https://www.miningweekly.com

Lynas nearly halves production in June quarter

22nd July 2020

By: Esmarie Iannucci

Creamer Media Senior Deputy Editor: Australasia

     

Font size: - +

PERTH (miningweekly.com) – Rare earths miner Lynas saw production in the June quarter nearly halve compared with the previous quarter, as operations were halted amid the Covid-19 pandemic.

Neodymium-praseodymium (NdPr) production for the June quarter reached 775 t, compared with the 1 369 t in the previous quarter, while total rare earth oxide production was down to 2 579 t, compared with the 4 465 t produced in the March quarter.

Lynas’ operations in Malaysia were suspended for a period of 44 days during the quarter under review, in compliance with the government’s Covid-19 movement control order, while production at the Mt Weld operation, in Western Australia, was also temporarily suspended when global concentrate inventory levels reached maximum target levels.

The staff at the Mt Weld operation were redeployed to development and maintenance projects during that period.

“In response to expected reductions in demand, Lynas Malaysia commenced production at approximately 70% of Lynas NEXT rates and by June, production was running at approximately 75% of Lynas Next rates. Mt Weld production rates were aligned to Lynas Malaysia rates,” said CEO Amanda Lacaze.

Rare earth oxide sales volumes for the quarter was also down to 1 878 t, compared with the 4 601 t sold in the previous quarter, generating revenues of A$38-million.


Following the Malaysian government’s announcement at the start of May that most industries, including manufacturing, would be allowed to resume operations from May 4, the company has restarted operations with strict health and safety protocols applied throughout the operation, Lacaze said.

Edited by Creamer Media Reporter

Comments

The content you are trying to access is only available to subscribers.

If you are already a subscriber, you can Login Here.

If you are not a subscriber, you can subscribe now, by selecting one of the below options.

For more information or assistance, please contact us at subscriptions@creamermedia.co.za.

Option 1 (equivalent of R125 a month):

Receive a weekly copy of Creamer Media's Engineering News & Mining Weekly magazine
(print copy for those in South Africa and e-magazine for those outside of South Africa)
Receive daily email newsletters
Access to full search results
Access archive of magazine back copies
Access to Projects in Progress
Access to ONE Research Report of your choice in PDF format

Option 2 (equivalent of R375 a month):

All benefits from Option 1
PLUS
Access to Creamer Media's Research Channel Africa for ALL Research Reports, in PDF format, on various industrial and mining sectors including Electricity; Water; Energy Transition; Hydrogen; Roads, Rail and Ports; Coal; Gold; Platinum; Battery Metals; etc.

Already a subscriber?

Forgotten your password?

MAGAZINE & ONLINE

SUBSCRIBE

RESEARCH CHANNEL AFRICA

SUBSCRIBE

CORPORATE PACKAGES

CLICK FOR A QUOTATION