Minister for Resources and Northern Australia Madeleine King has officially inaugurated the Lynas Rare Earths processing plant in Kalgoorlie, Western Australia.
This landmark facility marks a significant milestone in Australia’s critical minerals industry and its efforts to diversify the global supply chain.
The Lynas plant, the first of its kind in Australia and the largest outside of China, will process ores from the nearby Mt Weld mine to produce mixed rare earth carbonate.
This operation is expected to create approximately 115 direct jobs in the Goldfields region, boosting local employment and economic growth.
Minister King emphasised the importance of this development, stating: “This opening is a big deal for Kalgoorlie, a huge deal for Western Australia and a massive step for Australia.”
She further highlighted that the facility aligns with the federal government’s strategy to enhance the nation’s downstream processing capabilities and strengthen its sovereign capability in critical minerals.
The new plant is poised to play a crucial role in the global supply of rare earth elements, which are essential components in various high-tech and clean energy applications.
These include electric vehicles, solar panels, wind turbines, advanced electronics, and defence industry technologies.
By establishing domestic processing capabilities, Australia aims to position itself as a key player in the rare earths market, reducing global dependence on Chinese supplies and fostering a more resilient and diverse supply chain for these critical resources.
