Ucore Rare Metals Inc. (TSXV: UCU | OTCQX: UURAF) has announced key organizational and engineering updates for its Louisiana Strategic Metals Complex ("SMC") in Alexandria, Louisiana. The company has retained Process Engineering Associates, LLC ("PEA") as its owner's engineering representative and confirmed four personnel additions across operations, project management, and construction. These developments come as Ucore advances toward installing and commissioning the first 600 tonnes per annum processing line, known as "Enhanced Machine A," in the first half of 2027 using its RapidSX™ rare earth element separation technology.

Key Points

  • Ucore Rare Metals Inc. (TSXV: UCU | OTCQX: UURAF) is developing a rare earth processing facility in Alexandria, Louisiana
  • PEA has been retained as owner's engineering representative, joining Orbital Engineering's existing consortium
  • Four new hires — Greg Montgomery, Bryan Peak, Brad Laeger, and Didi Kazadi — strengthen the SMC's operational and project teams
  • Investors may be watching for commissioning progress on Enhanced Machine A, targeted for H1 2027

PEA Joins Orbital-Led Engineering Consortium at the Louisiana SMC

Process Engineering Associates, LLC has been engaged as Ucore's owner's engineering representative, a newly created project role providing site-wide oversight, engineering progress monitoring, and early identification of potential delays and risks. Founded in 1996, PEA specialises in chemical process engineering and has completed thousands of projects for more than 700 clients globally across chemical production, petroleum refining, and metals and minerals. At the Louisiana SMC, PEA has supported process design, flowsheet development, and equipment specifications, including kiln and jet mill systems targeting specified rare earth oxide product quality. Orbital Engineering, which has led the consortium since 2025, continues to coordinate civil, mechanical, electrical, and instrumentation disciplines.

Four Key Appointments Advance Construction and Operational Readiness

Greg Montgomery, hired in January 2026 as Plant Manager, is focused on workforce development, operational readiness, and commissioning integration. Bryan Peak joined in September as Project Manager, overseeing scope, schedule, and budget from Enhanced Machine A through the SMC's planned full development. Also hired in September, Brad Laeger serves as Construction Manager, coordinating daily construction activities against specifications, budgets, schedules, and safety requirements. Operational Process Engineer Didi Kazadi, with the team since May 2026, brings more than 15 years of experience in extractive metallurgy, hydrometallurgy, and mineral processing. Together, the announcement states, approximately sixty people are directly and indirectly dedicated to advancing Ucore's Louisiana objectives.

RapidSX™ Technology Deployment and the Enhanced Machine A Timeline

Ucore's primary commercial objective is deploying its RapidSX™ rare earth element separation technology at the under-construction Alexandria facility. The company confirmed that installation, testing, and commissioning of Enhanced Machine A — representing 600 tonnes per annum of total rare earth oxides processing capacity — are targeted for H1 2027. The expanded team is also preparing for subsequent early product qualification trials and advancement of Production Line 1. The company noted this follows its most recent C$69 million capital raise, which enabled several of the new hires. The immediate share price impact was not clear from available public information.