Lynas to plan and design rare earths facility for DoD
Australian/Malaysian company Lynas has officially received a contract from the DoD to prepare a heavy rare earth separation facility in the US.
The facility will process heavy rare earths material from the Lynas-owned Mount Weld mine in Western Australia.
Lynas had stated on 22 April that it was set to receive the contract, following a tender submission in December 2019.
Lynas and Texas-based partner Blue Line will complete a market and strategy study, including detailed planning and design for the construction of the separation facility.
Rare earths are used in permanent magnets, catalytic converters, batteries and electronics. According to Australian Defence Minister Linda Reynolds, every F-35 Lightning II fighter includes 417kg of rare earths.
Work will be completed by June 2021.
The US and its allies regard it as strategically vital to secure supplies of rare earth metals, especially as China is a major source. The US Senate is considering a bill (the Onshoring Rare Earths Act) that would set up a domestic supply chain and require the DoD to source these minerals domestically.
You may also like
More from Defence Notes
-
![US lawmakers warn that “more military spending is absolutely necessary” to ensure Pentagon’s readiness]()
US lawmakers warn that “more military spending is absolutely necessary” to ensure Pentagon’s readiness
The US Congress has raised concerns about how inflation rates and cuts in main acquisition programmes could affect the US military.
-
![US FY2024 funding package passes as China closes military capability gap]()
US FY2024 funding package passes as China closes military capability gap
The Pentagon has been operating under temporary funding since October 2023, which has impacted its main acquisition and development programmes, increasing the capability gap between the US and China.
-
![NATO outlines future challenges as Ukrainian funding from US stalls]()
NATO outlines future challenges as Ukrainian funding from US stalls
In 2023, defence spending increased by an unprecedented 11% across European NATO countries and Canada. Since 2014, the group has spent an additional US$600 billion on defence.
-
![US Pentagon to reduce investments in main acquisition programmes over FY2025]()
US Pentagon to reduce investments in main acquisition programmes over FY2025
The DoD requested nearly US$850 billion to fund operations over the next fiscal year. Despite the amount being 1% higher than the FY2024 budget request, it has not covered the 3% inflation rate, which could impact the DoD’s main programmes in the medium and long term.
-
![Haiti crisis forces Caribbean militaries to prepare for intervention]()
Haiti crisis forces Caribbean militaries to prepare for intervention
As gangs gain control of Port-au-Prince, Haiti’s Caribbean neighbours have been preparing to intervene in the failed state, with the US and other partners waiting in the wings with equipment and financial support.
