WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, today congratulated Ucore Rare Metals Inc. on reaching an agreement with the U.S. Defense Department allowing the company to continue its work on understanding the vast potential for production of heavy rare earth elements in Alaska.

“This announcement is great news for Alaska and for the United States, where our need for a secure and domestic supply of rare earth elements is an urgent challenge,” Murkowski said. “These and other critical minerals are essential in the manufacturing of everything from modern defense equipment to clean energy technologies.”

Sens. Murkowski wrote to U.S. Defense Secretary Leon Panetta on March 1, encouraging the Defense Department to support Ucore’s work.

“I am proud of Alaska for continuing to provide the energy, minerals, and other materials needed to create jobs and restore economic growth to the country. And I am pleased to see the Defense Department playing such a constructive role in pursuing these opportunities,” Murkowski said.

 Murkowski also continues to work to support and remove any unnecessary bureaucratic obstacles to progress at the Bokan Mountain site, and similar prospects elsewhere in Southeast Alaska and across the country.

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For further information, please contact Robert Dillon at 202.224.6977 or Robert_dillon@energy.senate.gov or Megan Moskowitz at 202.224.7875 or Megan_Moskowitz@energy.senate.gov.

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