Defense Videos

American Rare Earths Advances Halleck Creek Pilot Plant Program

American Rare Earths (ARE) announced a rapid acceleration of its Halleck Creek pilot plant, aiming to move from small‑scale proof‑of‑concept to a full‑scale pre‑production concentrate. CEO Mark Wall highlighted the addition of industry veteran Jaye Pikarts, whose four decades of rare‑earth mining, processing, and environmental compliance experience will help fast‑track the operation. The company also underscored its collaboration with Tetra Tech, a leading engineering firm, to design and execute the critical separation processes required for domestic rare‑earth production. The expanded team now includes chief technical officer Dwight, chemical‑engineer Kelton Smith, and Tetra Tech’s specialists, creating a multidisciplinary group focused on scaling the proven flow‑sheet. ARE has taken a proactive supply‑chain approach, ordering key processing equipment well ahead of schedule and even arranging air‑freight for a custom‑fabricated unit to avoid months‑long shipping delays. Wall asserts the pilot plant, which would traditionally require four years for permitting, financing, construction, and commissioning, could be operational within nine months. Wall repeatedly emphasized speed, noting, “We aim to get done in probably nine months or so,” and described the pilot as a “lightning‑fast” effort. He also clarified that while the initial focus is on the heavy‑rare‑earth stream—considered the most strategic domestic commodity—the same infrastructure can later accommodate light‑rare‑earths, albeit with a modestly larger footprint and capital outlay. If successful, the accelerated timeline could significantly bolster U.S. rare‑earth independence, providing a reliable domestic source for critical magnets and other high‑tech applications. The move positions ARE to attract downstream partners, potentially reshaping the supply chain for defense, renewable energy, and electronics sectors that rely on secure rare‑earth inputs.