American Rare Earths Updated Scoping Study Highlights Billion-Dollar Potential-Positioning the Company as a Future Rare Earth Leader in the USA
MWN-AI** Summary
American Rare Earths (ARR) has released an Updated Scoping Study for its Halleck Creek Project in Wyoming, highlighting its potential to establish the company as a leader in the U.S. rare earths sector. The study underscores the project's strong economic viability; a base case of 3 million tonnes per annum (Mtpa) presents a net present value (NPV) of US$558 million and an internal rate of return (IRR) of 24%, with a low-capital expenditure (CAPEX) of US$456 million. A scalable option of 6 Mtpa further amplifies ARR's potential, yielding an NPV of US$1.17 billion and an IRR of 28.4% with a CAPEX of $737 million.
ARR's first-mover advantage stems from its exclusive state land tenure, expediting permitting processes and minimizing reliance on foreign processing, particularly critical as China controls over 90% of global rare earth refining. The current JORC resource of 2.63 billion tonnes signifies significant scalability; the initial phase will mine only 2.4% of this resource while still allowing for future expansion.
The Halleck Creek Project stands out due to its comprehensive U.S. supply chain capabilities, which include mining, refining, and producing high-purity rare earth oxides. This strategy is aligned with national priorities for securing domestic critical mineral supplies crucial for defense and advanced technologies.
CEO Chris Gibbs emphasized the clear path to production, anticipating a first output as soon as 2029, and plans for a pilot plant to initiate the beneficiation process. The Halleck Creek Project not only represents a transformative opportunity for American Rare Earths but also plays a pivotal role in reducing U.S. dependence on rare earth imports, marking a significant step toward critical mineral independence.
MWN-AI** Analysis
American Rare Earths (ASX: ARR | OTCQX: ARRNF) has recently published an Updated Scoping Study for its Halleck Creek Project, revealing a clear trajectory toward becoming a major player in the increasingly vital rare earths sector in the U.S. This analysis highlights strong economic indicators, scalability, and strategic positioning that could provide investors with significant opportunities.
The study outlines two main production scenarios: a base case of 3 million tonnes per annum (Mtpa) and an ambitious 6 Mtpa case. The former suggests an NPV10% of $558 million and an IRR of 24%, while the latter forecasts the potential for $1.17 billion in NPV10% and an IRR of 28.4%. Such promising metrics, combined with relatively low capital expenditures—$456 million for the base case and $737 million for the expansion—indicate robust project economics and minimal financial risk.
Moreover, being situated on state land in Wyoming offers ARR a distinct first-mover advantage regarding permitting, crucial in a landscape often hindered by regulatory delays on federal lands. This allows the company to move rapidly toward production, crucial for addressing the urgent need for domestic sourcing of critical materials amidst rising geopolitical tensions and reliance on foreign imports.
Investors should also take note of the project’s scalability. With only 2.4% of the 2.63 billion tonnes JORC resource intended for the first phase, there is considerable room for expansion, aligning with the growing global demand for rare earths in high-tech and defense sectors.
With an integrated supply chain approach and a commitment to domestic production, ARR positions itself as a hedge against fluctuating international markets. Investors looking for exposure in the rare earths sector may find American Rare Earths an attractive and strategically important investment opportunity, especially as the U.S. continues to prioritize critical mineral independence.
**MWN-AI Summary and Analysis is based on asking OpenAI to summarize and analyze this news release.
- Strong economics, scalable growth: 3 Mtpa base case offers NPV10% of US$558M, IRR 24%, with a low-risk CAPEX of US$456M.
- Billion-dollar potential: 6 Mtpa case delivers NPV10% of US$1.17B, IRR 28.4%, and CAPEX of US$737M.
- First-mover advantage: State land tenure accelerates permitting, positioning ARR as a leading U.S.-based rare earths developer independent of tariffs and reliance on foreign processing.
- Vast Scalability & Growth: The 3 Mtpa Phase 1 will mine ~62.3Mt of ore over 20 years, utilizing just ~2.4% of the 2.63Bt JORC resource. With further studies underway, Halleck Creek could support a larger, long-term operation, with potential for extended mine life and increased production capacity.
- Deposit remains open at depth and along strike, with the current JORC resource of 2.63Bt covering only ~16% of the greater Halleck Creek surface area, highlighting significant expansion potential.
DENVER, Feb. 24, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- American Rare Earths (ASX: ARR | OTCQX: ARRNF and AMRRY) (“ARR” or the “Company”) is pleased to announce the results of its Updated Halleck Creek Scoping Study, confirming the project’s strong economics, scalability, and strategic importance.
