Rare Element Resources Names New COO and Produces First Rare Earth Oxide at Wyoming Demonstration Plant

Rare Element Resources Ltd. (OTCQB: REEMF) announced three significant developments on November 2, 2026: the appointment of Josef Bilant as Chief Operating Officer, the production of its first total rare earth oxide at its demonstration plant, and continued permitting progress at its Bear Lodge project.

Bilant, 41, brings more than 18 years of experience in chemical, mineral, and mining operations. His appointment was effective October 5, 2026. He previously held senior roles at Lithium Americas Corporation, serving as Project Manager from April 2021 through January 2024 and then as Manager, Process and Mining through October 2025. Before that, he spent roughly six years at Coeur Mining's Rochester Mine in Nevada in roles spanning Chief Metallurgist to Process Manager, and also served as Chief Metallurgist at Comstock Mining. Bilant holds a Master of Business Administration from Temple University and a Bachelor of Applied Science in Metallurgical Engineering from Montana Technological University.

The production of first total rare earth oxide at the company's Upton, Wyoming processing and separation demonstration plant marks a key operational milestone. The plant, developed alongside General Atomics and its affiliates, is advancing toward producing a separated neodymium-praseodymium product, with a focus on the NdPr-rich Bear Lodge deposit in northeast Wyoming. The company is also progressing permitting and licensing for the Bear Lodge mine and commercial processing facility.