Prnewswireยท2025-10-21 00:22Core Insights - Energy Fuels Inc. and Astron Limited have received a non-binding and conditional Letter of Support from Export Finance Australia for up to A$80 million in senior debt project financing for the Donald Rare Earth and Mineral Sands Project, which has a total funding requirement of A$520 million [1][12]. Project Financing - The Donald Project aims for a 50% debt-to-equity gearing ratio and is collaborating with other Export Credit Agencies and senior lenders to finalize the financing syndicate [1][3]. - The Letter of Support is contingent upon satisfactory completion of due diligence, including financial, technical, environmental, and social assessments [2]. Project Overview - The Donald Project is one of Australia's most advanced critical mineral projects, targeting the production of rare earth elements (REEs) to be processed at Energy Fuels' facility in the U.S. [4]. - Production is expected to commence as early as the second half of 2027, pending project financing and a positive final investment decision (FID) [4]. Production Capacity - Phase 1 of the Donald Project is projected to produce an average of 7.2 thousand tonnes per annum of Rare Earth Element Concentrate (REEC), including up to 1,000 tonnes of Neodymium-Praseodymium oxides, 92 tonnes of Dysprosium oxide, and 16 tonnes of Terbium oxides annually [6]. - The White Mesa Mill in Utah has the capacity to process all of the Phase 1 REEC production and produce separated rare earth oxides [6]. Market Impact - The heavy rare earths produced from the Donald Project are expected to meet approximately one-third of U.S. demand for Dysprosium and a quarter of U.S. demand for Terbium, which are critical for clean energy, defense, and advanced manufacturing industries [7]. Broader Financing Strategy - The financing strategy includes advanced engagement with government agencies and commercial banks to secure the remaining debt financing [9]. - A staged equity investment of up to A$183 million from Energy Fuels is planned, with A$45 million expected prior to FID and A$138 million post-FID [10]. Project Significance - The Donald Project features a total mineral resource of 1.81 billion tonnes and is expected to be a globally significant source of critical minerals, supporting technologies vital to clean energy and advanced manufacturing [14].