Canadian mineral exploration and development company Mkango Resources’ Maginito subsidiary has entered into a binding and exclusive agreement with Spanish electrical equipment supplier Inserma Anoia to roll out pre-processing technologies for HyProMag in the UK, Germany, the US and other regions.

Mkango aims to become a market leader in the production of recycled rare earth magnets, alloys and oxides through its 79% interest in Maginito; the Songwe Hill rare earths project, in Malawi; and the Pulway rare earths separation project, in Poland.

Maginito wholly owns HyProMag, which is focused on short loop rare earth magnet recycling in the UK and Germany.

The latest mobile Inserma unit for hard disc drives (HDDs) can be co-located at hyperscale data centres or HyProMag facilities, rapidly removing the voice call motor containing rare earth magnets. This can provide a highly concentrated feed of magnets for subsequent hydrogen processing of magnet scrap.

The technology provides a steady neodymium magnet scrap feed to HyProMag and has major benefits for sustainable, secure and low-cost recycling of HDDs.

Maginito and Inserma aim to deploy hundreds of pre-processing units across multiple jurisdictions to provide pre-processing solutions for a range of end-of-life applications, including HDDs, loudspeakers and electric motors.

The agreement includes the purchase of an initial three units for pre-processing HDDs by HyProMag and related institutions for the UK, Germany and the US to catalyse the rollout of the technology.

Mkango, HyProMag and the shareholder holding the remaining interest in Maginito, CoTec Holdings, are engaging with major hyperscale data centre providers, shredders, recycling companies and other groups on deploying the technology.

Mkango CEO William Dawes says the company is pleased to be working with Inserma on the commercialisation of its groundbreaking suite of technologies, which are complementary to HyProMag's hydrogen processing of magnet scrap technology.

“We aim to provide a win-win circular solution to customers for [the] recovery of rare earth magnets from a range of applications, lowering the carbon footprint, cost and generating additional benefits from hitherto unrealised value streams," he adds.

In turn, Inserma director Paco Ortiz says the collaboration will increase Inserma’s international reach and allow the companies to capitalise on their many synergies.

CoTec CE Julian Treger says Inserma has developed a key pre-processing technology that enables HyProMag to secure its feed supply from rapidly expanding hyperscale data centres.

“We are looking to build a scalable solution to large technology and automotive companies that allows for closed loop and secure recycling within the US at the lowest cost and lowest carbon footprint compared with traditional mining processes and recycling technologies.”