American Rare Earths (ASX:ARR) said it is progressing plans for a pilot plant program to produce pre-production rare earth concentrate from Halleck Creek ore in the US, appointing metallurgical engineer Jaye Pickarts to lead the process, according to a Wednesday Australian bourse filing.
The company said Pickarts is a registered professional engineer and independent contractor with more than four decades of experience in mine development, mineral processing, and environmental compliance.
To support the pilot program, American Rare Earths said it has ordered three key pieces of processing equipment for the front end of the circuit.
The company's shares rose 6% in recent Wednesday trade.