Ionic Rare Earths (ASX: IXR, IonicRE) is harnessing our technology to accelerate mining, refining and recycling of magnet and heavy rare earths critical for energy transition, advanced manufacturing, and defence.
IonicRE is focused on developing its flagship Makuutu Rare Earths project (Makuutu) in Uganda into a significant, long-life, low-cost supplier of high-value magnet and heavy rare earths. Makuutu is an advanced-stage, ionic adsorption clay-hosted project highlighted by near-surface mineralisation, significant exploration upside, proven ionic metallurgical characteristics and access to Tier 1 infrastructure.
Ionic Technologies, based in Belfast, UK, is the company’s 100% owned magnet recycling subsidiary, and is producing high purity magnet REOs now from its demonstration plant processing recycled magnets via a patented hydrometallurgical process with key partnerships announced with Ford and Less Common Metals.
Cash: AUD11M (30 June 2023)
Debt: NIL
Major shareholders:
BNP Paribas Pty Ltd <DRP> – 4.54%
JGM Property Investments Pty Ltd – 4.40%
Mr. Bilal Ahmad – 3.13%
Citicorp Nominees Pty Limited – 2.95%
Mr. Sufian Ahmad – 2.53%
Management Ownership – 8.0%
Mr Tim Harrison – Managing Director
Mr Harrison is a mining executive with over 20 years’ experience and an extensive and successful track record specialising in the fields of both mineral processing and hydrometallurgy across multiple commodities. This experience ranges across the full spectrum of project development from greenfield exploration, process development, through studies and engineering, to commissioning and operations.
Mr Harrison was appointed Managing Director of Ionic Rare Earths in December 2020, and has been driving both the development of the Makuutu Rare Earth Project and the downstream supply chain integration through refining the acquisition of magnet recycling business, Ionic Technologies in the UK.
Mr Harrison holds a Bachelor’s degree of Chemical Engineering from Adelaide University with significant battery and technology metals experience across Australia, Asia and Africa. Mr Harrison is a Fellow of the Australian Institute for Mining and Metallurgy (AusIMM).
Dr Tommie van der Walt – Chief Operating Officer
Dr van der Walt has a proven track-record in mining project development and has demonstrated exceptional leadership skills and a deep understanding of project delivery in Africa. Focusing on mine optimisations without compromising standards or safety, he has had oversight of billion-dollar budgets and has lead large scale workforces, being charged with the responsibility of numerous direct and up to 3,500 indirect reports.
His key focus is to oversee all aspects of the Makuutu Rare Earths Project, which will include further growth strategies for the mine.
Before joining Ionic Rare Earths, Dr van der Walt was General Manager of Projects and Studies Africa with specialist resources private equity group EMR Capital, where he was leading the Lubambe Copper Project in Zambia. Prior to that he was with Newmont as Regional Project Director for Africa where he delivered the US$2 billion Ahafo mega-project in Ghana.
Dr van der Walt has a Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Pretoria, a Master’s Degree in Business Management from the University of Cape Town and a PhD in Business Administration from the Potchefstroom Business School, University of North West, South Africa.
Mr Brett Dickson – Chief Financial Officer & Company Secretary
Mr Dickson is a Certified Practicing Accountant and has had a successful corporate career focusing on the start-up, restructuring, management, growth and financing of emerging, publicly-listed mining, exploration and oil and gas companies. This experience ranges through a spectrum of activities; including capital and debt raisings, corporate restructuring, stock exchange listings (TSX, ASX, AIM), mineral exploration, mining and feasibility studies.
Mr Dickson has been a director of, and involved in the executive management of, numerous publicly listed resource companies with activities in Australia, Nicaragua, Chile, Mexico, Finland, Ukraine, Laos, Papua New Guinea, South Africa and Uganda. Mr Dickson has a Bachelor’s degree in Economics and Finance and is a Fellow of the Australian Society of Certified Practising Accountants.
Mr Lynden Polonsky – Chief Development Officer
Mr Polonsky is a mining executive with over 20 years’ experience in the finance industry. He has experience with mine development financing, new business development and portfolio optimisation. Mr Polonsky has provided merger, acquisition, divestment and capital markets advice across a range of industries and sectors including natural resources, infrastructure and renewable energy. Mr Polonsky has worked for leading global investment banks and was a founding partner at a boutique corporate advisory firm. Mr Polonsky has a Bachelor of Commerce degree from the University of Melbourne and qualified as a Fellow of the Institute of Actuaries of Australia.
2 October 2023 – Makuutu Phase 5 Tranche 2 Drill Results
19 September 2023 – DRA Global Appointed to Progress Makuutu Development
12 September 2023 – Ionic, Ford and LCM Execute Landmark Recycling Partnership
11 September 2023 – Ministerial Support for Makuutu Mining Licence Application
5 September 2023 – Makuutu Rare Earths Project MLA Status Update
4 September 2023 – Makuutu Rare Earths Project Phase 5 Drill Results