Lynas to Start Rare Earth Production in 2009

Australian rare metal producer, Lynas Corporation starts construction of ore treatment plant in June, said vice president Matthew James to Japan Metal Bulletin on Thursday. The firm starts commercial operation in July-September 2009. The firm plans to produce annual 15,000 tonnes in rare earth oxide for the first stage expanding the operation to 21,000 tonnes level for A$ 377.5 million. The firm develops rare earth resource at Mt Weld mine in Western Australia. The firm now mines ore at only middle of the mine under contract with Australian mineral company through May 2007. The firm starts the plant construction after the contract. The firm produces annual 120,000 tonnes of crude ore with 17% of rare earth oxide and processes into 32,000 tonnes of concentrate with 40% purity grade. The firm expands the operation to 240,000 tonnes of crude ore and 64,000 tonnes of concentrate at the second stage. The firm ships the concentrate to Malaysia to refine. The firm expects rare earth production including 2,500 tonnes of cerium carbonate, 1,300 tonnes of lanthanum carbonate, 3,650 tonnes of cerium/lanthanum carbonate, 2,600 tonnes of neodymium/praseodymium oxide and 450 tonnes of heavy rare earth.