Rainbow Rare Earths CEO: Neo tie-up is 'the very last piece' for Phalaborwa

Rainbow Rare Earths Ltd (LSE:RBW, OTC:RBWRF, FRA:RR1) CEO George Bennett talked with Proactive's Stephen Gunnion about the company's partnership with Neo Performance Materials, progress at the Phalaborwa project and plans that could support a potential US IPO. Bennett was joined by technical director Dave Dodd to discuss the technical work and the significance of adding Neo's expertise to the project's flowsheet. Bennett said Rainbow Rare Earths evaluated a number of potential technical partners before selecting Neo, pointing to its extensive experience in rare earth separation and its existing operations. He said the partnership also supports Rainbow Rare Earths' aim of becoming part of a Western rare earth supply chain, with Neo operating separation facilities and a new permanent magnet facility in Estonia. Discussing the relationship, Bennett said: “We decided to select Neo, and we're very pleased that Neo selected Rainbow as well, because it was a two-way process.” Dodd discussed the technical progress at Phalaborwa and the work completed ahead of the solvent extraction stage. He said the inclusion of Neo's process represented “the very last piece that we needed.” Bennett also addressed the company's plans to bring forward a study in the fourth quarter, saying this would allow Rainbow Rare Earths to progress permitting and begin project financing negotiations. He said 75% of the flowsheet was already at DFS-level engineering. The interview also covers the potential for a US IPO. Bennett said: “We know that the market would like Rainbow to be listed in New York,” adding that the company believes a US listing could provide access to a larger capital base. Rainbow Rare Earths continues to target early construction at the end of 2027, full construction in 2028 and early production in 2029. Visit Proactive's YouTube channel for more interviews and market updates. Give the video a like, subscribe to the channel and enable notifications for future content. Read Proactive's Editorial Policy here: https://www.proactiveinvestors.co.uk/pages/editorialPolicy #RainbowRareEarths #RareEarths #Phalaborwa #NeoPerformanceMaterials #CriticalMinerals #RareEarthMining #RareEarthElements #WesternSupplyChain #USIPO #MiningInvesting #MiningStocks #ProjectFinance #ProactiveInvestors