Graphite One has announced independent testing results confirming the presence of rare earth elements (REEs) within garnet material at its Graphite Creek deposit in Alaska. Several of the identified REEs are used in permanent magnets for electric vehicle (EV) traction motors and other electrified energy systems.
Testing conducted by Activation Laboratories Ltd. (ActLabs) of Ancaster, Canada, focused on drill core samples taken from the planned open-pit area outlined in the company’s feasibility study completed in February 2025. Results indicate that REE-bearing garnet occurs within zones targeted for early-stage graphite extraction, suggesting the potential for recovery of REEs alongside graphite production.
Figure 1. Relative Abundance of Magnet REEs and HREEs in Graphite Creek Garnets. (Image: CNW Group/Graphite One Inc.)
Findings include:
- Bulk rock geochemistry shows a higher proportion of magnet-related and heavy rare earth elements (HREEs) relative to light rare earth elements.
- Garnet minerals, known to host HREEs along with scandium and yttrium, appear to be the primary contributor to the elevated HREE concentrations.
- Approximately 85% of the REEs identified in the garnet fraction fall into the magnet REE or HREE categories.
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Dysprosium concentrations ranged from 32 to 63 ppm; yttrium ranged from 198 to 427 ppm; and scandium ranged from 84 to 141 ppm.
“These results indicate that magnet and heavy rare earth elements are present within the same mineralized zones as graphite,” said Anthony Huston, CEO of Graphite One. “If further work supports economic recovery, this could allow for rare earth elements to be produced as a by-product of graphite mining.”
Recent export controls affecting rare earth elements and graphite have increased attention on non-Chinese sources of these materials. Graphite Creek contains natural graphite and REE-bearing minerals, which may be relevant to domestic supply chains for electrification technologies.
Figure 2. Graphite Creek HREEs associated with the garnet.
“The garnet fraction shows significantly higher REE concentrations than the surrounding host material,” said Kirsten Fristad, Graphite One’s chief geologist. “This information will guide our test work as we evaluate separation and extraction pathways.”
Graphite One plans to collaborate with a US national laboratory to develop a test program evaluating methods for recovering REEs from garnet concentrates. Additional metallurgical testing is expected to continue into 2026.
Filed Under: Electric Motor, Technology News