Louisiana Secures ElementUSA’s $850 Million Investment Decision, Advancing U.S. Critical Minerals Supply Chain

• The project is expected to create 754 new job opportunities in the Southeast Region.

• The company will source materials from nearby industrial facilities.

• Construction is expected to begin in 2027.

GRAMERCY, La. – ElementUSA announced a $850 million investment to build a rare earth and critical minerals refining facility in St. James Parish, strengthening the U.S. supply chain for materials essential to advanced manufacturing, national defense and energy technologies.

The company is expected to create 200 direct new jobs with an average salary of $90,000, which is 28% above the average St. James Parish wage. Louisiana Economic Development estimates the project will result in an additional 554 indirect new jobs, for a total of 754 potential new job opportunities in the Southeast Region.

“ElementUSA’s investment marks a major step in strengthening America’s critical minerals supply chain, and Louisiana is proud to play a leading role in that effort,” Governor Jeff Landry said. “This project advances essential mineral production in the United States and positions Louisiana’s workers and communities at the forefront of a rapidly growing industry. As President Trump has consistently said, strengthening America’s industrial base is a top priority, and Louisiana is delivering the projects that turn that vision into reality.”

ElementUSA will use its proprietary processes to extract gallium, scandium, iron and other critical minerals from more than 30 million tons of bauxite residue, the byproduct of the alumina refining process. Supported by a $29.9 million U.S. Department of War grant, the company will first construct a demonstration facility to validate its extraction process and guide the design of a future commercial-scale facility.

“We are humbled and energized by the Department of War’s trust in ElementUSA at this pivotal moment for America’s critical minerals landscape,” CEO of ElementUSA Ellis Sullivan said, “This project in Gramercy will demonstrate how the United States can produce gallium and scandium at scale using innovative extraction technologies, reducing foreign dependence and ensuring our warfighters and industries have reliable access to these strategic materials.”

“Louisiana has supported this effort for more than four years, and that partnership has been instrumental to our progress. Now, with federal support in place, we can advance our prototype facility and move toward our full-scale vision: a world-class plant in Louisiana capable of processing over one million tons of bauxite residue annually and producing a suite of essential minerals including gallium, scandium, and iron, that will strengthen America’s industrial base and national security.”

Since announcing its initial plans in 2021, the company has advanced its technology and development work at the Gramercy site to support domestic critical mineral production. Over the past several years, ElementUSA has refined its proprietary extraction process and evaluated the site’s bauxite residue resources, laying the groundwork for this next phase of investment.

“ElementUSA’s investment decision is another clear sign that Louisiana’s strategy is working,” LED Secretary Susan B. Bourgeois said. “By strengthening our competitiveness, aligning agencies through a whole-of-government model, and listening directly to companies, we’ve built the conditions that turn interest into investment. This project brings high-quality jobs, new industry capabilities and long-term advantages for Louisiana and the U.S.”

Construction of the demonstration facility is expected to begin in mid-2027, with initial production targeted for the third quarter of 2028.

“This project is a significant investment in our community, providing hundreds of new direct and indirect jobs, however, it’s also an investment in America,” St. James Parish President Pete Dufresne said. “Enhancing the United States’ only alumina processing facility, providing roughly 40% of the country’s alumina, is a critical investment in our nation’s future.”

To win the project in Gramercy, the state of Louisiana offered ElementUSA a competitive incentives package that includes the comprehensive workforce development solutions of LED FastStart and a $6 million performance-based grant for utility and infrastructure improvements. The company is also expected to participate in Louisiana’s Quality Jobs and Industrial Tax Exemption programs.

“ElementUSA’s investment in Gramercy is a game-changer for the region, strengthening Louisiana’s role in advanced manufacturing while securing a domestic supply of critical minerals used in defense operations,” President and CEO of Greater New Orleans, Inc. Michael Hecht said. “At a time when global supply chains are under pressure, this project helps ensure the materials the nation depends on are refined in the United States. It also raises the state’s profile as a place where complex, strategic projects can move quickly from concept to reality.”

Register here to be notified about ElementUSA job opportunities, hiring events and news updates. Louisiana companies, make sure your business is registered at SourceLouisiana.com to enter the pipeline for contract and vendor opportunities with development projects statewide.

About ElementUSA
ElementUSA Inc. is accelerating America’s access to critical minerals by unlocking overlooked domestic resources and delivering the processing strength to supply industry and defense. The company develops innovative midstream processing infrastructure to recover minerals from both primary and secondary sources, addressing the rising demand from U.S. manufacturers in sectors like semiconductors, national defense, and energy infrastructure. ElementUSA is pioneering Waste2Market solutions that offer faster and more sustainable pathways than traditional mining. At the center of this effort is the Critical Resource Accelerator (CRA), a premier research and development hub focused on scalable mineral recovery processes. For more information about ElementUSA’s initiatives and its commitment to advancing the future of critical minerals in America, please visit www.elementusaminerals.com.

About LED
Louisiana Economic Development is responsible for driving capital investment, job creation and economic opportunity for the people of Louisiana and employers of all sizes. Explore how LED is positioning Louisiana to win at OpportunityLouisiana.com. 

MEDIA CONTACTS:

Emma Wagner, LED Communications Director
Emma.Wagner@la.gov
912.467.2117

Jacey Wesley, LED Strategic Communications Manager
Jacey.Wesley@la.gov
225.342.5536

Dan Byrne, ElementUSA Chief Investment Officer
dan.byrne@element.us.com