Lynas boss leaves door ajar for rare earths mega-merger

https://www.copyright link/companies/mining/lynas-boss-leaves-door-ajar-for-rare-earths-mega-merger-20240424-p5fm5b

Extract below

"Asked about the prospect of consolidation outside of China, including a deal between Lynas and MP, Mrs Lacaze left the door ajar.

“We have talked about the value of having a Western rare earths champion with real critical mass,” she said.

“For whatever reasons, as it turned out the time was not quite right, but that doesn’t mean that it won’t be at some stage.”

Lynas and Las Vegas-based MP are the world’s two biggest producers of rare earths outside of China. Both have the backing of the US Department of Defence to build processing plants in Texas to produce rare earth materials essential in modern weapons systems, electronics and in the renewable energy sector.

Ms Lacaze refused to comment on whether US defence chiefs and government leaders had encouraged a merger. "

Well my speculation doesn't feel outlandish now it's from the horse's mouth.