Aclara, a Canadian mining company, is investing $277 million into building the nation’s first heavy rare-earth separation facility at the Port of Vinton. Calcasieu Parish Police Jury President Judd Bares says the facility will refine rare earth metals that will be used for electric vehicles, wind turbines, drones and robotics.
“They used the extracted rare earth from a clay that is imported from out of the country, and this extraction is then used for magnets, super, super high-power magnets,” Bares explained.
By bringing Aclara to the Port of Vincent, Bares says the company will diversify what is done in Southwest Louisiana.
“It’s not just oil and gas or, you know, LNG. It’s a big deal. It’s opening new doors that haven’t been open in this part of the state,” Bares said.
Aclara selected the Port of Vinton location after evaluating more than 100 potential U.S. sites for its proximity to key chemical suppliers, access to Gulf Coast logistics and availability of skilled industrial workers. Bares says bringing the company to Calcasieu Parish is a testament to the infrastructure of the parish.
“Companies see this. They see the rail access. They see the interstate access. They see the proximity to water. They see the proximity to feed stock from local plants that’s so readily available,” Bares noted.
Construction is expected to begin in 2026 and be completed by the end of 2027.