Compiled by independent engineering firm Stantec Consulting Services Inc., the Study highlights Halleck Creek’s strong economic potential, strategic advantages, and clear pathway to development as a U.S.-based rare earths project. Located in Wyoming, a Tier 1 mining jurisdiction, Halleck Creek benefits from state land tenure, allowing for accelerated permitting and development.
Compelling Economics & Scalable Growth
The Updated Scoping Study confirms Halleck Creek as a world-class rare earths project with robust financials and long-term scalability:
- 3 Mtpa Base Case:
- NPV10% of US$558 million, IRR of 24%
- CAPEX of US$456 million, with a 2.7-year payback period
- Annual production: ~4,169 metric tons of TREO, including 1,833 metric tons of NdPr oxide
- 6 Mtpa Case:
- NPV10% of US$1.171 billion, IRR of 28.4%
- CAPEX of US$737 million, with a 1.8-year payback period
- Annual production: ~7,661 metric tons of TREO, including 3,344 metric tons of NdPr oxide
First-Mover Advantage & U.S. Supply Chain Security
As the only large-scale rare earths project in the U.S. with a clear path to production, ARR is positioned to secure a domestic, tariff-free supply of critical minerals for U.S. and allied markets.
- China controls over 90% of global rare earth refining. With the U.S. prioritizing supply chain security, ARR is uniquely positioned as a credible U.S.-based developer to deliver a fully integrated solution—from mining to refining.
- State land tenure accelerates permitting , avoiding the lengthy delays often associated with projects on federal land.
- Halleck Creek's 100% U.S.-based production and refining will ensure a secure, domestic supply of rare earth oxide metals—eliminating reliance on foreign supply chains and reinforcing the 'Made in America' commitment.
- Deposit remains open at depth and along strike, with the current JORC resource of 2.63Bt covering only ~16% of the greater Halleck Creek project area, highlighting significant expansion potential.
Clear Development Pathway & Future Growth
Halleck Creek’s staged development approach ensures financial and operational flexibility, allowing ARR to scale production in alignment with market demand:
- Base Case: 3 Mtpa – Low-risk entry to production to produce an average of 4,169 mt of TREO per annum, including 1,833 mt of NdPr Oxide.
- Alternate Case: Scalable to 6 Mtpa – Enhancing project economics, producing an average of 7,661 mt TREO per annum, including 3,334 mt of NdPr Oxide
- Future Expansion Potential: The Cowboy State Mine (“CSM”) represents only Phase 1 of Halleck Creek’s development, benefiting from a strategic permitting advantage. The 20-year CSM LOM plan includes mining approximately 62.3 Mt of ore—just ~2.4% of the total 2,627 Mt JORC Mineral Resource—highlighting the vast potential for extended mine life and increased production in future phases. Given the increasing demand for rare earths, ARR is evaluating further studies, as Halleck Creek could support a much larger, long-term operation, with potential for extended mine life and increased production capacity that could position ARR among the top rare earth producers outside China.
CEO Commentary
Chris Gibbs, CEO of American Rare Earths, commented:
"The Updated Scoping Study reinforces Halleck Creek strong economic potential, strategic permitting advantage and clear pathway to development. With a large-scale resource and favorable economics, we are uniquely positioned to help secure America’s rare earth supply and reduce dependence on foreign sources.”
"The 6 Mtpa case highlights Halleck Creek’s billion-dollar potential, delivering an NPV10% of US$1.17B and an IRR of 28%, showcasing the project’s scalability. The 3 Mtpa base case offers a low-risk entry point, producing 1,833 metric tonnes of NdPr oxide annually, with an NPV10% of US$558M, an IRR of 24%, and a 2.7-year payback period.”
"With a scalable development pathway under evaluation, Halleck Creek has the potential to become a major supplier to U.S. and allied markets. Future production scenarios could position ARR among the top rare earth producers outside China, reinforcing America’s supply chain security for decades to come.”
"And we’re not just mining—we are developing a fully integrated U.S. supply chain, refining and producing high-purity rare earth oxides for American manufacturers. Halleck Creek aligns with the growing push for Made-in-America critical minerals, securing a domestic supply for defense, aerospace, and high-tech manufacturing.”
