future Outlook and Investor Opportunities

HIGHLIGHTS

• Phoenix Tailings focuses on extracting rare earths from mining waste.
• The company has raised $90 million to date.
• Nick Myers emphasizes the importance of midstream processing.
• The oxide to metal conversion is a key area of focus.
• Collaboration within the industry is crucial for success.
• Industrial policy is needed to support the rare earth sector.
• Recent changes in the market have galvanized interest in rare earths.
• Scaling operations is a priority for Phoenix Tailings.
• The company aims to process tailings for various metals.
• A startup mentality drives the culture at Phoenix Tailings.

SUMMARY

In this episode of the Rare Earth Exchanges podcast, host Dustin Olsen and co-host Daniel O'Connor engage with Nick Myers, CEO and founder of Phoenix Tailings. The conversation delves into the innovative approaches Phoenix Tailings is taking to extract rare earth metals from mining waste using clean and zero waste processes. Nick shares insights into the company's journey, the challenges of midstream processing, and the importance of collaboration within the industry. The discussion also touches on the need for industrial policy to support the rare earth sector in the U.S. and the exciting future prospects for Phoenix Tailings as they aim to scale operations and make a significant impact on the global supply chain.

CHAPTERS

• 00:00 Introduction to Phoenix Tailings and Rare Earths
• 03:00 The Journey of Phoenix Tailings
• 06:00 Understanding the Midstream Processing
• 08:54 Innovative Approaches to Rare Earth Processing
• 11:59 The Oxide to Metal Conversion Process
• 15:08 Sourcing Feedstock and Industry Collaboration
• 17:53 Building a Sustainable Rare Earth Industry
• 21:01 The Role of Industrial Policy
• 23:57 Recent Changes and Opportunities in the Sector
• 27:03 Scaling Operations and Future Plans
• 29:54 The Culture at Phoenix Tailings
• 33:02 Looking Ahead: The Next Five Years

HIGHLIGHTS

• ACE Clean is focused on creating a cleaner, safer way to recycle batteries.
• Nishchay Chadha has nearly two decades of experience in the mining and commodities sector.
• Lead batteries are highly recyclable, with 60-70% coming from recycled sources.
• The non-smelting process uses organic chemicals and operates at room temperature.
• ACE Clean's technology is modular, allowing for gradual implementation in existing facilities.
• The company aims to partner with other recyclers to transition the industry.
• There is a significant gap in the US market for battery recycling capacity.
• Policy frameworks in the US and India are evolving to support domestic supply chains.
• Misconceptions about battery recycling often lead to the belief that they end up in landfills.
• The future of recycling includes addressing challenges like mine tailings and nuclear waste.

SUMMARY

In this episode of the Rare Earth Exchanges podcast, Dustin Olsen and Daniel O'Connor interview Nishchay Chadha, co-founder of ACE Clean Battery Recycling. They discuss the innovative approaches to battery recycling, particularly focusing on lead batteries, and the importance of transitioning from traditional smelting processes to cleaner, non-smelting methods. Nishchay shares his extensive background in the mining and commodities industry, the challenges faced in battery recycling, and the need for partnerships and technology licensing to drive change. The conversation also touches on the parallels between critical minerals and battery recycling, the impact of policy frameworks on market dynamics, and the future challenges in the recycling industry.

CHAPTERS

• 00:00 Introduction to ACE Clean Battery Recycling
• 05:14 Nishchay Chadha's Journey in the Mining Industry
• 09:21 Innovative Non-Smelt Recycling Process
• 14:20 Transitioning the Recycling Industry
• 17:57 The Importance of Lead Battery Recycling
• 22:01 Parallels Between Critical Minerals and Battery Recycling
• 26:15 Policy Frameworks and Their Impact

HIGHLIGHTS

• Enedym aims to reduce dependence on rare earth metals.
• The electric motor industry is massive, with millions produced daily.
• Switch reluctance motors can eliminate the need for rare earth metals.
• Enedym has developed a comprehensive software platform for motor design.
• The company has benchmarked its motors against existing technologies.
• Two-wheelers and industrial vehicles are key target markets.
• Building trust with OEMs is crucial for adoption.
• Enedym's motors are inherently fault tolerant and reliable.
• The technology is expected to dominate the two-wheeler market by 2030.
• Investors are encouraged to explore alternatives to rare earth magnets.

SUMMARY

In this episode of the Rare Earth Exchanges podcast, host Dustin Olsen and co-host Daniel O'Connor welcome Ali Emadi, founder and CEO of Enedym, a company pioneering magnet-free motor technology. The conversation delves into the challenges posed by rare earth metals in electric motors, the innovative solutions Enedym is developing, and the potential impact of their technology on various markets, including two-wheelers and industrial vehicles. Ali shares insights on the reliability and efficiency of their motors, the importance of building trust with OEMs, and the future outlook for the industry as it moves towards more sustainable practices.

CHAPTERS

• 00:00 Introduction to Enidime and Its Mission
• 02:05 The Problem with Rare Earth Metals
• 06:31 Understanding Magnet-Free Motor Technology
• 11:34 Overcoming Challenges in Motor Technology
• 15:59 Target Markets for Magnet-Free Motors
• 20:23 The Path to Market Adoption
• 22:27 Current Production and Future Plans
• 28:44 Reliability and Efficiency of Magnet-Free Motors
• 34:15 Research and Data Supporting Technology
• 35:53 Future Outlook for Enidime and Its Technology