NioCorp Explores Recycling of Rare Earth Magnets in New Feasibility Study

NioCorp Developments Ltd, based in Centennial, Colorado, has announced its intention to evaluate the feasibility of recycling permanent rare earth magnets. This initiative is part of the broader Elk Creek Critical Minerals Project in southeast Nebraska. Specifically, the company will focus on reprocessing neodymium-iron-boron (NdFeB) magnets into rare earth oxides for the manufacture of new magnets.

The research will commence with bench-scale testing to optimize techniques for demagnetizing, preparing, and grinding used magnets into a feedstock suitable for chemical processing. CEO Mark A. Smith emphasized the potential benefits of this recycling in terms of circular economics and its strategic value in advancing energy-efficient technologies such as electric and hybrid vehicles.

According to Scott Honan, NioCorp's COO, the current process design for the Elk Creek Project could facilitate this recycling with minimal modifications. Despite the challenges posed by the diverse shapes, sizes, and compositions of these magnets, NioCorp is optimistic about achieving high recovery rates of high-purity separated oxides. The success of this feasibility study could expand NioCorp’s production capabilities for critical rare earth oxides.