Aclara Resources (TSX: ARA) said Tuesday it secured up to $5 million from the US International Development Finance Corporation to fund the feasibility study for its Carina heavy rare-earth project in mid-western Brazil.
The DFC commitment may be converted into equity, and the agency holds a preferential option to provide or arrange additional financing. The structure is intended to accelerate Aclara’s technical work while preserving future capital flexibility.
The funding aligns with Western efforts to reduce reliance on China for rare-earth supply. Aclara is in talks with the agencies as part of a $1.5 billion plan to mine ionic clays in Latin America and build processing capacity in the US.
Management said the DFC partnership is expected to increase confidence among potential off-takers for Carina’s heavy rare-earth output used in electric vehicles and wind turbines.
Aclara is 57% owned by the Hochschild Group. The company highlighted the Pentagon’s recent arrangement to take a stake in MP Materials as a sign of growing US support for domestic and allied rare-earth supply chains.
The study is scheduled to be completed early next year. Aclara aims to begin production from deposits in Chile and Brazil by 2028.
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