Phoenix Tailings buys AI developer Machinery Partner in push for automation

Phoenix Tailings, the rare earths processing startup backed by BMW and Sumitomo, has bought artificial intelligence developer Machinery Partner as part of a push to automate its operations.

Rare earths processing can be complex. Machinery Partner’s AI technology is expected to boost Phoenix’s minerals processing by 30% annually in part by anticipating equipment failure.

Financial terms of the deal, which closed April 3, were not disclosed.

Machinery Partner’s CEO, Clement Cazalot, has become Phoenix’s chief operating officer. Cazalot has been on Phoenix’s board since 2019.

Phoenix says it expects Machinery Partner’s technology to eventually allow its processing operations to be fully automated. The technology is already in use at hundreds of US sites, the company said.

Phoenix will use the AI tech at rare earths processing facility in Exeter, New Hampshire.

(By Ernest Scheyder)