Next Steps & Milestones
Building on strong execution in 2024, ARR is advancing key milestones to further de-risk and develop Halleck Creek, as outlined in the Updated Scoping Study and supported by recent metallurgy results. These developments reinforce the project's scalability and strategic importance as a leading U.S. rare earths asset. With a staged development approach, first production could be as early as 2029, subject to ongoing technical and economic assessments. The Company is looking at ways to fast-track development, including plans to commence Phase One of a pilot plant for the beneficiation process. The roadmap ahead highlights key next steps for 2025 and the next major stage gate in the project’s development.
A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/224ae98d-757f-41a1-9001-3bd9344cb207
A full Appendix and Technical Summary for the Updated Scoping Study can be found here . The study was completed with the expertise of experienced and reputable independent engineering consulting firms: Stantec, Tetra Tech and Odessa Resources.
This release was authorized by the board of directors of ARR.
About American Rare Earths Limited:
American Rare Earths (ASX: ARR | OTCQX: ARRNF | ADR: AMRRY) is a critical minerals company at the forefront of reshaping the U.S. rare earths industry. Through its wholly owned subsidiary, Wyoming Rare (USA) Inc., the company is advancing the Halleck Creek Project in Wyoming—a world-class rare earth deposit with the potential to secure America’s critical mineral independence for generations. The Halleck Creek Project boasts a JORC-compliant resource of 2.63 billion tonnes, representing approximately 16% of the greater Halleck Creek project surface area, making it one of the largest rare earth deposits in the United States. Located on Wyoming State land, the Cowboy State Mine within Halleck Creek offers cost-efficient open-pit mining methods and benefits from streamlined permitting processes in this mining-friendly state.
With plans for onsite mineral processing and separation facilities, Halleck Creek is strategically positioned to reduce U.S. reliance on imports—predominantly from China—while meeting the growing demand for rare earth elements essential to defense, advanced technologies, and economic security. As exploration progresses, the project’s untapped potential on both State and Federal lands further reinforces its significance as a cornerstone of U.S. supply chain security. In addition to its resource potential, American Rare Earths is committed to environmentally responsible mining practices and continues to collaborate with U.S. Government-supported R&D programs to develop innovative extraction and processing technologies for rare earth elements.
The opportunities ahead for Halleck Creek are transformational, positioning it as a multi-generational resource that aligns with U.S. national priorities for critical mineral independence.
For additional information
Media Contact:
Susan Assadi
sassadi@americanree.com
347 977 7125
Investor Relations US Contact:
Beverly Jedynak
Beverly.jedynak@viriathus.com
312 943 1123
Table 1 – Mineral Resource Estimate at Halleck Creek (1000ppm TREO cut off)
| Classification | Tonnage | Grade | Contained Material | ||||||
| TREO | LREO | HREO | MREO | TREO | LREO | HREO | MREO | ||
| t | ppm | ppm | ppm | ppm | t | t | t | t | |
| Measured | 206,716,068 | 3,720 | 3,352 | 370 | 904 | 769,018 | 692,935 | 76,550 | 186,836 |
| Indicated | 1,272,604,372 | 3,271 | 2,900 | 360 | 852 | 4,162,386 | 3,689,999 | 458,140 | 1,084,256 |
| Meas + Ind | 1,479,320,439 | 3,334 | 2,963 | 361 | 859 | 4,931,405 | 4,382,934 | 534,691 | 1,271,092 |
| Inferred | 1,147,180,795 | 3,239 | 2,878 | 361 | 837 | 3,715,661 | 3,302,005 | 413,651 | 960,355 |
| Total | 2,626,501,234 | 3,292 | 2,926 | 361 | 850 | 8,647,066 | 7,684,939 | 948,341 | 2,231,447 |
FAQ**
How does ARMOUR Residential REIT Inc. ARR plan to utilize the strong economics of the Halleck Creek project to enhance its portfolio, considering the NPV and IRR figures presented in the 3 Mtpa and 6 Mtpa scenarios?
What strategies will ARMOUR Residential REIT Inc. ARR implement to capitalize on the first-mover advantage in the U.S. rare earths industry and ensure its independence from foreign processing?
Given the vast scalability potential of Halleck Creek, how does ARMOUR Residential REIT Inc. ARR intend to approach the permitting timeline and expansion studies to ensure timely increases in production capacity?
In light of the current market dynamics, how will ARMOUR Residential REIT Inc. ARR position itself to meet the growing demand for rare earth elements while maintaining its commitment to environmentally responsible mining practices?
**MWN-AI FAQ is based on asking OpenAI questions about ARMOUR Residential REIT Inc. (NYSE: ARR).
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