Aclara Resources Partners with Argonne Lab to Advance Rare Earth Extraction Using AI
Lemont, Thursday, 15 January 2026.
Utilizing Argonne’s SolventX platform, this collaboration creates an AI digital twin to optimize heavy rare earth separation, aiming to secure critical domestic supply chains and accelerate production.
Strategic Collaboration for Digital Innovation
In a move to modernize the extraction of critical minerals, Aclara Resources Inc. (TSX: ARA) announced on January 15, 2026, that its U.S. subsidiary, Aclara Technologies Inc., has entered into a Cooperative Research and Development Agreement (CRADA) with Argonne National Laboratory [1][2]. This partnership focuses on the development of an artificial intelligence-enabled digital twin specifically designed for the Company’s heavy rare earth separation process [1]. By leveraging advanced computational modeling, the initiative seeks to bridge the gap between theoretical research and industrial application, directly supporting the push for a resilient critical materials supply chain within the United States [2][3].
Technological Framework and SolventX Integration
The core of this technological development lies in the integration of Argonne’s proprietary SolventX modeling platform with Aclara’s pilot-scale operational data [1]. This combination allows for the creation of a high-fidelity digital representation of the separation process, enabling advanced simulation, optimization, and predictive control of solvent extraction operations [2]. The digital twin is designed to be a dynamic tool; it will not only model current operations but also facilitate the continuous refinement of the separation process to improve recovery rates and operational efficiency [1][3]. Seth Darling, Chief Science and Technology Officer of Argonne’s Advanced Energy Technologies, noted that this collaboration exemplifies how combining industry and academic strengths can translate foundational research into tangible capabilities that bolster U.S. industrial competitiveness [2].
Operational De-Risking and Efficiency
For Aclara, the adoption of this digital architecture is a strategic step toward de-risking the industrial execution of its projects [1]. Hugh Broadhurst, Aclara’s Chief Operating Officer, emphasized that the platform is expected to accelerate the industrial ramp-up and significantly improve process resilience [2]. By simulating various operating conditions in a virtual environment, the Company aims to identify optimal parameters before physical implementation, thereby reducing the time and capital required for scaling up operations [1][3]. This approach aligns with Aclara’s broader strategy to build a vertically integrated supply chain for rare earth alloys essential for permanent magnets [1].
Future Milestones and Pilot Implementation
The development of the digital twin is closely tied to Aclara’s physical infrastructure timeline. The system will be continuously refined using data generated from pilot campaigns, specifically those from the Rare Earth Separation Pilot Plant currently being developed in partnership with Virginia Tech [1]. This facility is expected to be inaugurated in March 2026 [1][2]. The data harvested from this pilot plant will feed into the digital twin, creating a feedback loop that enhances the accuracy of the simulations and ensures the technology is calibrated to real-world conditions as the Company moves toward commercial production [1][3].