Lynas recruited for Texan rare earths plant

The department will pay Lynas $US120 million ($A172.9 million) to establish the first-of-its-kind facility in a contract that follows an initial phase one arrangement struck two years ago.

Lynas is currently in the process of building its own rare earths processing facility in Kalgoorlie after receiving full approvals for construction earlier this year.

Though Lynas says the move will complement its existing production suite and allow it to establish an operating footprint in the US.

It has been proposed that feedstock will be a mixed rare earth carbonate from material at the Lynas mine in Mt Weld, with potential third-party providers to source feedstocks when they become available.

The new facility is set to be located in an existing industrial area on the Gulf Coast of Texas and be up and running in the 2025 financial year, according to Lynas.

Chief executive and managing director Amanda Lacaze said developing a US heavy rare earths separation facility in the US was an important part of the company’s growth plan.

“This includes working to develop the Rare Earths supply chain and value-added activities,” Ms Lacaze said.

Lynas shares were down 3.73 per cent at 1:09pm AEST to trade at $8.26.