PERTH (miningweekly.com) – The US Department of Defense (DoD) has told rare earths miner Lynas of its intent to award the Australia-based company with a Phase 1 contract for a US-based heavy rare earths separation facility.
The Phase 1 funding will allow Lynas and its joint venture partner Blue Line to complete detailed planning and design work for the construction of the heavy rare earths separation facility, which could lead to further contracts for commercial scale production and operation of a US heavy rare earth separation facility.
Lynas on Wednesday cautioned that there was no guarantee that further contracts would be awarded.
“We are delighted to be selected for Phase 1 by the DoD. We have confidence in the strength of our proposal and in our ability to meet the conditions set by the DoD for the development of a successful heavy rare earths separation facility,” said Lynas CEO and MD Amanda Lacaze.
She said that the award of the Phase 1 contract created the foundation for a facility in the US that would assist the country in avoiding the supply chain vulnerability that has been exposed over the past year.
“We look forward to working with the DoD on Phase 1 of this important project,” Lacaze added.
Following Phase 1, the DoD will conduct a merit evaluation of Lynas and Blue Line, as well as any other parties selected for Phase 1.