Ucore Rare Metals Inc. Sept. 23 reported two developments that could bolster the economics of a mine at Bokan-Dotson Ridge and expedite the permitting of this potential rare earth operation in Southeast Alaska.

The potential boost in economics comes from a recent study that beryllium, zirconium, niobium, and hafnium could be valuable by-products to mining the rare earth elements at Bokan Mounta...