Aclara Resources and Stanford University partner to advance AI-powered rare earths supply chain in Brazil

Aclara Resources partners with Stanford University to develop AI-powered solutions for a sustainable heavy rare earth supply chain in Brazil. The initiative aims to transform mineral exploration and production through innovation and advanced data science.

In a strategic move to advance the sustainable development of heavy rare earth elements (HREE), Canadian-based Aclara Resources (TSX: ARA) has announced a collaboration with Stanford University to develop artificial intelligence (AI) innovations aimed at optimizing the entire HREE supply chain—from exploration to processing and integration.

The agreement, formalized through a Letter of Intent (LOI) between Aclara’s U.S. subsidiary, Aclara Technologies Inc., and Stanford’s Mineral-X initiative, brings together cutting-edge data science and geoscience with a shared goal of securing alternative, resilient rare earth supply chains outside of China.

Carina Project: Driving the EV Revolution from Brazil

Aclara is currently developing the Carina project in the state of Goiás, Brazil, which is expected to produce 191 tonnes annually of dysprosium (Dy) and terbium (Tb)—critical HREEs used in the manufacturing of electric vehicles (EVs) and other clean energy technologies.

In April, the company launched a semi-industrial pilot plant to test the production of dysprosium and terbium from ionic clays extracted from the Carina deposit, marking a major milestone in the company’s path to commercial production.

AI-Driven Transformation of Rare Earth Exploration

The core focus of the collaboration is the joint development of AI-powered predictive models that will enable a more targeted and efficient exploration of rare earth elements in regolith and ionic clay deposits. The initiative aims to reduce costs, enhance sustainability, and streamline operations throughout the critical mineral supply chain.

The alliance sets the foundation for long-term academic and technological collaboration, including future R&D projects and pilot programs that reinforce both institutions’ commitment to innovation.

“This partnership with Stanford’s Mineral-X reinforces our commitment to innovation and leadership in the global rare earth supply chain,” said Ramón Barúa, CEO of Aclara. “By embedding Aclara into Silicon Valley’s innovation ecosystem and combining our HREE expertise with Mineral-X’s advanced AI capabilities, we aim to jointly develop smarter, cleaner, and more secure solutions.”

Jef Caers, founder of Mineral-X and Professor of Earth & Planetary Sciences at the Stanford Doerr School of Sustainability, added: “The world-class data science and geoscience team at Aclara brings deep professional expertise. We look forward to pushing the boundaries of human-in-the-loop AI to make mineral exploration more efficient, more targeted, and less expensive.”