source:KITCO miningVital Metals (ASX: VML) announced today that it has commenced rare earth production at its Nechalacho project in Northwest Territories, Canada.The company said it has commenced ore crushing and that ore sorter installation completed with its commissioning underway. Blasting and mining activities ramped up with first ore mined on 29 June 2021 and stockpiled for crushing.Vital added it will stockpile beneficiated material for transport to Saskatoon rare earth extraction plant later this year.The company pointed out that it is now the first rare earths producer in Canada and only the second in North America.Managing Director Geoff Atkins said, “Our crews worked hard on site through June to accelerate mining activities, complete the installation of crushing and ore sorting equipment and commence commissioning. Mining activities are over 30% complete with waste material removed from the pit to enable the first blast of ore on 28 June and we are now stockpiling ore for the crusher.”"We will continue to ramp up crushing and ore sorting with full production rates expected to be achieved in July. Beneficiated material will be stockpiled for transport to our extraction plant in Saskatoon. We look forward to keeping the market updated through the ramp up process,” added Atkins.Vital Metals is an explorer and developer focusing on rare earths, technology metals and gold projects. The company’s projects are located across a range of jurisdictions in Canada, Africa and Germany.