First refinery for critical minerals and rare earths to be built in Africa

It will be the first of its kind on the entire continent, thus promoting industrial autonomy.
Construirán una nueva refinería de minerales críticos

ReElement Technologies and Novare have entered into a strategic alliance to develop the first refining plant for critical minerals and rare earths in Africa . With an initial investment of US$100 million, the project seeks to strengthen the global supply chain of essential materials for the battery and defense industries.

On the new critical minerals refinery

The plant, which will begin construction in the second half of 2025, will be supplied with local and regional raw materials, promoting industrial development on the continent. This refinery, which will also process strategic elements such as lithium carbonate and rare earth oxides, will boost job creation and technology transfer in the region.

Ben Kincaid, CEO of ReElement Technologies Africa, highlighted the importance of the project:

With Novare, we are bringing innovative refining technology to the region, enabling nations to enhance and capture the value of their natural resources and catalyze industrial economic development.

Innovative and sustainable technology

The plant will operate using ReElement ’s patented chromatographic separation and purification technology, a scalable and cost-effective alternative to traditional processes. This method enables high-purity refining with lower environmental impact, differentiating itself from conventional techniques that often generate polluting waste.

Novare, for its part, will provide the capital investment and operational management required for the construction and commissioning of the facility. Ola Leepile, CEO of Novare, emphasized that this project aligns with the company’s vision of being an impact investor by establishing the first battery and critical minerals manufacturing facility in sub-Saharan Africa.

This agreement will benefit Africa and help reduce dependence on foreign markets for the supply of critical minerals . As demand for rare earths and battery components continues to rise, the refinery is emerging as a key player in diversifying supply sources.

ReElement Technologies and Novare continue to advance in the consolidation of this alliance, with the aim of establishing a sustainable and internationally competitive refining model. The start-up of the plant could redefine Africa’s role in the mining of critical minerals , consolidating its position as a global supplier of strategic resources.

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Source: ReElement Technologies

Photo: shutterstock