Lynas says planning ‘full suite’ of rare earths in Malaysia

 The Australian mining company also says it will increase collaboration with makers of high-performance magnets used in advanced industries such as electronics and aerospace.

Lynas was granted a 10-year renewal of its operating licence in Malaysia in March under stricter conditions set by the government because of environmental concerns. (Lynas pic)

KUANTAN:

 Australian mining firm Lynas said on Wednesday it plans to expand its portfolio of rare earths extracted in Malaysia, as it hopes to bolster its position as a key alternative supplier to China.

The company, which owns the largest commercial rare earths plant outside of China, also said it would increase collaboration with makers of high-performance magnets that are used in advanced industries such as electronics and aerospace.

“The first step was to demonstrate that we are able to extract heavy rare (earths),” Lynas chief operating officer Pol Le Roux said in an interview at the company’s facility in Gebeng, Pahang.

“We demonstrated that with dysprosium in May last year, terbium in June, and samarium last month.”

The three elements, known as “heavy rare earth oxides”, have become increasingly sought-after since Beijing restricted exports in 2025.

Lynas announced in March it had begun producing samarium oxide, used in high-performance magnets.

The Gebeng facility, which has been running since 2012, supplies materials used in a range of products including electric vehicles, mobile phones, and missiles.

Le Roux said Lynas had also “started detailed engineering of a full heavy rare (earths) separation that will provide us the capability to extract any rare earths demanded by the market”.

“This is ongoing, and we will have a full suite of extraction on this site” by late next year, he added.

Lynas has cornered around 10% of the world’s rare earth market, with the other 90% made in China.

The three oxides already extracted by Lynas in Malaysia are used to make high-end magnets, used to help treat cancer pain, and in devices such as headphones, electric vehicles and wind turbines, as well as solid state lasers and defence equipment.

Lynas CEO Amanda Lacaze told AFP the company was already partnering with high-end magnet makers to close the downstream gap between rare earth processing and manufacturing.

“We won’t just say that we are going to wake up tomorrow and be a magnet maker,” she said.

“We will do that in partnership with firms that have demonstrated expertise in these areas.”

In March, Lynas announced a 10-year renewal of its operating licence in Malaysia, under stricter conditions set by the government over environmental concerns.

Malaysia is now the largest commercial producer of separated rare earths outside China. - FMT