Japan is all ready a buyer of SEG and does separation. They also make Metals and magnets from oxides. Why you think they may already know how to do these things with their own IP. The basic SX technology has been around since 1900 for other products. one of the original was recovering dyes. Learning how to adjust it on the fly is an art that has to be learned. Lynas has learned it well as have people in all the industries that use SX to separate things. There is no IP in the basic process. This is proven by Lynas having no AU of international patents. Lynas's process is getting long in the tooth. Mp uses Pre roasting of Concentrate and different reagents to achieve higher yields. A couple of days ago I read about a new polymer filter that achieve much higher recovery. ( I have no idea if it can be used for higher quantities). Anyone that thinks Lynas's process that was developed for China over 20 years ago is state of the art is just delusional.
MP Worked with China on pre roasting. They did this to simplify handling and weight when they shipped Concentrate, One of the advantages is the REE is unseparated oxides after roasting. MP did not use the MCP separations circuits they built new ones. Lynas would gain nothing by pre-roasting unless they redid their entire lamp process. UCORE sym UURAF has a brand new process for separating HREE it is called Rapid SX I know little about it. I do know that in early March stock was at $0.44 to day it is $1.45 UCORE claims it is faster with lower operating costs and much lower CAP X. Read about it and you decide. Ucore Rare Metals Inc. This is UCOR's latest progress report. Ucore Progresses Through Heavy Rare Earth Processing as It Completes Second Milestone of Strategic US DoD Contract – Ucore Rare Metals Inc.
I doubt someone starting fresh would use MP's or Lynas's process there are many new & better, process underdevelopment now.
Do some research and do not assume what was true maybe a dozen or more years ago is still true to day no mater how often repeated on this board.
LYC Price at posting:
$8.33 Sentiment: Sell Disclosure: Not Held
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