Kalgoorlie Rare Earths Processing Facility
Project Update – February 2021
Lynas in the news Where will the Lynas Facility be located? As the only significant producer of separated Rare Our proposed Rare Earth Processing Facility will be Earths outside of China, Lynas has an important role to located on Lot 500 Great Eastern Highway, Yilkari, west play in the development of resilient global of Kalgoorlie. Lynas has a sub-lease from the City of manufacturing supply chains. Recently (January 2021), Kalgoorlie Boulder and a General Purpose Lease. The we signed an agreement with the United States site is located in a zone the City has zoned for General Government to build a commercial Light Rare Earths Industry and supports Government initiatives to build a separation plant in the U.S., with the U.S. Government critical minerals hub in Kalgoorlie. to provide funding up to approx. $US30m. This follows a contract signed in July 2020 for Phase 1 work on a U.S. Heavy Rare Earth separation facility. The proposed Light Rare Earth separation plant will be designed to process Rare Earth carbonate produced at our proposed Kalgoorlie Facility. Has COVID-19 affected the Rare Earths market? Lynas produces separated Rare Earth materials for many sectors including magnetic motors for electric and hybrid vehicles as well as wind turbines. Wind energy capacity grew by 8% in 2020 despite the effects of COVID-19 (IEA). While 2020 global car sales are expected to be approx. 14% lower than in 2019, the IEA’s preliminary estimate is for 40% growth in global sales of electric vehicles from 2019, to reach a market share of 4%. Growth was particularly strong in Europe as a result of government policy support.
A second site has been identified for the long-term storage of by-products from the Kalgoorlie Rare Earth Processing Facility. The site is just north of the Yarri Road Waste Disposal Facility, a municipal waste station operated by the City of Kalgoorlie Boulder. Lynas is in the process of securing suitable tenure for Global electric car sales by key markets 2010-2020e, IEA the Yarri Road Site and we have lodged an application for a General Purpose Lease (GPL) for the site. Baseline and engineering studies for the long-term storage of material are also being undertaken.
Kalgoorlie Rare Earths Processing Facility
Project Update – February 2021
Engineering design Ongoing consultation The process engineering and high level design for the We’re committed to consulting with the Kalgoorlie- Kalgoorlie Rare Earth Processing facility has been done Boulder community about our proposed Facility. In in house by the Lynas team. The detailed engineering 2020, this included an interactive online Community design is being carried out by a range of Western Information Forum, a Pop-Up Information Point on St Australian companies. Detailed engineering design for Barbara’s Square in September, presentations to the earthworks, civils and structural, electrical and control KBCCI, and a booth at the Lorna Mitchell Spring system are all in progress. Festival. Updates and FAQs on the proposed Facility and our WA operations are available on our website at: www.lynascorp.com/projects and on the Lynas Western Australia Facebook page (@LynasWA). In our discussions with community members, the four most commonly asked questions are: 1. Will Lynas have a residential or FIFO workforce? Answer: We are committed to having a residential workforce for this Facility.
Artist Impression of Kalgoorlie RE Processing Facility 2. What are the opportunities for local businesses? New equipment Answer: We recognise the positive impacts local businesses make on our communities and will Procurement of the plant equipment is progressing. The 6m diameter, 110m long kiln ordered in July 2020 preference local businesses and suppliers. is under construction. 3. What about radiation? Other equipment orders have been placed, including for Answer: Radiation assessments completed in pressure filters, metal and rubber lined tanks, FRP consultation with the Radiological Council and DMIRS tanks, spray tower, agitators, and the wet electrostatic have proven that radiation exposures from the project precipitator. will not exceed acceptable limits. The iron phosphate by-product from our processing is safe and contains low levels of naturally occurring radioactive material. If you haven’t yet seen our radiation safety demonstration, you can watch the video on our facebook page @LynasWA 4. What stack emissions will there be? Answer: The plant will include a proven 4-stage flue gas treatment plant which removes sulphur and particulates. Predictive air quality modelling conducted in consultation with the EPA and DWER has shown that ground level concentrations of all key emissions will not adversely affect the health, welfare or amenity of sensitive receptors. The EPA assessment of the project will include an Kiln fabrication opportunity for public comment. You can subscribe to
Kalgoorlie Rare Earths Processing Facility
Project Update – February 2021
EPA updates at: https://www.epa.wa.gov.au/proposals/lynas- These works do not pre-empt the EPA’s assessment of kalgoorlie-rare-earths-processing-facility the overall project and if required, are fully reversible through implementation of an approved site-specific Approvals update Rehabilitation Management Plan. Lynas has continued The project was referred under the EPBC Act to the to be transparent and is engaging with key stakeholders Department of Agriculture, Water and Environment. A including nearby landholders on these works so that all decision from DAWE was received on 3 September parties are fully informed of the minor scale of the 2020 stating, “The proposed action is not a controlled works and limited environmental impact. action”. This means the proposed action does not require further assessment and approval under the Further information or feedback can be directed to the EPBC Act before it can proceed. Lynas Kalgoorlie Project Team through our contact details below. The project referral (Section 38) and supporting documentation has been submitted to the Western Local business opportunities Australian Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and We’re excited to be working with local Goldfields is available on the EPA website at: businesses as we progress our plans for the proposed https://www.epa.wa.gov.au/proposals/lynas-kalgoorlie-rare-earths- Rare Earths Processing Facility. processing-facility In September 2020, our fencing contract was awarded Minor or Preliminary Works to local contractors. Built by Geoff and Versatile Plant There is the capability under Section 41A(3) of the WA Hire & Contracting are pictured below on site with our Environmental Protection Act, 1986 for Minor or Construction Manager, George. Preliminary Works that are associated with an To register your interest as a supplier, please visit: implementation of a proposal but are unlikely to have a https://www.lynascorp.com/suppliers-form/ significant environmental impact. Under this provision, Lynas has applied to establish the access road, clear up to 10ha of the site and establish a pad suitable for the delivery of equipment (to allow delivery of rotary kiln components), some basic site services (office, ablutions) and the kiln footings.
Have a question or feedback? Contact our Kalgoorlie Project Team at: [email protected]