LEADING EDGE MATERIALS AND ASCENSION EARTH RESOURCES TEAM UP ON HEAVY RARE EARTHS RECOVERY FROM NORRA KÄRR EUDIALYTE
MWN-AI** Summary
Leading Edge Materials Corp. has announced a strategic collaboration with Ascension Earth Resources to evaluate innovative recovery methods for heavy rare earth elements (HREE) from the Norra Kärr eudialyte deposit in Sweden. This partnership, formalized through a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), positions Leading Edge’s subsidiary, Greenna Mineral AB, to supply eudialyte samples for Ascension’s advanced laboratory analysis and processing testwork. The collaboration focuses on determining the technical and commercial viability of extracting HREE from the eudialyte mineralization, and encompasses critical tasks including detailed compositional analysis, leach behavior testing, and preliminary processing concept development.
Both companies are motivated to negotiate a definitive collaboration agreement for a larger-scale pilot project contingent upon successful evaluation outcomes. Kurt Budge, CEO of Leading Edge Materials, expressed optimism regarding the partnership, emphasizing its potential to enhance sustainable heavy rare earth production in Europe. The collaboration aims to harness Ascension’s proprietary processing technology, which could optimize recovery methods beyond previous techniques.
Ascension Earth Resources, an innovative spin-out from the University of Oxford, specializes in developing efficient and environmentally responsible technologies for critical mineral recovery. Motoaki Sumi, CEO of Ascension, highlighted the significance of Norra Kärr as a vital European resource that will contribute to a more resilient supply chain for critical minerals.
This alliance reflects a strategic effort to bolster Europe's access to essential critical raw materials, crucial for high-growth technologies like electric vehicle batteries and renewable energy solutions. The successful collaboration could mark a pivotal step toward sustainable mineral production and supply security in the European Union.
MWN-AI** Analysis
The recent collaboration between Leading Edge Materials Corp. (LEM) and Ascension Earth Resources represents a strategically significant movement within the rare earth elements (REE) market, particularly in the domain of Heavy Rare Earth Elements (HREE). By leveraging innovative recovery methods from the Norra Kärr Eudialyte mineralisation, this partnership not only enhances the technical feasibility of HREE extraction but also potentially establishes a resilient European supply chain for critical minerals.
For investors, it is crucial to note that LEM is already well-positioned in the REE market, with its 100% owned Swedish subsidiary, Greenna Mineral AB, focusing on progressing the Norra Kärr project. The memorandum of understanding (MoU) outlines an ambitious evaluation phase aimed at detailed eudialyte sample analysis and the development of preliminary processing concepts. This groundwork signals a commitment to sustainable and innovative practices, which could elevate LEM's production capabilities significantly.
The first recommendation for potential investors is to closely monitor the outcomes of the evaluation project, as successful results could propel LEM into a pilot project phase, thereby enhancing its growth prospects. Moreover, the involvement of Ascension, noted for its advanced proprietary technology and sustainable practices, strengthens LEM's operational credibility and could lead to cost-efficient, environmentally responsible mining solutions.
Investors should also be aware of broader market trends, especially the heightened focus on critical minerals due to rising demand from sectors such as electric vehicles and renewable energy technologies. Given LEM’s focus on European avenues for these critical materials, the geopolitical landscape surrounding REE supply chains—especially in light of current global tensions—further underscores the potential upside for investors.
In conclusion, the partnership emerged from strategic foresight and innovative capability is worth observing closely, as it could bolster Leading Edge Materials' position within the global REE market significantly.
**MWN-AI Summary and Analysis is based on asking OpenAI to summarize and analyze this news release.
LEADING EDGE MATERIALS AND ASCENSION EARTH RESOURCES TEAM UP ON HEAVY RARE EARTHS RECOVERY FROM NORRA KÄRR EUDIALYTE
- Strategic collaboration aims to assess innovative recovery methods for Heavy Rare Earth Elements (“HREE”) from Norra Kärr Eudialyte mineralisation.
- Leading Edge Materials 100% owned subsidiary Greenna Mineral AB and Ascension Earth Resources have entered into a Memorandum of Understanding.
- Both parties will negotiate in good faith toward a definitive collaboration agreement for a larger-scale pilot project, contingent on successful evaluation project outcomes.
Vancouver, February 8, 2026 – Leading Edge Materials Corp. (“Leading Edge Materials” or the “Company”) (TSXV: LEM) (Nasdaq First North: LEMSE) (OTCQB: LEMIF) (FRA: 7FL) is pleased to announce that its 100% owned Swedish subsidiary Greenna Mineral AB (“GMAB”) has signed an MoU with Ascension Earth Resources (“Ascension”).
Evaluation Project
Under the MoU, GMAB will supply eudialyte samples from the Norra Kärr deposit to Ascension, which will conduct comprehensive laboratory analysis and processing testwork using its proprietary technology.
The collaboration aims to assess the technical and commercial feasibility of rare earth extraction and recovery from the HREE bearing eudialyte mineralisation at Norra Kärr.
