Marquee Resources has entered a 24-month patent license and option agreement with UT-Battelle LLC, granting access to advanced rare earth element separation technologies from Oak Ridge National Laboratory. This positions Marquee to explore downstream processing opportunities for its Redlings REE Project in Western Australia.
- 24-month R&D patent license with UT-Battelle LLC linked to US Department of Energy
- Access to patented rare earth separation technologies including NEAREST and adjacent lanthanide methods
- License covers Australia and the United States, focused on Marquee’s Redlings REE Project
- Option to negotiate a commercial license during the term
- Milestones include proof of concept by September 2026 and prototype by June 2027
Strategic IP License Agreement with Oak Ridge National Laboratory
Marquee Resources Limited (ASX:MQR) has formalised a Research and Development Patent License and Option Agreement with UT-Battelle LLC, the operator of Oak Ridge National Laboratory under contract with the United States Department of Energy (DOE). This 24-month agreement grants Marquee access to patented rare earth element (REE) extraction and separation technologies, including methods for separating adjacent lanthanide elements and the Neutral Ligand-Based Rare Earth Element Separation Technology (NEAREST).
The licensed intellectual property is intended for use in Australia and the United States and specifically applies to Marquee’s Redlings REE Project in Western Australia. The agreement also provides Marquee with an option to negotiate a commercial license for the extraction and separation of rare earth elements and oxides during the term.
Significance for Downstream Rare Earth Processing
Rare earth separation is widely recognised as a critical and strategically sensitive stage in the supply chain for electrification, permanent magnets, defence systems, and advanced manufacturing. Marquee’s Executive Chairman Charles Thomas highlighted the importance of this agreement, noting that it offers a differentiated platform to evaluate advanced separation pathways within a framework connected to Oak Ridge National Laboratory and the DOE.
He emphasised that rare earth separation represents a bottleneck between geological potential and downstream value creation. Access to these patented technologies could enhance Marquee’s ability to develop higher-value downstream processing options for the Redlings REE Project and potentially other REE deposits the company may acquire.
Project Context and Future Milestones
The Redlings REE Project, located in Western Australia, has a Maiden JORC Mineral Resource Estimate of 11 million tonnes at 1,130 ppm total rare earth oxides (TREO), containing approximately 12,430 tonnes of REO, including 2,316 tonnes of magnetic rare earth oxides (MREO). A broader JORC Exploration Target suggests potential for significant resource expansion through infill drilling.
Under the agreement, Marquee aims to deliver proof of concept using up to three different REE ores from its projects by 30 September 2026, followed by a prototype of a licensed product for element and oxide separation by 30 June 2027. The company must apply for a commercial license by 29 February 2028 if it chooses to proceed.
Strategic Positioning Within the Critical Minerals Sector
This agreement complements Marquee’s broader strategic efforts in critical minerals, following recent announcements such as the substantial expansion of its Mt Clement antimony resource. The company’s ongoing exploration and development activities across multiple projects, including rare earths and antimony, reflect a diversified approach to critical minerals supply chains.
Marquee’s engagement with Oak Ridge National Laboratory’s DOE-linked technologies places it in a select group of companies with access to advanced rare earth separation methods, potentially enhancing its competitive positioning in the downstream processing segment. This is a notable development given the increasing global focus on supply chain resilience and value capture in critical minerals.
For further context on Marquee’s recent resource growth and strategic initiatives, see the company’s update on its Mt Clement antimony resource expansion.
Bottom Line?
Marquee’s access to Oak Ridge’s rare earth separation IP offers a promising platform to explore downstream processing, but commercial outcomes depend on successful R&D and future licensing negotiations.
Questions in the middle?
- Will Marquee’s R&D efforts validate the efficiency and scalability of the licensed separation technologies for its Redlings REE Project?
- How might the option to negotiate a commercial license influence Marquee’s project economics and market positioning if exercised?
- What are the potential implications of the US manufacturing requirements embedded in any future commercial license for Marquee’s operations?