Highlights 

  • VAC teams visit Aclara’s Carina Project pilot plant in Goiás, Brazil. 
  • The companies are moving forward with plans for an ESG-driven rare earths supply chain. 
  • The collaboration supports expansion in the U.S. with facilities in Louisiana and South Carolina. 

Aclara Resources Inc. (TSX:ARA) reported that it hosted representatives from eVAC Magnetics LLC and Vacuumschmelze at its Carina Project pilot plant in Goiás, Brazil. The visit marked another step in the ongoing partnership to establish an integrated and environmentally responsible rare earths supply chain for permanent magnets. 

During the visit, VAC’s technical and commercial teams reviewed progress at Aclara’s pilot operations, where approximately 150 kg of high purity mixed rare earth carbonates have been produced using the company’s proprietary Circular Mineral Harvesting technology. 

Expansion and Integration Across the U.S. 

Aclara plans to refine its high-purity MREC into individual rare earth oxides at its upcoming separation facility in Louisiana, U.S. The company also aims to add metals and alloys processing capabilities at the same location to support magnet production. 

Discussions during the site visit focused on aligning product specifications, scaling production, and integrating with VAC’s magnet manufacturing network, including eVAC’s magnet plant in South Carolina, which began operations earlier in 2025. 

Executive Statement 

Scott Pelhank, Vice President of VAC Sales and Officer of eVAC Magnetics LLC, stated: 

“We were thrilled to visit the Carina Project this week and discuss our shared goal of establishing a revolutionary mine-to-magnet supply chain in the Western Hemisphere. eVAC’s Phase II upstream process extension to metallization, scheduled for early 2027 in South Carolina, aligns perfectly with Aclara’s downstream expansion of its oxide separation facility in Louisiana.” 

Advancing the Joint Mine-to-Magnet Initiative 

This visit follows the 2024 Memorandum of Understanding between Aclara and VAC, which set out their intent to jointly develop a sustainable “mine-to-magnets” model for manufacturers in the electric vehicle, renewable energy, and industrial markets. 

Under the MoU, both companies committed to harmonizing technical specifications, coordinating cost frameworks, and engaging with customers to establish a geopolitically independent rare earth magnet supply chain. 

Expanding Vertical Integration 

Aclara’s broader strategy focuses on creating a vertically integrated rare earths value chain. Its operations extend from ionic clay deposits in Brazil and Chile to a separation facility under construction in Louisiana, expected to be completed by the fourth quarter of 2027. The company also operates a joint venture with CAP S.A. to produce high-performance rare earth alloys, key feedstock materials for VAC’s magnet manufacturing.