Lynas Rare Earths has achieved first production of separated terbium oxide from its advanced materials facility in Malaysia, levelling up the company’s heavy rare earths capabilities.
“Lynas is delighted to have achieved first production of terbium oxide at the Lynas Malaysia advanced materials plant,” Lynas chief executive officer and managing director Amanda Lacaze said.
The milestone follows the company’s successful production of dysprosium oxide in May, both of which are now being produced on Lynas’ new heavy rare earths processing line.
“Together with dysprosium oxide, which was first produced on our new heavy rare earths production line in May, Lynas can now supply customers with the two heavy rare earths required for rare earth permanent magnets used in electric motors,” Lacaze said.
“The feedstock for both of these products is sourced from Lynas’ world class Mt Weld rare earths deposit in Western Australia, which is recognised as a source of both light and heavy rare earth minerals.”
The production of dysprosium and terbium at Lynas Malaysia is expected to strengthen supply chain resilience for manufacturers, with the company actively engaging customers on commercial supply opportunities.
In early June, Malaysia’s Menteri Besar (MB) Inc, the investment arm of the Kelantan State Government, partnered with Lynas to drive the advancement of rare earth resources in the region.
A non-binding memorandum of understanding (MoU) has been signed, outlining intentions to negotiate a formal agreement for the supply of Malaysian clay-based feedstock.
The MoU paves the way for a future supply agreement that would see mixed rare earth carbonate (MREC) delivered to Lynas Malaysia’s advanced materials plant in Kuantan.
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