Name of the Project
Kalgoorlie rare earths processing plant.

Location
Kalgoorlie, in Western Australia.

Project Owner/s
Lynas Corporation.

Project Description
The project will take rare-earth concentrate produced at the Mt Weld operation, in Western Australia, and produce a mixed rare-earth carbonate, which will be exported to the Lynas Malaysia plant for solvent extraction, and to the company’s planned commercial light rare earth separation plant, in the US.

The project will treat about 162 000 t/y of Mt Weld concentrate, producing 86 000 t/y of rare-earth carbonate product.

The value-added processing to be undertaken in Kalgoorlie is aligned with the Australian government’s Critical Minerals Strategy and the objective of the Western Australian government to increase downstream processing and the development of intellectual property in the state.

Potential Job Creation
The plant is expected to create up to 290 positions during construction, including the direct workforce on the project.

Net Present Value/Internal Rate of Return
Not stated.

Capital Expenditure
$500-million.

Planned Start/End Date
The Kalgoorlie plant is expected to be operational in early 2023.

Latest Developments
Lynas Rare Earths is optimistic that it will receive environmental protection authority (EPA) approval for its Kalgoorlie rare earths processing facility before the end of 2021, enabling it to meet its mid-2023 production target.

Speaking at the Diggers & Dealers conference, in Kalgoorlie, on August 2, Lynas VP for upstream operations Kam Leung said the company had incorporated lessons learned from its Malaysian plant into the design of the Kalgoorlie operations.

Key Contracts, Suppliers and Consultants
Metso Outotec (kiln) and Polaris Engineering Services (tank fabrication).

Contact Details for Project Information
Lynas Corporation, tel +60 9 582 5200.