There are certainly some rumblings on this subject. I understand that an iron ore company in Missouri is proposing something along these lines, but amidst some controversy as to how it would all work out. Also, the US Magnet Materials Association has a link on their Web site to a draft of something called the Rare Earth Supply-Chain Technology and Resources Transformation (RESTART) Act of 2009, available at http://www.usmagnetmaterials.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/05/Restart-Act-Final-10-09.pdf . It includes some language that describes how facilities of this kind might look.

As for the actual logistics and construction side of such facilities, I don’t have any info on that at this time, but will keep my ear to the ground :-)

Gareth

I was writing to ask if you have picked up any chatter about anyone proposing to build ore processing facilities? I read one article about NICOR ?? proposing a cobalt facility just north of Saskatoon. I’m not sure whether that facility would also be processing REEs. I can’t help but think that NEO Materials would be in the forefront here too.
I haven’t heard anything from anyone including GWG about who will build such a facility. Judging from what I’ve read about Mountain Pass, there are some enviornmental issues with the tailings. Have you looked into this, and if you have, could you direct me into an area that would provide information about the process facilities, tailings, and potential constructors?

Best regards,

Tim Starns.