$ARA.TO

Aclara Resources Upgraded to Outperform at RBC

Aclara Resources Inc. (ARA.TO) was upgraded to Outperform from Sector Perform at RBC Capital Markets.Analyst Andrew D. Wong raised his price target on shares of the rare earth mining company to $6 from $3."We believe Aclara has a strong strategic position as Western-aligned countries are determined to reduce reliance on Chinese rare earth supply, especially for heavy rare earths (HREE)," Wong said in a note to clients."We see continued progress at Aclara's flagship Carina project which was recently validated by the Serra Verde acquisition (similar size, same locale, later stage, compared to Carina) that included a US government-backed offtake including price floors," the analyst said."Aclara also has further optionality with projects in separation, metals processing, and the Chile project that may be permitted by mid-year."

Aclara Files Results Of Feasibility Study For Flagship Carina Project and Technical Reports On Integrated Heavy Rare Earths Supply Chain

Aclara Resources (ARA.TO) announced Monday the filing and results of the feasibility study for the company 's flagship asset, the Carina Project in the State of Goias, Brazil, highlighting after-tax net present value of US$1.7 billion based on mineral reserves.Separately, Aclara announced results of a series of technical studies supporting its integrated heavy rare earths supply chain, spanning from mining operations to the production of permanent magnet alloys. The studies include a feasibility study for the Carina Project, a scoping study for the company's separation project, and a Front-end Loaded 2 (FEL 2) Technical Report (pre-feasibility study level) for its metals and alloys project.Aclara said it is advancing two ionic clay deposits in Brazil and Chile "capable of producing a mixed rare earth carbonate with very high concentrations of heavy rare earth elements", particularly those restricted under China's export controls. "To help build a reliable supply chain outside of China, Aclara is also establishing a U.S.-based processing hub that will separate MREC into individual rare earth oxides and further transform these oxides into metals and alloys tailored to the needs of permanent magnet manufacturers," it added.On the Carina Project, Aclara's COO, Hugh Broadhurst, said, "Completing a Feasibility Study only six months after our Pre-Feasibility Study is a significant achievement....The level of engineering detail we are presenting today is substantial -- and it reflects the considerable work that has gone into the Carina Project from the very beginning."We remain the only company in the world to report heavy rare earth Mineral Reserves from ionic clays in accordance with NI 43-101. We have demonstrated our metallurgical process via a continuously operated pilot plant. This FS builds on such foundation with a level of rigor appropriate to the significance of the project."Shares in ARA rose 1.7% in Canada last Friday.

Aclara Announcing Results from Technical Reports on Its Integrated Heavy Rare Earths Supply Chain