SMZ: Localizing rare-earth metals production for technological independence

Solikamsk Magnesium Plant (SMZ, part of the mining division of State Corporation Rosatom, managed by JSC Rosatom Nedra) has unveiled a strategy to develop its own technological platform for separating rare-earth metals (REMs).

- “To ensure Russia’s strategic resource sovereignty, it is essential not only to possess our own separation technology but also to localize the production of all necessary components,” stated Alexander Stepanov, Director of Investments and Development at SMZ.

Mr. Stepanov spoke at the roundtable “Current Issues in Developing and Improving Technologies for Extracting Rare and Rare-Earth Metals,” held at JSC Giredmet. This state research and design institute of the rare-metals industry serves as Rosatom’s leading coordinating organization for R&D and engineering in materials science.

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SMZ continues to design a separation production facility. Under the terms of the signed contract, the project is being executed by a Russian company.

Stepanov emphasized that localizing the production of tributyl phosphate (TBP) is economically justified, as raw materials for manufacturing the extractant, including phosphoric acid and butanol, which are readily available domestically.