Aclara's Penco study nearly doubles project valuation
2026-10-21 11:15:02 [Print]
An updated preliminary economic assessment (PEA) has nearly doubled the post-tax net present value (NPV) of Aclara Resources' Penco Module ionic clay rare earths project in Chile to C$344 million. The mine life has been extended to 17 years, with 30.8 million tonnes to be processed and a "super pure" carbonate produced grading approximately 6% dysprosium, 0.8% terbium, 54.5% yttrium and 4.2% gadolinium. Measured and indicated resources now stand at 35.8 million tonnes at 2,095 ppm total rare earth oxides (TREO), with construction targeted for completion in 2028 and integration into Aclara's planned Dynamo processing plant in Louisiana.
Both Penco and Brazil's Carina Module exploit shallow ionic clays, eliminating the need for blasting, crushing and grinding.
The updated PEA assumes a 55% increase in material processed compared with the 2021 plan, to 30.8 million tonnes.
Measured and indicated resources now contain 75,025 tonnes of TREO, a 19% increase in contained rare earths.
Inferred resources rise to 2.2 million tonnes at 1,768 ppm TREO, for 3,848 tonnes of contained TREO (+14%).
Average annual rare earth oxide (REO) output is now forecast at 732 tonnes, approximately 5% below the 2021 PEA.
Final environmental approval for Penco was granted in June following a permitting process spanning more than four years.
Aclara targets completion of the Penco feasibility study in the first quarter of 2027, with mine construction finishing in 2028.
Construction of the Dynamo plant in Louisiana is planned to begin in early 2027, to be fed by ore from Penco and Carina.
Both Penco and Brazil's Carina Module exploit shallow ionic clays, eliminating the need for blasting, crushing and grinding.
The updated PEA assumes a 55% increase in material processed compared with the 2021 plan, to 30.8 million tonnes.
Measured and indicated resources now contain 75,025 tonnes of TREO, a 19% increase in contained rare earths.
Inferred resources rise to 2.2 million tonnes at 1,768 ppm TREO, for 3,848 tonnes of contained TREO (+14%).
Average annual rare earth oxide (REO) output is now forecast at 732 tonnes, approximately 5% below the 2021 PEA.
Final environmental approval for Penco was granted in June following a permitting process spanning more than four years.
Aclara targets completion of the Penco feasibility study in the first quarter of 2027, with mine construction finishing in 2028.
Construction of the Dynamo plant in Louisiana is planned to begin in early 2027, to be fed by ore from Penco and Carina.
