Australian critical minerals company, Lynas Corporation Limited, has advised that Phase 1 work on a heavy rare earth separation facility in Texas has advanced to the contract phase and that Lynas and the U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) have signed a contract for this work.
Phase 1 funding provided by the DoD will enable Lynas and its U.S. partner Blue Line to complete a detailed market and strategy study as well as detailed planning and design work for the construction of a heavy rare earth separation facility. In line with DoD Phase 1 milestones, Lynas expects this work to be completed in the 2021 financial year.
The development of a heavy rare earth separation facility is a key initiative of the Lynas’ 2025 growth plan, as announced on 21 May 2019. The company notes that the new facility is an attractive and strategic proposition, providing an expanded product suite as well as the only source of separated heavy rare earths outside China.
Lynas will utilise its in-house intellectual property and proven track record in rare earths separation to design and operate the separation facility, which will process material sourced from Lynas’ mine in Mt Weld, Western Australia.
The Mt Weld Central Lanthanide Deposit is one of the highest grade rare earth deposits in the world. Mt Weld also hosts the undeveloped Duncan (rare earth), Crown (niobium, tantalum, titanium, rare earths, zirconium) and Swan (phosphate) deposits.
Lynas’ CEO and Managing Director, Amanda Lacaze, said heavy rare earths are essential for the high-performance magnets used in electric motors.
“Lynas has the feedstock, intellectual property, and track record to deliver a heavy rare earths facility in a timely and low-risk manner.”
Minister for Resources, Water and Northern Australia, Keith Pitt, said it is a great result for Lynas and Australia’s critical minerals sector.
“Lynas has a proven track record in the processing of rare earth elements and provides the only model to-date for establishing commercially viable rare earth separation capacity outside of China.”
“Our current environment has shone a spotlight on concentrated global supply chains, particularly for critical minerals.”
“This milestone brings us a step closer to a secure supply chain of rare earth materials, integral to defence and industrial bases for both our countries,” Minister Pitt commented.
