Race for Rare Earths Heats Up as Lynas Plans New Malaysia Facility
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On October 24, 2023, Malaysia approved Lynas of Australia to import and process rare earths by March 2026.
Australia’s Lynas Rare Earths, the world’s largest producer of rare earths outside of China, announced plans Tuesday to build a 500 million ringgit ($106 million) heavy rare-earths separation facility in Malaysia, a move to shore up the global supply of strategic minerals outside of China amid rising geopolitical friction.
The new plant, with a projected annual processing capacity of 5,000 tons, is designed to meet growing demand for a supply chain independent of Beijing, the Australian company said in a statement on October 29.
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- Lynas Rare Earths will build a $106 million heavy rare-earth separation facility in Malaysia with 5,000 tons annual capacity, aiming to boost non-Chinese supply.
- China’s export controls on key heavy rare earths have spurred global efforts, including U.S.-led alliances and Malaysia’s export ban on unprocessed rare earths.
- Lynas is expanding in Malaysia and planning a U.S. facility; President Trump claims an understanding with China on rare earths was reached in October 2024.
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Who’s Who
- Lynas Rare Earths
- Lynas Rare Earths, an Australian company, is the largest rare earths producer outside of China. They plan to build a $106 million heavy rare-earths separation facility in Malaysia to boost global supply independent of China. Lynas is the sole non-Chinese supplier of dysprosium and terbium, with samarium production expected to begin in April 2026. The company also has a facility planned in the U.S.
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What Happened When
- April 2025：
- China began to impose export controls on seven key heavy rare earths, including dysprosium and terbium.
- May 2025：
- Lynas began large-scale production of dysprosium at its existing plant in Kuantan, Malaysia.
- June 2025：
- Lynas began large-scale production of terbium at its plant in Kuantan, Malaysia.
- August 2025：
- Malaysia implemented a ban on unprocessed rare-earth exports.
- October 26, 2025 - October 28, 2025：
- U.S. President Donald Trump’s Asia tour, during which the U.S. signed framework agreements on mineral cooperation with Japan, Thailand, and Malaysia.
- By October 29, 2025：
- Lynas Rare Earths announced plans to build a heavy rare-earths separation facility in Malaysia.
- October 29, 2025：
- Lynas Rare Earths made a public statement regarding the new Malaysia plant.
- October 30, 2025：
- President Donald Trump and President Xi Jinping met in Busan, South Korea, and reportedly reached an understanding on the global rare earths situation.
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