Lynas to Begin Heavy Rare Earth Production in Malaysia by 2025

Lynas Rare Earths

Lynas Rare Earths, an Australia-listed mining company, is set to commence the production of two separated heavy rare earth (HRE) products at its Malaysian facility by 2025. This will involve the production of separated dysprosium and terbium at one of Lynas Malaysia's solvent extraction circuits. The facility is designed to separate up to 1,500 tons per year of a mixed heavy rare earth compound, which includes samarium, europium, gadolinium, holmium, dysprosium, and terbium (SEGH).

The HRE project has completed its initial engineering phase, and detailed engineering design is currently underway. Commissioning and ramp-up are expected by mid-2025. Post-separation, Lynas' HRE product range will expand to include five products: dysprosium, terbium, unseparated samarium/europium/gadolinium, holmium concentrate, and unseparated SEGH.

Dysprosium and terbium are critical for producing high-performance rare earth magnets, which are essential components in consumer electronics, electric vehicle engines, and other automotive applications.

Lynas is also advancing pre-construction activities for its planned rare earth processing facility in the United States. Both its Malaysian and US facilities are designed to accept third-party feedstocks once they commence operations.

According to Amanda Lacaze, Lynas' Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director, the production of heavy rare earths will help accelerate the company's commitment to processing all elements sourced from the firm's Mount Weld ore site in Australia.

Supply Chain Context

In response to the rapid evolution of the clean energy sector and the need to reduce dependence on Chinese supplies, many national governments are working to build or diversify more resilient and sustainable rare earth supply chains. China, the world's largest supplier of medium and heavy rare earths, has been enforcing stricter export control policies for rare earth extraction and separation technology.

Progress on rare earth projects outside China has been limited, especially in the HRE market, due to constraints such as exploration techniques, ore resource shortages, production costs, capital pressures, and environmental considerations. US-based rare earth producer MP Materials aims to develop an HRE production facility within the next few years. The company began producing neodymium-praseodymium oxide in the third quarter of last year and plans to commence commercial production of finished magnets by late 2025.

Australian mineral producer Iluka Resources plans to achieve an output capacity of up to 23,000 tons per year of rare earth oxide, including 5,500 tons per year of neodymium-praseodymium oxide and 725 tons per year of dysprosium and terbium oxide from its refinery in Australia.