The Evaluation Project will focus on:
- Conducting detailed analysis of eudialyte samples to determine composition, purity, and recovery potential.
- Testing leach behaviour and assessing suitability for commercial-scale processing
- Developing preliminary processing concepts tailored to the Norra Kärr mineralisation
- Evaluating the commercial viability of rare earth extraction.
Path to Commercial Collaboration
Subject to successful outcomes from the evaluation phase, both parties have committed to negotiate in good faith toward a definitive collaboration agreement. This subsequent agreement would govern a larger-scale pilot project.
Kurt Budge CEO comments:
"This partnership represents an important step forward in advancing the Norra Kärr HREE Project.
By combining our world-class resource with Ascension's innovative processing technology, we aim to unlock new possibilities for sustainable heavy rare earth production in Europe.
We already have a PFS flowsheet from 2015 to produce mixed rare earth oxide but we are enthusiastic about trying new innovative methods, such as the ones being developed by Ascension, to maximise the recovery of heavy rare earth elements from Norra Kärr.”
Motoaki Sumi CEO of Ascension Earth Resources comments:
"We are excited to collaborate with Leading Edge Materials on an evaluation programme focused on heavy rare earth elements recovery from the Norra Kärr eudialyte mineralisation.
Norra Kärr is a strategically significant European rare earth resource with important implications for the development of a resilient European supply chain for critical minerals.
Through this collaboration, we aim to advance efficient and environmentally responsible approaches to critical mineral recovery, aligned with Ascension’s core mission.
Ascension is a University of Oxford spin-out company developing technologies to recover critical minerals from novel resources.”
___________________________________________________________________________________.
On behalf of the Board of Directors,
Leading Edge Materials Corp.
Kurt Budge, CEO
For further information, please contact the Company at:
info@leadingedgematerials.com
www.leadingedgematerials.com
About Leading Edge Materials
Leading Edge Materials is a Canadian public company focused on developing a portfolio of critical raw material projects located in the European Union. Critical raw materials are determined as such by the European Union based on their economic importance and supply risk. They are directly linked to high growth technologies such as lithium-ion batteries and permanent magnets for electric motors, wind turbines and defence applications. The Company’s portfolio of projects includes the 100% owned Woxna Graphite mine (Sweden), 100% owned Norra Kärr Heavy Rare Earth Elements project (Sweden), and the 51% owned Bihor Sud Nickel Cobalt exploration alliance (Romania).
About Ascension Earth Resources Limited
Ascension Earth Resources Limited is a UK-based company developing proprietary technology for rare earth element analysis and recovery, harnessing geothermal energy to create a secure and sustainable onshore critical mineral supply chain.
https://ascension.global/
https://www.linkedin.com/company/ascension-earth-resources/
Additional Information
The information was submitted for publication through the agency of the contact person set out above, on February 8, 2026, at 23:30 AM Vancouver time.
Leading Edge Materials is listed on the TSXV under the symbol “LEM”, OTCQB under the symbol “LEMIF” and Nasdaq First North Stockholm under the symbol “LEMSE”. Svensk Kapitalmarknadsgranskning (“SKMG”) is the Company’s Certified Adviser for the Nasdaq First North Growth Market (Stockholm) and may be contacted via email ca@skmg.se or by phone +46 (0)8 913 008.
Reader Advisory
This news release may contain statements which constitute “forward-looking information”, including statements regarding the plans, intentions, beliefs and current expectations of the Company, its directors, or its officers with respect to the future business activities of the Company. The words “may”, “would”, “could”, “will”, “intend”, “plan”, “anticipate”, “believe”, “estimate”, “expect” and similar expressions, as they relate to the Company, or its management, are intended to identify such forward-looking statements. Investors are cautioned that any such forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future business activities and involve risks and uncertainties, and that the Company’s future business activities may differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements as a result of various factors, including, but not limited to, fluctuations in market prices, changes in the Company’s intended use of proceeds from the Private Placement, successes of the operations of the Company, continued availability of capital and financing and general economic, market or business conditions. There can be no assurances that such information will prove accurate and, therefore, readers are advised to rely on their own evaluation of such uncertainties. The Company does not assume any obligation to update any forward-looking information except as required under the applicable securities laws.
Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accept responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this news release.
Attachment
FAQ**
How will the partnership between Leading Edge Materials Corp. LEMIF and Ascension Earth Resources impact the timeline for heavy rare earth extraction from the Norra Kärr Eudialyte mineralization?
What specific innovative methods will Ascension utilize to assess the recovery potential of heavy rare earth elements in the collaboration with Leading Edge Materials Corp. LEMIF?
What criteria will Leading Edge Materials Corp. LEMIF and Ascension use to evaluate the commercial viability of rare earth extraction during the Evaluation Project?
How does the collaboration align with the strategic goals of Leading Edge Materials Corp. LEMIF in developing a resilient European supply chain for critical minerals?
**MWN-AI FAQ is based on asking OpenAI questions about Leading Edge Materials Corp. (OTC: LEMIF).
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