Aclara Receives U.s. Government Investment
ACLARA RECEIVES U.S. GOVERNMENT INVESTMENT
TORONTO, ON, September 2, 2025 – Aclara Resources Inc. (“Aclara” or “Company”) (TSX: ARA) is pleased
to announce that U.S. International Development Finance Corporation (“DFC”) has committed up to
US$5,000,000 in project development funding (the “Project Development Funds”) for the Company’s Carina
heavy rare earths project (the “Carina Project”) in Goiás, Brazil. Pursuant to the terms of DFC’s funding, the
Project Development Funds may be converted into equity of the Company upon the Company completing a
single financing event of more than US$50 million, or multiple financing events totaling at least US$75 million
within a period of twelve (12) months (in each case, the “Financing Event”), for the construction of the Carina
Project. Upon the Financing Event, DFC will also have a preferential option to be mandated to directly provide
and/or arrange for financing or investment in the Carina Project.
The strategic investment provided under DFC’s Project Development Program will primarily fund a feasibility
study for the Carina Project. The feasibility study, which was initiated in July 2025 and is expected to be
completed by the end of Q1 2026, is being conducted by Hatch Ltd. (“Hatch”) as a continuation of the pre-
feasibility study scheduled for release in September 2025. The Carina Project is projected to commence
operations in 2028.
DFC is the U.S. Government’s development finance institution that partners with the private sector to
mobilize capital for strategic investments around the world. The Project Development Funds will be released
over the course of the preparation of the feasibility study and will be based on the achievement of milestones
forming integral parts of the feasibility study. No interest is payable on the Project Development Funds, and
the repayment of the Project Development Funds may be triggered by DFC upon the Company achieving the
Financing Event for the construction of the Carina Project. No security interest will be granted by the
Company in connection with the Project Development Funds.
Ramón Barúa, Chief Executive Officer of Aclara, commented: “We are deeply honored to have been selected
by the U.S. DFC as a recipient of the Project Development Funds. This initial investment is not only a validation
of Aclara’s strategy, but also an important first step toward a larger commitment from DFC once we complete
the feasibility study for the Carina Project, which is already underway and expected to be finalized early next
year.
Having such a strong partner helps de -risk the development of our project in Brazil while providing additional
confidence to potential off-takers currently evaluating Aclara as a long -term supplier of heavy rare earths. The
investment also highlights the s trategic importance of heavy rare earths to the United States and the critical
need to secure them from sustainable and reliable sources.
We are proud to welcome DFC as a partner and extend our sincere gratitude to their team for their trust and
commitment. We look forward to building on this collaboration as we advance the Carina Project toward
becoming a cornerstone of a resilient and sustainable Western supply chain.”
Aclara Mine-to-Magnet Strategy
Aclara Resources is making steady progress toward its vertically integrated “mine -to-magnet” strategy,
aimed at establishing a responsible and transparent supply of heavy rare earths for global markets. The
Company is advancing two cornerstone projects in South America —the Carina Module in Brazil and the
Penco Module in Chile —while simultaneously developing a U.S. -based separation facility that will serve as
the critical midstream link in Aclara’s value chain.
In Brazil, Aclara is operating a mixed rare earth carbonate pilot plant, an important milestone that validates
its proprietary Circular Mineral Harvesting process. This environmentally focused technology recycles more
than 95% of water and 99% of reagents, eliminates tailings, and enables complete revegetation of mining
sites—setting a new benchmark for sustainable rare earth production.
In the United States, the Company has completed conceptual engineering for a state -of-the-art separation
facility designed with waste minimization and zero liquid discharge systems. Aclara also announced a
collaboration with Virginia Tech to host and opera te its heavy rare earth separation pilot plant, which will
provide a vital platform for technology validation, process optimization, and workforce training. This initiative
marks a key step toward establishing a full -scale U.S. facility capable of converti ng mixed rare earth
carbonates from Aclara’s South American projects into separated oxides.
