USA Uncommon Earth (Nasdaq: USAR) this week broke floor on its new uncommon earth metallic and magnet manufacturing facility in Blacksburg, South Carolina, marking a milestone in its plan to construct an built-in uncommon earth provide chain for the US and its allies.
Positioned on a 124-acre website in Bailey Industrial Park in Cherokee County, the 800,000-square-foot facility represents an roughly $1.2 billion funding and is predicted to create roughly 490 manufacturing jobs upstate.
USA Uncommon Earth mentioned it chosen Blacksburg following a complete analysis of practically 275 potential websites throughout the nation, including that South Carolina stood out for its expert superior manufacturing workforce, dependable energy, transportation infrastructure, proximity to prospects and suppliers, and robust help from state and native companions.
“Breaking floor in Blacksburg is a vital second as a result of it strikes our imaginative and prescient from plans on paper to infrastructure taking form,” CEO Barbara Humpton mentioned in a information launch.
“We’re constructing the capabilities America must make important uncommon earth supplies and magnets at house, whereas making a long-term funding within the individuals and communities that may assist us do it.”
Investing in training
USA Uncommon Earth additionally introduced a $250,000 contribution to Spartanburg Neighborhood Faculty to help its new SPARK Middle in Cherokee County. The brand new heart will join training, workforce growth and financial growth, offering assets to help companies.
“South Carolina’s biggest energy has all the time been our individuals and their potential to construct issues the world relies on,” South Carolina Governor Henry McMaster mentioned. “USA Uncommon Earth’s resolution to put down roots in Blacksburg is one other super vote of confidence in our workforce and within the manufacturing way forward for our state. Right this moment, we have fun the beginning of a undertaking that may create new alternatives for households throughout Cherokee County and the Upstate whereas serving to America rebuild a important business right here at house.”
The Blacksburg facility will complement USA Uncommon Earth’s current magnet manufacturing operation in Stillwater, Oklahoma, the place it commissioned its first business manufacturing line earlier this yr.
Collectively, Blacksburg and the deliberate enlargement at Stillwater are anticipated to supply USA Uncommon Earth with 10,000 tpa of home neodymium-iron-boron (NdFeB) magnet manufacturing capability.
USAR additionally finalized a deal in July to purchase a minority stake in France’s Carester that may present funds for enlargement of a processing plant as a consequence of open later this yr.
The transfer is a part of a scramble by the US and Europe to construct their very own uncommon earths and magnet output to chop dependence on China, which controls about 90% of worldwide processed output of the minerals important for the vitality transition, electronics and defence.
As soon as on-line, the South Carolina facility is focusing on manufacturing capability of 6,400 metric tons each year of sintered NdFeB everlasting magnets and 5,000 tpa of strip-cast metallic and alloy, with commissioning focused to start in 2028.
