Australian firm produces heavy rare earth, first outside China

Japan Times

18-05-2025

Australian firm Lynas Rare Earths says it has become the first commercial producer outside China of heavy rare earths, used in an array of renewable energy technologies.
Lynas produced dysprosium oxide at its new facility in Malaysia, offering customers a non-Chinese source for the first time, it said in a statement Friday.
"Lynas is now the world's only commercial producer of separated heavy rare earth products outside China," said chief executive Amanda Lacaze.
It is a "significant step for supply chain resilience and provides customers with the option of sourcing product from an outside China supplier," she said.
Lynas expects to produce another rare earth, terbium, in June.
The firm said it expected pricing to reflect high demand for rare earths sourced from outside China.
Beijing has banned the export of processing technology that could help rival nations, and has been accused of using state-imposed quotas to control supply.
In an effort to loosen China's stranglehold, the U.S. government has agreed a $258 million contract for Lynas to build a new refinery in Texas.
Lynas operates the Mt. Weld rare earths mine in Western Australia as well as the processing facility in Malaysia.
China on Wednesday suspended curbs on exports of rare earths and other goods and technologies for military use targeting 28 U.S. entities as part of the trade detente struck between the world's two largest economies.
The move followed an agreement by China and the U.S. to temporarily lower tariffs levied against each other's products — the first major de-escalation in the trade row that was touted by U.S. President Donald Trump as a "total reset' of bilateral ties.
The suspension of export controls took effect on Wednesday and will last for 90 days, the China's Ministry of Commerce said in a statement. China initially blocked exports of seven types of rare earths for 16 U.S. entities on April 4, then added 12 additional entities on April 9.
Exporters of rare earth and other goods that can be used for military uses are allowed to apply for export licenses to the Ministry of Commerce now in 90 days, according to the statement.