USA Rare Earth LLC will utilize the superlative solar irradiance in West Texas in its committed plan to power operations at its Round Top Heavy Rare Earth & Critical Mineral Project in Hudspeth County, West Texas with 100% renewable energy. (Intrado GlobeNewswire)
With southwest Texas enjoying annual average daily solar irradiance of more than 5.5kWh/m2/day, the Round Top area ranks in the top category for solar irradiance at the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (U.S. Department of Energy).
A solar farm will need about 45 acres of land to produce the 15 MW of energy needed to power mining and processing at the project.
The Round Top Deposit has a 130-year mine life and hosts 16 of the 17 rare earth elements, plus other high-value tech minerals. Further, Round Top contains 13 of the 35 minerals deemed “critical” by the Department of the Interior. These include lithium, uranium, and beryllium.
Importantly, more than 60% of materials at Round Top will be used directly in green or renewable energy technologies.
“Our 100% renewable energy plan means that USA Rare Earth will be producing materials for clean, green, renewable applications – using a process that employs clean, green, renewable power,” said Said Pini Althaus, CEO of USA Rare Earth. “In addition to powering our project, our approach will enable us to be a net provider of clean energy.”
Read the USA Rare Earth LLC release HERE.
Image Source: USA Rare Earth