Ucore Secures $500K Funding to Advance Rare Earth Technology in Ontario

Ucore Rare Metals has been awarded $500,000 through Ontario’s Critical Minerals Innovation Fund to support advancements in its RapidSX™ Commercial Demonstration Facility in Kingston.
“Investing in critical mineral advancements, like Ucore Rare Metals Inc.‘s innovative RapidSX™ technology, is vital to strengthen Ontario’s critical minerals sector, drive innovation, and secure our future security and prosperity,” said George Pirie, Ontario’s Minister of Mines. “This $500,000 in funding through our Critical Minerals Innovation Fund will help to build a secure supply chain ready to fuel the technologies of tomorrow and increase our global competitiveness.”
Ucore is commercializing its RapidSX™ technology, which focuses on the separation and refining of rare earth oxides. The company has constructed and is operating a 52-stage RapidSX™ Demonstration Plant, integrating cutting-edge digital manufacturing and continuous process capabilities to ensure high efficiency and precision. The facility positions Ucore as a competitive alternative to established Chinese producers in the global rare earth market.
“We are thrilled to have the Ontario government as a partner as we work toward re-establishing the North American rare earth supply chain,” said Pat Ryan, CEO of Ucore. “The importance of rare earth products to strategic industries such as national defense, robotics and AI, and many clean technologies cannot be overstated. Ontario’s Critical Minerals Innovation Fund will play an important role as we work toward critical minerals independence in North America.”
The Critical Minerals Innovation Fund supports research, development, and commercialization of technologies for strengthening Ontario’s critical minerals sector. Key focus areas include the battery supply chain, deep exploration, mineral recovery, and other innovative processes.
Rare earth elements (REEs) are critical components in products such as electric vehicles, wind turbines, cell phones, and MRI machines, as well as numerous military applications. While REEs are relatively abundant in the earth’s crust, separating and refining them to usable oxides is complex and resource-intensive. Ucore’s work focuses on refining and separating these critical minerals to rebuild Western supply chains fragmented by reliance on Chinese producers.
Ucore’s long-term vision includes establishing Strategic Metal Complexes in Canada, Alaska, and the U.S., and advancing its 100%-owned Bokan-Dotson Ridge Rare Heavy REE Project in Southeast Alaska.
By Kevin Vincent
Tags: Northern Ontario / Investment / Battery Metals / All Articles