American Rare Earths accelerates Halleck Creek pilot plant pathway with key hires and equipment
American Rare Earths Ltd (ASX:ARR, OTCQX:ARRNF) is fast-tracking development at its flagship Halleck Creek project in Wyoming, advancing plans for a pilot plant program aimed at producing pre-production rare earth concentrate as it moves closer to potential commercialisation. The company has...
American Rare Earths Ltd(ASX:ARROTCQX:ARRNF) View Price & Profile American Rare Earths accelerates Halleck Creek pilot plant pathway with key hires and equipment
Last updated: 21:11 31 Mar 2026 EDT, First published: 20:52 31 Mar 2026 EDT
American Rare Earths Ltd (ASX:ARR, OTCQX:ARRNF) is fast-tracking development at its flagship Halleck Creek project in Wyoming, advancing plans for a pilot plant program aimed at producing pre-production rare earth concentrate as it moves closer to potential commercialisation.
The company has engaged veteran metallurgical engineer Jaye T. Pickarts to lead the pilot plant process, bringing more than four decades of experience across mine development, mineral processing and rare earth demonstration facilities. His appointment is expected to support the integration and optimisation of the pilot circuit as ARR looks to de-risk the next stage of development.
The update builds on recent progress at Halleck Creek, where ARR has been sharpening its downstream strategy, including an oxide-to-metal study and collaboration with a US government-backed research program to strengthen domestic supply chain capabilities.
Front-end processing circuit taking shape
ARR has also moved quickly to secure critical equipment for the pilot plant, ordering and receiving key components for the front end of the processing circuit.
Two Induced Roll Magnetic Separators (IRMS) from Mineral Technologies have already been delivered, while a GradePro Reflux Classifier from FLSmidth is being fabricated on an expedited timeline. The remainder of the circuit will rely on conventional processing equipment, allowing the company to focus on integrating these specialised units efficiently.
The flowsheet combines density and magnetic separation to upgrade rare earth mineralisation from Halleck Creek ore. The reflux classifier is designed to reject lower-density material such as feldspar and quartz, while concentrating heavier rare earth-bearing minerals, including allanite. This is followed by magnetic separation to further enhance concentrate quality.
Preliminary test work has delivered encouraging results, with around 94% gangue rejection, roughly 70% total rare earth oxide (TREO) recovery and a tenfold increase in grade relative to feed, supporting the effectiveness of the proposed processing pathway.
Bulk sample supports pilot-scale production
The company is well positioned to supply the pilot program, holding an exploration permit to mine up to 60,000 tonnes of ore for testing. To date, approximately 3,100 tonnes of Halleck Creek material has already been mined and stockpiled.
This material will be used to produce representative pre-production concentrates, which are expected to underpin further metallurgical validation, support downstream processing studies and assist in ongoing discussions with potential strategic partners and customers.
“We are moving with speed to produce a pre-production concentrate from our ore,” ARR managing director and CEO Mark Wall said. “The work to bring together the pilot processing much faster than planned helps us expedite this project and bring the largest known total rare earth oxide deposit in the domestic United States a step closer to production.”
Advancing a US supply chain cornerstone
Halleck Creek is emerging as a key asset in efforts to build a domestic rare earths supply chain in the United States, where policymakers and industry are seeking to reduce reliance on imports, particularly from China.
By combining a large-scale Wyoming resource with pilot-scale processing, established equipment and experienced technical leadership, ARR is positioning the project on a clearer pathway from exploration through to potential production.
The pilot plant program represents a critical step in that progression, bridging the gap between laboratory-scale test work and full-scale development as the company continues to refine its processing strategy and commercial partnerships.