USA Rare Earth, Pasqal and Riven Systems entered into a strategic partnership to develop
next-generation separation technologies for the rare earth value chain. The collaboration will use quantum machine learning and automated experimentation to identify new separation molecules that can bind more effectively to rare earth elements than existing alternatives. By improving extractant selection, the partners aim to enable smaller, lower-cost and less energy-intensive processing facilities, while supporting a more efficient and competitive rare earth supply chain.
Combining Quantum Computing and AI-Driven Chemistry
The partnership brings together expertise from the United States and France across critical minerals, quantum computing and industrial chemistry. Under the planned project, Riven Systems will use its self-driving minerals separation laboratory to conduct thousands of automated experiments. The resulting data will help build machine learning models that analyse the selectivity of extractants for different rare earth elements. Pasqal will then use its neutral-atom quantum processing unit (QPU) to benchmark quantum machine learning models against classical computing models trained on data generated by Riven’s autonomous laboratory. The companies will use these insights to support USA Rare Earth’s optimisation of extractant selection for its processing operations.
Addressing Rare Earth Separation Challenges
A major challenge for the rare earth industry outside Asia is separating mixed rare earth carbonate (MREC) into individual rare earth oxides. USA Rare Earth said China currently has a dominant position in this separation capability, particularly for heavy rare earth elements such as dysprosium, terbium and yttrium. The partnership aims to accelerate the discovery of improved separation chemistry and reduce reliance on traditional trial-and-error approaches. According to USA Rare Earth, a purpose-built extractant could potentially reduce processing stages, equipment requirements and raw material consumption. Consequently, the technology could improve capital and operating efficiency while reducing the carbon footprint and environmental impact of processing facilities.
Focus on Multiple Rare Earth Feedstocks
Pasqal and Riven will tailor their research to USA Rare Earth’s expected feedstocks. These include material from the Round Top mine in Sierra Blanca, Texas, as well as third-party MREC and recycled swarf generated during magnet manufacturing. By targeting these feedstocks, the companies aim to develop separation solutions that can potentially support multiple areas of USA Rare Earth’s materials-processing operations.
Quantum Technology for Critical Mineral Supply Chains
Wasiq Bokhari, Chief Executive Officer of Pasqal, said the partnership combines technologies that are becoming increasingly important to industrial competitiveness, economic growth and supply-chain resilience. The companies aim to demonstrate how quantum computing, advanced automation and materials expertise can work together to accelerate innovation in critical mineral processing. The collaboration also brings together companies from the US and France to explore technology-driven solutions for strengthening critical mineral supply chains.
Towards an End-to-End Extractant Discovery Platform
The initial machine learning project could also lead to a broader collaboration between the three companies. Over time, the partners envision an end-to-end extractant discovery process. In this model, a quantum machine learning system would first identify promising extractant molecules. Riven’s self-driving laboratory would then test the candidates automatically. The most promising candidates would subsequently undergo validation at USA Rare Earth’s R&D facility in Wheat Ridge, Colorado, before the company integrates them into its processing flowsheets.
AI and Autonomous Labs Drive the Next Phase
Dr. Orion Archer Cohen, CTO and co-founder of Riven Systems, described AI and autonomous laboratories as an emerging frontier in critical mineral processing. The partnership could therefore demonstrate how advanced computing, automated experimentation and industrial chemistry can accelerate the development of new processing technologies. As reported by globenewswire.com, by combining these capabilities, USA Rare Earth, Pasqal and Riven Systems aim to develop more efficient separation chemistry and support the growth of a competitive Western rare earth value chain.
