Australia’s first rare earths processing facility has been opened in Western Australia.
The Lynas Rare Earths processing plant in Kalgoorlie will be the world’s largest, outside China.
Federal Resource Minster Madeleine King said the new plant would boost Australia’s ability to diversify the global supply of critical minerals.
Minister King said it would create around 115 direct jobs in the Goldfields region by processing ores from the nearby Mt Weld mine to create a mixed rare earth carbonate.
“This opening is a big deal for Kalgoorlie, a huge deal for Western Australia and a massive step for Australia,” Minister King said.
She said processing more of Australia’s critical minerals and rare earths here would deliver direct economic benefits and strengthening our sovereign capability.
“Critical minerals and rare earths elements are essential for the clean energy technologies such as electric vehicles, solar panels and wind turbines, as well as advanced electronics, the defence industry and medical devices.”
