Lynas Rare Earths has announced the first feed of Mount Weld material at its Kalgoorlie processing facility in Western Australia.
The feed follows the completion of kiln heating and other activities marking the transition from the commissioning phase to first production and ramp up of the facility.
“We are delighted to have achieved first feed on in Kalgoorlie,” Lynas chief executive officer and managing director Amanda Lacaze said.
“This is an exciting milestone as we continue to expand our operating footprint and capacity to meet growing global demand for separated rare earth materials.
“The Kalgoorlie rare earths processing facility is Australia’s first value-added rare earths processing facility, making it a significant project for both Lynas and the Australian critical minerals industry.”
Lynas Malaysia was issued with a variation to its operating licence on October 24 2023 allowing the continued importation and processing of lanthanide concentrate from Lynas’ Mount Weld mine.
The Lynas Malaysia plant is currently shutdown as works to increase downstream processing capacity are completed.
Production will recommence in January 2024.
Mixed rare earth carbonate (MREC) from the Kalgoorlie rare earth processing facility will be progressively introduced to the Lynas Malaysia plant commencing late in the March quarter and increasing as the controlled ramp up of the Kalgoorlie facility is progressed.
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