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IMC Rare Earths hits high-grade yttrium in Brazil

By Drooid · Oct 30, 2026 · How we work

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Summary

IMC Rare Earths Ltd discovered two high-grade yttrium zones at its Itarantim project in Brazil.
Block H drilling intersected a shallow 7-meter interval averaging 2,052 ppm Y2O3.
A one-meter sample from Block H peaked at 3,099 ppm Y2O3, about 36% of total REOs.
Block D intersected 13 meters grading 1,287 ppm Y2O3, including a 3-meter section at 2,464 ppm.
CEO Frank Scolaro said yttrium now comprises roughly one-third of the project's rare-earth oxide content.

Summary

Seoul Viosys announced mass production of a 10-µm white-light chip that contains no rare-earth elements.
WICOP 3 manufacturing starts in the fourth quarter, serving only partners that respect its IP.
A 1 mm² grid of 1,000 ten-micrometer chips transmits data ten times faster at one-tenth the power.
Analysts forecast the WICOP-AI and AR combo will create a $60 billion market in five years, half today’s DRAM market.

History

In 2010 China slashed rare-earth exports by 40%, cutting shipments to roughly 84,000 t and prompting the United States, Japan and the EU to stockpile supplies. That policy cemented China’s near-90% share of global processing and drove Western firms to seek alternatives. Today Brazil’s IMC Rare Earths has uncovered a yttrium deposit, while Seoul Viosys unveiled a rare-earth-free white-light chip, both aimed at breaking China’s dominance.

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In 2010 China slashed rare-earth exports by 40%, cutting shipments to roughly 84,000 t and prompting the United States, Japan and the EU to stockpile supplies. That policy cemented China’s near-90% share of global processing and drove Western firms to seek alternatives. Today Brazil’s IMC Rare Earths has uncovered a yttrium deposit, while Seoul Viosys unveiled a rare-earth-free white-light chip, both aimed at breaking China’s dominance.

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