Australian Government grants approval to Onslow Rare Earths Plant WA

The Department of Agriculture, Water and the Environment (DAWE) has granted environmental approval to Hastings Technology Metals for the development of a hydrometallurgical plant as part of the Yangibana Rare Earths Project in Western Australia. 

The Onslow Rare Earths Plant is going to be built at the Ashburton North Strategic Industrial Area (ANSIA), about 15 kilometres south west of Onslow. 

“This is a significant milestone for our Yangibana Rare Earths Project and further endoreses Hastings’ decision last year to decouple the processing plant from the Yangibana mine site. The Commonwealth environmental approval will allow Hastings to construct the Onslow Rare Earths Plant for a full production rate of 15,000 tonnes of MREC per annum, unlocking the high-quality and NdPr-rich rare earths carbonate that we will produce at Yangibana. 

“Importantly, the Commonwealth approval is another positive step in Hastings’ journey to become Australia’s next rare earth producer. Debt financing are advancing well and scheduled for conclusion before the end of this year and early stage civil works at the Yangibana mine site are in progress,” Hastings Technology Metals Executive Chairman Charles Lew said. 

Source: Hastings Technology Metals

The hydrometallurgical plant will process rare earths oxide concentrate from the Yangibana mine into mixed rare earth carbonate (MREC) that contains high levels of neodymium and praseodymium concentrate (NdPr). 

NdPr is a vital component in the manufacturing of permanent magnets needed in advanced technology products – from electric vehicles to wind turbines, robotics, medical application and digital devices. 

Construction of the Onslow Rare Earths Plant is anticipated to commence in 2022, following the completion of early works at the Yangibana mine. 

Hastings Technology Metals is targeting to produce the first MREC in early 2024. 

Yangibana Rare Earths Project location (source: Hastings Technology Metals)

The Yangibana Rare Earths Project is located in the Gascoyne region, about 250 kilometres north east of Carnarvon. The project covers approximately 650 square kilometres and contains substantial resources of neodymium and praseodymium. 

Civil works at Yangibana is already underway and main construction is expected to begin in late 2021, with first production lodged for late 2023. 

Source: Hastings Technology Metals (1, 2); Australian Mining