Aclara expands Project Dynamo to separate yttrium and other elements

Aclara Resources announced on October 6, 2026, that it is expanding the scope of Project Dynamo, its planned rare earth separation plant in Louisiana. The expansion adds separation capabilities for yttrium, gadolinium and samarium to its previously planned production of neodymium-praseodymium, dysprosium and terbium.

To accommodate the new circuits, Aclara is modifying the plant's basic engineering. The number of mixer-settlers in the solvent extraction process will increase from approximately 340 to 478. The company has already doubled the physical footprint of its demonstration facility at Virginia Tech Corporate Research Center in Blacksburg, Virginia, and plans to double its technical staff there. Equipment for the yttrium circuit has arrived at the site, with gadolinium and samarium circuits to follow.

Yttrium accounts for approximately 50% of the rare earth composition at Aclara's Penco Project in Chile and 30% at the Carina Project in Brazil. Based on current technical reports, the company estimates potential annual production of approximately 1,400 tonnes of yttrium contained in super-pure rare earth carbonate at full capacity. The material is used in high-temperature applications, including gas turbines for data center power generation and jet engines.

Project Dynamo has received its State Air Permit from the Louisiana Department of Environmental Quality, while the Penco Module has secured its environmental approval. Aclara is targeting ground breaking in Louisiana in the first quarter of 2027, subject to securing required financing, and is holding preliminary discussions with prospective customers.