Rare Element Resources produces first rare earth oxide at Wyoming demonstration plant
Rare Element Resources produced its first total rare earth oxide at its Upton, Wyoming, demonstration plant in September 2026. Commissioning is progressing toward commercial-grade neodymium-praseodymium oxide production, while federal and state permitting is expected to be completed by early 2028.
1. Demonstration plant commissioning
Rare Element Resources produced its first total rare earth oxide at its Upton, Wyoming, demonstration plant in September 2026. Commissioning is progressing toward commercial-grade neodymium-praseodymium oxide production, generating data for a potential full-scale commercial plant.
2. Permitting and leadership
The Bear Lodge project entered the federal FAST-41 permitting program in March 2026, and environmental analysis is underway following completion of scoping. State permit applications are planned for the fourth quarter of 2026, with all federal and state permitting and licensing expected by early 2028. Josef Bilant was appointed chief operating officer effective October 5, 2026; he has more than 18 years of mining and processing experience.
