Lynas would love to get their hands on BCM's ultra low impurity REE product right now....

Securing US Rare Earth Supply: Lynas’s $575M Texas Refinery

By John Zadehon April 28, 2025

Understanding Lynas Rare Earths' Texas Refinery Project

Australia's Lynas Rare Earths Ltd., backed by mining magnate Gina Rinehart, faces significant challenges and opportunities with its Texas refinery project. As the largest non-Chinese rare earths producer, Lynas plays a critical role in diversifying global supply chains amid escalating U.S.-China tensions. The project's costs have surged due to wastewater management complexities, prompting negotiations with the Trump administration for federal support. However, proposedChinese export restrictionsthreaten to undermine its economic viability, creating a policy paradox where national security priorities clash with trade protectionism.

Strategic Importance for US Rare Earth Supply Chain

The Department of Defense estimates the U.S. military requires 1,200 tons of rare earth magnets annually by 2030, with current domestic production at zero. Lynas' Texas output could meet 35% of projected defense needs while supplying enough materials for approximately 500,000 EV motors per year.

Location in Texas' Gulf Coast petrochemical corridor provides access to 14 wastewater treatment facilities within 50 miles, though none are currently permitted for handling radioactive byproducts that result from rare earth processing.

Current Status of Pre-Construction Activities

Site preparation at the 200-acre Seadrift location began Q3 2024, with geotechnical surveys identifying unexpected clay deposits requiring 18% additional foundation work. The project timeline shows:

• Front-End Engineering Design (FEED): 78% complete as of April 2025
• Environmental permits: 12 of 15 approvals secured
• Construction workforce: Projected peak of 1,200 workers in Q2 2026

Wastewater Challenges Driving Cost Increases

Original 2023 cost estimates of $400 million have risen to $575 million due to:

1. Radionuclide removal systems: $85 million upgrade for thorium filtration
2. Zero liquid discharge (ZLD) implementation: Adds $63 million in capital costs
3. Brine concentration technology: 40% energy surcharge versus conventional methods

The unforeseen complexity of treating water containing naturally occurring radioactive materials (NORM) has necessitated specialized filtration systems not initially budgeted.

https://discoveryalert.com.au/news/lynas-rare-earths-texas-refinery-2025-us-project/



Meanwhile over at BCM our thorium is going at 0.02 parts per million before we even try to tweak the process to remove what's left....