Mont Royal Resources has partnered with Alta Resource Technologies to investigate a novel protein-based method for producing high-purity rare earth oxides from the Ashram Project, aiming to deepen its processing capabilities within North America’s critical minerals supply chain.
- Joint Study Agreement signed to assess protein-based rare earth separation
- Focus on producing high-purity rare earth oxides from Ashram mixed carbonate
- Potential development of a North American refining facility
- Alta’s engineered protein technology offers cleaner, modular processing
- Ashram Project’s 2026 PEA forecasts 30-year mine life and strong economics
Mont Royal Advances Downstream Rare Earth Processing Ambitions
Mont Royal Resources (ASX:MRZ) has taken a significant step toward expanding its footprint in the rare earths value chain by signing a Joint Study Agreement (JSA) with Alta Resource Technologies. The collaboration aims to evaluate Alta’s engineered protein-based separation technology on the mixed rare earth carbonate (MREC) feedstock from Mont Royal’s Ashram Project in Quebec, Canada.
This move signals Mont Royal’s intent to move beyond producing mixed rare earth carbonates and explore the production of separated, high-purity rare earth oxides (REO) domestically within North America. Such a development could enhance the company’s position in the supply chain for permanent magnets, advanced technologies, and defence applications; sectors where secure Western supply of critical minerals is increasingly strategic.
Alta’s Protein-Based Separation Offers a Modular and Cleaner Alternative
Alta’s technology is a departure from conventional hydrometallurgical methods. Using engineered proteins designed to selectively bind specific rare earth ions, the process promises a modular, potentially lower-capital intensity approach with reduced environmental footprint. Alta has demonstrated high selectivity and yields exceeding 90% on various feedstocks, including intralanthanide separations of NdPr, Dy, Tb, and SEG+ elements with purities above 99.5%.
Alta’s recent partnerships, notably a joint venture with Korea Zinc’s US subsidiary PedalPoint to recycle rare earth magnets, underscore its growing industry presence and expertise in rare earth separation technologies.
Ashram Project Economics and Strategic Positioning
The Ashram Rare Earths and Fluorspar Project is among North America’s largest undeveloped rare earth deposits. The 2026 Preliminary Economic Assessment (PEA) projects a 30-year mine life with average annual production of 17,466 tonnes of saleable rare earth oxides, including 4,035 tonnes of neodymium-praseodymium oxide. The PEA outlines a post-tax net present value of C$2.03 billion and an internal rate of return of 22%, reflecting robust economics at this stage.
Processing Ashram’s MREC into separated oxides domestically aligns with the Canada-U.S. Joint Action Plan on Critical Minerals, aiming to secure integrated continental supply chains. This collaboration could also support the potential establishment of a commercial refining facility in North America, further strengthening supply chain resilience.
Leadership Perspectives on the Partnership’s Potential
Mont Royal’s Managing Director Nicholas Holthouse emphasised the strategic opportunity: "The ability to take that product further downstream and potentially produce separated, high-purity rare earth oxides in North America represents a significant opportunity for Mont Royal." He highlighted the value of partnering with Alta to access innovative separation technology without developing it independently.
Alta’s CEO Nathan Ratledge described the partnership as combining Mont Royal’s world-class resource with Alta’s purpose-built separation technology to provide a durable North American rare earth supply chain, critical for Western manufacturers of permanent magnets and advanced technologies.
Bottom Line?
Mont Royal’s partnership with Alta could redefine North America’s rare earth processing landscape if protein-based separation proves scalable and economically viable.
Questions in the middle?
- Will Alta’s engineered protein technology achieve comparable purity and yield with Ashram’s mixed rare earth carbonate?
- Could this collaboration lead to a commercial refining facility that shifts North American rare earth supply chains?
- How might geopolitical and market dynamics influence the adoption of this novel separation technology?