Great Northern Minerals Partners with the University of Arizona

Great Northern Minerals Taps University of Arizona Technology to Strengthen Rare Earth Capabilities

Great Northern Minerals announced a significant step forward today, securing an exclusive option to license advanced flotation technology from the University of Arizona. This development positions the company to move deeper into the rare earth value chain by integrating this processing technology into its downstream operations.

The technology focuses on bastnäsite, a common rare earth mineral, and uses a flotation process that separates valuable minerals from waste rock. In simple terms, crushed ore is mixed with water, air, and specific additives that allow the rare earth minerals to rise to the surface while unwanted material sinks.

From an investor’s point of view, this announcement is meaningful because it directly addresses one of the most challenging parts of the rare earth business, efficient and low-cost processing. The University of Arizona’s flotation method has demonstrated recovery rates of 80 to 90 percent and concentrate grades of 30 to 40 percent rare earth oxides. Compared to traditional acid-based methods, this approach could reduce processing costs by 20 to 30 percent per tonne.

If these results can be replicated at pilot scale, the implications for Great Northern Minerals could be substantial. Higher recoveries and lower operating costs would likely translate into stronger project economics, lifting metrics such as net present value and internal rate of return.

While the news is still speculative until proven at scale, I see this as a smart strategic move that could derisk one of the most technically complex aspects of the company’s business model. It strengthens Great Northern’s position within the rare earth supply chain and signals that management is thinking ahead, not just about mining, but about capturing more value through innovation and processing efficiency.

What are the Best ASX Mining Stocks to invest in right now?

Check our buy/sell tips

Unlocking a Pathway to US Funding and New Revenue Streams

The most important value driver emerging from this partnership is Great Northern Minerals’ potential eligibility for future US funding. The company’s flagship Catalyst Ridge Project sits within the Mountain Pass district, an area that has already received millions in US government support to expand magnet production and improve downstream processing capacity.

This new relationship with the University of Arizona adds both technical credibility and strategic alignment with US policy goals to strengthen domestic rare earth supply chains. It positions Great Northern Minerals as a potential participant in that funding ecosystem, a factor that could significantly accelerate project development.

If the company secures exclusive licensing rights to the flotation technology, it could also open a secondary revenue stream. Great Northern could potentially license the technology to other bastnäsite-dominant projects globally, extending its reach well beyond its own operations.  This transforms Great Northern Minerals from a pure exploration story into one with real downstream optionality and global relevance.

The Investors Takeaway for GNM

The key takeaway for investors is that Great Northern Minerals is steadily building a strong growth story underpinned by a clear vision of vertical integration within the critical minerals sector. The company is positioning itself not just as an explorer but as an emerging participant in the broader rare earth value chain, aligning with one of the most powerful investment themes globally.

With high-grade total rare earth oxide concentrations already identified within the Mountain Pass district, the next phase of value creation will depend on a series of upcoming milestones. Over the next three to nine months, the market will be watching closely for results from the Catalyst Ridge drilling program. Within six to twelve months, an updated exploration strategy and progress toward a JORC-compliant resource will be key indicators of momentum. Looking further ahead, potential strategic partnerships or government support over the next twelve to eighteen months could serve as major catalysts, further validating Great Northern’s position in the US-focused critical minerals supply chain.