Downstream, Aclara is advancing a 50/50 joint venture with Chilean steelmaker CAP S.A. to produce rare
earth metals and alloys, providing the essential feedstock for permanent magnets. Complementing this, the
Company has entered into a strategic alliance w ith global magnet manufacturer V acuumschmelze to
integrate these materials into magnet production, positioning Aclara as one of the only fully ESG -compliant
“mine-to-magnet” supply chains in the world.
About Aclara
Aclara Resources Inc. (TSX: ARA), a Toronto Stock Exchange listed company, is focused on building a
vertically integrated supply chain for rare earths alloys used in permanent magnets. This strategy is
supported by Aclara’s development of rare earth mineral reso urces hosted in ionic clay deposits, which
contain high concentrations of the scarce heavy rare earths, providing the Company with a long-term, reliable
source of these critical materials. The Company’s rare earth mineral resource development projects include
the Carina Project in the State of Goiás, Brazil as its flagship project and the Penco Module in the Bio bío
Region of Chile. Both projects feature Aclara’s patented technology named Circular Mineral Harvesting,
which offers a sustainable and energy -efficient extraction process for rare earths from ionic clay deposits.
The Circular Mineral Harvesting process has been designed to minimize the water consumption and overall
environmental impact through recycling and circular economy principles. Through its wholly -owned
subsidiary, Aclara Technologies Inc., the Company is further enhancing its product value by devel oping a
rare earths separation plant in the United States. This facility will process mixed rare earth carbonates
sourced from Aclara’s mineral resource projects, separating them into pure individual rare earth oxides.
Additionally, Aclara through a joint venture with CAP, is advancing its alloy -making capabilities to convert
these refined oxides into the alloys needed for fabricating permanent magnets. This joint venture leverages
CAP’s extensive expertise in metal refining and special ferro -alloyed steels. Beyond the Carina Project and
the Penco Module, Aclara is committed to expanding its mineral resource portfolio by exploring greenfield
opportunities and further developing projects within its existing concessions in Brazil, and Chile, aiming to
increase future production of heavy rare earths.
Forward-Looking Statements
This news release contains “forward -looking information” within the meaning of applicable securities
legislation, which reflects the Company’s current expectations regarding future events, including statements
with regard to, among other things, the Company’s expectations as to DFC’s funding commitment, the payment
of Project Development Funds , and the Company’s expectations as to the partnership with DFC, the
achievement of the Financing Event, the potential conversion of the Project Development Funds into equity of
the Company, the potential repayment of the Project Development Funds, the option of DFC to provide and/or
arrange for additional financing for or investment in the Carina Project, the completion of the pre-feasibility and
feasibility study for the Carina Project as contemplated by the Company , the projected commencement of
operations at the Carina Project, and the success, effect or outcomes resulting therefrom ,. Forward-looking
information is based on a number of assumptions and is subject to a number of risks and uncertainties, many
of which are beyond the Company’s control. Such risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to risks
related to successfully completing the pre -feasibility study and feasibility study relating to the Carina Project,
operating in a foreign jurisdiction, including political and economic risks in Chile and Brazil; risks related to
changes to mining laws and regulations and the termination or non -renewal of mining rights by governmental
authorities; risks related to failure to comply with the law or obtain necessary permits and licenses or renew
them; cost of compliance with applicable environmental regulations; actual production, capital and operating
costs may be different than those anticipated; the Company may be not able to successfully complete the
development, construction and startup of mines and new development projects; risks related to fluctuation in
commodity prices; risks related to mining operations; and dependence on the Penco Module and/or the Carina
Project. Aclara cautions that the foregoing list of factors is not exhaustive. For a detailed discussion of the
foregoing factors, among others, please refer to the risk factors discussed under “Risk Facto rs” in the
Company’s annual information form dated as of March 20, 2025, filed on the Company’s SEDAR+ profile. Actual
results and timing could differ materially from those projected herein. Unless otherwise noted or the context
otherwise indicates, the fo rward-looking information contained in this press release is provided as of the date
of this press release and the Company does not undertake any obligation to update such forward -looking
information, whether as a result of new information, future events o r otherwise, except as expressly required
under applicable securities laws.
For further information, please contact:
Ramón Barúa Costa
Chief Executive Officer