What we do

REN will produce a mixed rare-earth concentrate that can be processed for use in various applications and industries, with permanent magnets using neodymium and praseodymium being the most important end market. These magnets are vital components in most modern high-tech products, including electric cars and wind turbines. The REEs help make the magnets lighter and more powerful.

From mine to magnet

The process from mine to magnet consists of six stages, the first three of which will be managed by REN. We are currently in discussions with other industrial players to set up a complete, sustainably-based value chain to serve European industry with permanent magnets.

1. Mining

Carbonatite ore from the Fen deposit will be extracted from an underground mine, crushed, and transported to the processing facility.

2. Beneficiation(mineral processing)

Through a process of milling and flotation, minerals with rare earths are separated from other minerals to produce a mineral concentrate for further processing.

3. Hydrometallurgy

The mineral concentrate is dissolved in a chemical process and the rare earth elements are precipitated as a mixed rare earths concentrate.

4. Separation

The mixed rare earth concentrate, containing up to 17 rare earth elements, undergoes a complex process to separate and purify the various rare earth elements as oxides.

5. Metal production

The oxides are transformed to metals through an electrolytic process and mixed with iron metal to form alloys.

6. Magnet production

The REE alloys are processed and shaped through heat treatment or moulding and then magnetized. These magnets are used in a wide range of applications, from consumer electronics to electric cars and wind turbines.