Wedoany.com Report-Jun 27, Energy Fuels, a U.S.-based producer of uranium and rare earth elements (REEs), has received final regulatory approval from the Government of Victoria, Australia, for the Donald Rare Earth and Mineral Sand Project in 2025. This milestone allows the joint venture with Australia-based Astron to proceed with financing arrangements ahead of a final investment decision (FID) expected by the end of 2025.

The project is set to provide Energy Fuels with a long-term supply of monazite and xenotime-bearing REE mineral concentrate.

The Donald Project, a partnership where Energy Fuels can invest A$183 million ($119 million) and $17.5 million in shares to earn a 49% stake, will supply REE mineral concentrate (REEC), including monazite and xenotime, to Energy Fuels’ White Mesa Mill in Utah, USA. Phase one, set to begin in 2026, will produce 7,000–8,000 tonnes per annum (tpa) of REEC, containing significant amounts of neodymium-praseodymium (NdPr), terbium, and dysprosium oxides. Phase two will expand output to 13,000–14,000 tpa.

“The work plan approval for the Donald Project is significant as it moves us one step closer to creating an important link between the United States and Australia on rare earths and critical minerals,” said Mark S. Chalmers, president and CEO of Energy Fuels. “We believe the Donald Project is exceptional, as it contains large quantities of the ‘light’, ‘mid’ and ‘heavy’ rare earth oxides needed for a variety of commercial, clean energy and defence technologies.”

The project’s REEC will utilize approximately 22–23% of the expanded processing capacity at White Mesa Mill, which is being upgraded to handle 60,000 tonnes of REEC annually, yielding about 6,000 tonnes of isolated NdPr. Profits from the joint venture will be shared based on ownership stakes between Energy Fuels and Astron.

Construction could start soon after a positive FID, supporting the project’s timeline for 2026 production. Additionally, Energy Fuels has partnered with Chemours Company to enhance U.S. supply chains for REEs and critical minerals, leveraging operational and geographic synergies to meet growing demand.

The Donald Project strengthens collaboration between Australia and the U.S., providing a reliable source of critical minerals for clean energy and advanced technologies while promoting sustainable resource development.