USA Rare Earth has engaged Fluor Corp. and WSP Global as Engineering, Procurement and Construction Management partners to advance its Definitive Feasibility Study (DFS) for the Round Top Rare Earth Project in Sierra Blanca, Texas. Both firms bring combined experience on multi-billion-dollar mining and processing projects across North America and internationally. Their appointment follows a competitive bid process and is intended to accelerate technical design, risk mitigation and cost estimation for both mine and processing facilities, strengthening the company’s path to commercial production of heavy rare earth oxides.

Under an Accelerated Mine Plan, USA Rare Earth will complete the first phase of its DFS using solvent-extraction pilot results from its Wheat Ridge, Colorado facility—a scope normally addressed in a Pre-Feasibility Study—while operating its demonstration plant for at least 2,000 continuous hours through October 2026. Concurrent confirmatory and geotechnical drilling at Round Top, alongside a heap leach optimization study planned for H1 2026, will inform detailed mine design and processing engineering. Data from these activities are critical to meeting the company’s target of initiating heavy rare earth oxide output by late 2028.

Through its Less Common Metals subsidiary, USA Rare Earth has unveiled plans for a 3,750-metric-ton-per-year metal and alloy production facility in Lacq, France, co-located with the Caremag oxide processing plant set to begin operations in late 2026. The project has secured up to 45% in direct tax credits on eligible equipment and real estate financing support of €152 million under France’s C3IV program, along with workforce development assistance. This integrated platform will create Europe’s first end-to-end rare earth processing and metal-making chain, bolstering transatlantic supply resilience and expanding the company’s downstream footprint.