Japan and the EU to launch economic version of 2+2, joint procurement of rare earths, page-7

_{With Lynas's history with JOGMEC, surely Lynas will have a seat at the table to help the parties overcome these "technical challenges".}

• _{Joint investment funds: Combined resources from Japan's JOGMEC (Japan Oil, Gas and Metals National Corporation) and the European Investment Bank to finance mining and processing projects}
  

Technical challenges are equally significant:

• _{Separation of individual rare earth elements requires complex solvent extraction processes}
• _{Each deposit has a unique composition requiring customized processing}
• _{Handling radioactive byproducts (thorium and uranium) adds regulatory complexity}
• _{Achieving high purity levels (99.9%+) requires specialized expertise}

_{The expertise gap poses a particular challenge. China has developed its rare earth knowledge base over four decades, while Western expertise has atrophied. Rebuilding this capacity will require both time and substantial investment in education and training.}