Pensana plans $125M rare earth separation facility in England
UK-based Pensanaplans to build, subject to funding, a US$125-million sustainable rare earth separation facility at the Saltend Chemicals Park (“SCP”) in Humber, UK. Targeted production is around 12,500 annualized tonnes of rare earth oxides, including 4,500 tonnes of magnet metal rare earth oxides (NdPr), which would represent approximately 5% of 2025 projected world demand.
The Saltend plant would purify rare earth sulfates, which would be imported from the company’s Longonjo mine in Angola.
Saltend has the potential to become the first major separation facility to be established in over a decade—one of only three major producers outside China—at a critical juncture when Europe depends on China for 98% of its rare earth magnets.