Lynas to produce two more Heavy Rare Earth products next year

Lynas Malaysia is targeting the first production of two separated Heavy Rare Earths (HRE) products in 2025.

Lynas Rare Earths Ltd in a statement today said a new process will produce separated dysprosium (Dy) and terbium (Tb) at Lynas Malaysia for the first time and will complement its existing Light Rare Earths product range.

It said Dy and Tb are essential to high-performance rare earth permanent magnets used in electric vehicles and high-tech applications such as micro-capacitors which are essential to all electronic devices.

“Currently, Dy, Tb, and other HRE oxides from the Mt Weld ore body are sold as a mixed HRE compound known as SEGH.

“The reconfiguration of one of Lynas Malaysia’s solvent extraction circuits will facilitate the production of Dy and Tb,” the statement read.

Lynas said the new circuit is designed to separate up to 1,500 tonnes of SEGH per year.

“Front-end engineering design has been completed and detailed engineering design is underway, with commissioning and ramp-up expected in mid-2025.

“The approximately US$25 million (RM117.9 million) Capex for this project will be accommodated within the previously disclosed Lynas Malaysia Industrial Plan,” it said.

As a result of the separation of Dy and Tb from the SEGH compound, Lynas’ HRE product range will increase to five products: Dy, Tb, unseparated samarium/europium/gadolinium, holmium concentrate, and unseparated SEGH.

Exciting development

At the same time, Lynas is progressing pre-construction activities for its planned US Rare Earths Processing Facility.

It said both Lynas Malaysia and the planned US Rare Earths Processing Facility have been designed to accept third-party feedstocks as they come online.

Lynas CEO and managing director Amanda Lacaze said the initial separation of HRE at its Malaysian facility was an exciting development for the company and the first step to an expanded suite of HRE products.

“Lynas’ Mt Weld deposit is remarkable for its endowment of HRE minerals as well as Light Rare Earth minerals.

“This circuit reconfiguration at Lynas Malaysia provides a pathway to accelerate our commitment to processing all of the elements in the Mt Weld ore body,” she said.

- Bernama