Magnetics Business & Technology - May/June 2023 - 9

FEATURE ARTICLE
Rare earths are separated from Iluka's mineral sands at the company's Mineral Separation Plant (MSP) in Western Australia. This is one of
the largest MSPs globally.
By 2026, excluding supply from China, Iluka's refinery is forecast
to produce over 60% of refined heavy rare earth oxides, dysprosium
and terbium from the company's stockpile of material alone.
As Iluka introduces additional feedstocks through the refinery,
the volume of refined magnet oxides produced is forecast to
increase.
The company has already begun work on securing additional
feed, including developing internal Iluka projects that contain
rare earths and through investment in third parties. Iluka recently
announced a strategic partnership with Northern Minerals Ltd,
who are developing a rare earths project in Western Australia
that is characterised by a high assemblage of heavy rare earths
(Dy and Tb).
Aside from the security offered through a diversified supply
chain, Iluka is working to produce a low-impact product, that is
responsibly mined and processed under Australian regulations.
Iluka's production of rare earth oxides as a co-product provides
significant advantages in sustainability when compared to current
production.
The closed circuit design of the refinery will enable the recovery
and reuse of both water and reagents used in the processing circuit,
dramatically reducing the volume of waste produced while
also lowering the refinery's processing costs.
To demonstrate the overall lower impact of its rare earth products
compared to many other producers, and to identify and plan
for scenarios to reduce their impact, Iluka is completing a Life
Cycle Assessment (LCA) for its rare earth products. The LCA
will evaluate the effects that Iluka's rare earth products have on
the environment during the mining and processing, including the
global warming potential, power and water usage, and human
toxicity potential.
Iluka's rare earths development is progressing from strength to
strength. The company has commissioned a Screening Plant
and a Beneficiation Plant to further upgrade the material before
entering the refinery circuit and, despite the global supply chain
challenges, work on the refinery remains on schedule.
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Beyond the production of rare earth oxides, Iluka is considering
progressing even further along the rare earth supply chain, including
rare earth metallisation, an essential step in the development
of permanent magnets.
For further information on Iluka visit www.iluka.com
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May/June 2023 * Magnetics Business & Technology 9

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Magnetics Business & Technology - May/June 2023

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