Australia is working to develop its Browns Range to become the first significantdysprosium producer outside of China. The deposit has estimated dysprosium reserves of 2,294 tons, to be unlocked in a multistage process resulting in 279,000 kg of dysprosium per year. However, much work remains to be done to build processing and refining capacity outside of China. Australia’s Lynas Rare Earths is the largest producer of separated rare earths outside of China, but still sends oxides to Chinafor refining. Australia is expected to be reliant on China for REE refining until at least 2026.

The DOD has thrown its support behind Lynas Rare Earth’s U.S. subsidiary, Lynas USA, as well. The company was awarded a $30.4 million DPA Title III grant in 2021 for a U.S. separation facility for light REEs and another $120 million in 2022 for a heavy REE processing facility. These DPA investments are an important step in building completely independent supply chains for REE magnets.

The Consequences of China’s New Rare Earths Export Restrictions

https://www.csis.org/analysis/consequences-chinas-new-rare-earths-export-restrictions