USAR Turns To AI, Quantum Computing To Tackle A Key Supply Bottleneck — Why Its Partnership With Pasqal, Riven Systems Matters

USA Rare Earth (USAR) was on investors’ radar on Thursday after the mining giant announced a partnership with the French quantum computing company Pasqal (PSQL) and the AI firm Riven Systems to develop next-generation separation technology to reduce the cost and energy required to process rare earths.

At the time of writing, USAR shares were up 3.6%. The stock has gained in just three sessions so far in September. PSQL stock was down 1% in pre-market.

Partnership Looks To Reduce Cost Of Rare Earth Processing

Riven will use its automated laboratory to run “thousands” of experiments and generate data on molecules capable of separating individual rare earth elements from mixed materials. Pasqal will then use its neutral-atom quantum computers to test machine-learning models and identify potentially better separation methods.

The technology will be tested using materials expected to include rare-earth feedstock from USA Rare Earth’s Round Top project in Texas, third-party mixed rare-earth carbonates, and recycled material from magnet manufacturing. If successful, the companies believe the process could eventually lead to smaller, cheaper and less energy-intensive rare-earth processing facilities.