Magnetics Business & Technology - May/June 2023 - 8

FEATURE ARTICLE
Iluka's Australian Rare Earths Refinery; Delivering a Sustainable Alternative
A render of Iluka's Rare Earths Refinery alongside existing facilities and the rare earth stockpile.
As the world moves towards an electrified future, the demand
for permanent magnets is amplifying the already intense pressures
on global supply chains.
In the sandplains of Western Australia, a small regional community
called Eneabba is at the centre of what is set to become a
globally significant and strategic hub for the downstream processing
of rare earth resources, a critical component of permanent
magnets.
Construction is underway for Australia's first fully-integrated rare
earths refinery, the result of long term strategic planning by Iluka
Resources, a leading producer of zircon and high grade titanium
dioxide feedstocks (rutile and synthetic rutile).
In approximately two years Iluka will be producing both light and
heavy separated rare earth oxides, including the 'magnet' rare
earths - neodymium (Nd), praseodymium (Pr), dysprosium (Dy)
and terbium (Tb).
Found in electric vehicles, wind turbines, electronics and a range
of defence and communication applications, the demand for
magnet rare earth oxides has resulted in a global supply deficit for
these critical minerals.
So why would a company that produces zircon and titanium dioxide
feedstocks build a rare earths refinery?
Rare earths co-exist with Iluka's mineral sands products and,
since the 1970s, Iluka has stockpiled its rare earth bearing minerals
in a former mining void in Eneabba. Separated during the processing
and extraction of zircon and titanium dioxide feedstocks,
over 1 million tonnes of heavy mineral concentrate has been
stockpiled by Iluka. Rich in the highly valuable light and heavy
rare earths, Iluka's stockpile is now the world's highest grade rare
earths operation.
In April of 2022, Iluka announced that the company had entered
into a risk sharing arrangement with the Australian Government to
develop a globally significant rare earths refinery in Australia. This
arrangement included a A$1.25 Billion non-recourse loan from
8 Magnetics Business & Technology * May/June 2023
www.MagneticsMag.com
the government's Critical Minerals Facility, established to provide
support for critical minerals projects.
The refinery will be capable of processing up to 23,000 tonnes
per annum of separated rare earth oxides, with processing, separation
and finishing all completed at the one location in Eneabba.
The state-of-the-art design will also enable flexibility in processing
of feedstock, including product produced by Iluka and by third
parties.
" As one of few facilities in the world that will produce both light
(Nd and Pr) and heavy (Dy and Tb) separated rare earth oxides,
Iluka's refinery positions the company and Australia at the forefront
of an accelerating transition to a lower carbon economy via
electrification. " said Iluka's Managing Director, Tom O'Leary.
" Diversified supply chains, particularly for the procurement of strategic
materials, is a growing priority for industry. Iluka is focussed
on ensuring we can deliver a sustainable and secure supply of
these critical minerals. "

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