Pat Ryan of Ucore on Defense-Grade Rare Earths for North America

When Pat Ryan talks about rare earths, he’s not talking about rocks – he’s talking about control. “Samarium is the most critical rare earth or the most critical critical mineral,” said Ryan, CEO and Chairman of Ucore Rare Metals Inc. (TSXV: UCU | OTCQX: UURAF), in an interview with Tracy Hughes, host of InvestorNews.com. “That’s important for the relationship with Vacuumschmelze.”

At a time when global supply chains are being reshaped by Chinese export bans, Ucore has positioned itself as a linchpin in the West’s pursuit of rare earth independence. The recently signed Memorandum of Understanding with Germany’s Vacuumschmelze GmbH & Co. KG (VAC) and eVAC Magnetics LLC represents, according to Ryan, “an alliance between Canada, the US, and Germany – three countries connecting.” The partnership, timed to coincide with the G7 summit, links Ucore’s rare earth refining technology with one of the world’s most established magnet manufacturers, which supplies critical materials for defense systems, electric vehicles, and renewable energy applications.

VAC’s US subsidiary, eVAC Magnetics, has just completed construction of a permanent magnet facility in Sumter County, South Carolina, supported by the US Department of Defense and a $111.9 million advanced energy project tax credit program. Ucore’s task is to supply these facilities with high-purity rare earth oxides – materials separated using the proprietary RapidSX™ technology, which, according to Ryan, “is 70% faster than solvent extraction and requires 60% less space.” Thanks to the system’s flexibility, Ucore can adjust its production targets within hours instead of weeks. “If you’re targeting something specific like samarium or gadolinium, you can actually do that economically,” he said. “You can pursue that specific group of at-risk rare earth minerals and make them available to someone like Vacuumschmelze.”

For Ryan, it’s not about incremental progress, but about strategic autonomy. “We are funded by the Department of Defense, and so are they – so that’s a good connection,” he explained. “It’s about rebuilding the Western supply network.”

This network is also supported by Canada. Following China’s April export restrictions on rare earths like samarium and gadolinium – elements essential for high-temperature magnets in F-35 fighter jets and Virginia-class submarines – the Canadian federal government announced CAD 36.3 million in funding for Ucore. “This culminated in a program announced at the G7 summit,” Ryan said. “Minister Hodgson signed the agreement with Ucore right on stage.” The funds – CAD 26 million from Natural Resources Canada and CAD 10 million from FedDev Ontario – will support a samarium-gadolinium production line in Canada. “It’s a full grant, not a loan,” Ryan emphasized. “So, yes, we are very pleased with that.”

While Washington and Ottawa divide responsibilities – Louisiana focusing on heavy rare earths, Canada on samarium-gadolinium – Ucore is also solidifying its upstream alliances. The company has once again partnered with Hastings Technology Metals Ltd. (ASX: HAS), an Australian rare earth producer now free from previous entanglements with China. “The collaboration between Hastings and Ucore brings Canadian technology and US manufacturing together in Louisiana,” Ryan said. “We are working quickly to be ready by 2027.”

Ryan’s tone is calm, but unmistakably strategic. “To build a supply chain, you need interconnected nodes,” he said. “You can’t just sign one-off MOUs that don’t offer a complete solution.” With advancing facilities in Alexandria, Louisiana, and Kingston, Ontario, as well as downstream partners like VAC and eVAC, Ryan sees Ucore’s role as more than just a participant. “If ‘command center’ means delivering products and addressing supply chain deficiencies to rebuild the Western supply network,” he said, “then we gladly accept that title.”

The statement hangs in the air – a reminder that the race for rare earths is no longer about who can dig the deepest, but who can connect the dots the fastest.

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