Battelle, Rare Earth Salts Team on Department of Energy Project

Battelle is teaming with Rare Earth Salts (RES) on a potentially
groundbreaking project for the United States Department of Energy’s
National Energy Technology Laboratory.

The project, Recovery of High Purity Rare Earth Elements (REEs) from
Coal Ash via a Novel Separations Process, will produce valuable Rare
Earth Oxides from coal fly ash, converting them to the high purities
necessary for a saleable product.

The two organizations will advance the development of REE processing by
combining RES novel separation and purification process and Battelle’s
Acid Digestion Process. Under this project they will validate that they
can generate environmentally benign and economically sustainable REE
products from domestic coal ash sources at purities above 90 percent.

The total funding for the project is about $875,000.

Battelle’s Acid Digestion Process selectively leaches REE from the coal
fly ash. What is unique is that the chemicals are almost entirely
recycled instead of being lost to leaching during the process. This
approach dramatically reduces costs, allows the exclusion of key
contaminants, and provides a concentrated source of REEs along with
other co-products. This process was originally used by Battelle to
sustainably and safely disarm expired artillery munitions.

“This is an important project to prove the viability of this approach,”
said Rick Peterson, Battelle Research Scientist. “The need to recover
Rare Earth Elements in the United States is of national importance,
since so much of the capacity to produce these critical materials lies
outside the U.S.”

RES’ proprietary separation technology is cost efficient and
environmentally friendly. The Company recycles its manufacturing inputs
so virtually no waste is created, making RES the most sustainable
producer of rare earth oxides globally. RES began commercial production
of rare earth oxides at its Nebraska-based facility earlier this year
with a standard purity of 99.9%.

“Our technology positions us to be a primary producer of consistent,
low-cost, rare earth oxides to Western economies,” said Cameron Davies,
Chief Executive Officer of RES. “As we seek additional sources of
domestic rare earth feedstock, coal fly ash presents a promising
opportunity. Battelle is a world-class partner, and we look forward to
working together to meet the objectives of the U.S. Department of
Energy.”

About Battelle

Every day, the people of Battelle apply science and technology to
solving what matters most. At major technology centers and national
laboratories around the world, Battelle conducts research and
development, designs and manufactures products, and delivers critical
services for government and commercial customers. Headquartered in
Columbus, Ohio since its founding in 1929, Battelle serves the national
security, health and life sciences, energy and environmental industries.
For more information, visit www.battelle.org.

About Rare Earth Salts

Rare Earth Salts is a leading materials technology company and producer
of rare earth oxides. The Company has developed a patent pending
industrial technology proven to efficiently and economically separate
and refine all 16 Rare Earth Elements to high purity. The process is
environmentally friendly and demonstrates a significant cost advantage
versus standard processing. For more information visit: www.rareearthsalts.com.

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