Rotary kiln system for baking rare earth elements
Metso Minerals has signed a contract with Lynas Kalgoorlie Pty Ltd for the supply of a large rotary kiln and combustion system for baking rare earth elements. The order is valued at approximately EUR 13 million. Commissioning of the kiln is expected to take place in 2022.
Commenting on the award, Lynas CEO and Managing Director Amanda Lacaze said: “The kiln is the longest lead time item for our Kalgoorlie project and placing this order is an important milestone in the development of our new processing plant in Kalgoorlie. The project is progressing to schedule and we look forward to working with Metso Outotec on the engineering and supply of the kiln.”
Lynas is the second largest producer of rare earths and the largest outside of China. Metso Outotec is a leader in the supply of rotary kilns for the mining industry, with over 1,300 installations worldwide.
The companies will work together to develop a rotary kiln system for Lynas’ new greenfield cracking & leaching plant in Kalgoorlie-Boulder, Western Australia.
The plant will process concentrate from the Mount Weld mine and provide an intermediate feed for further processing to produce NdPr (neodymium and praseodymium), which are key elements used in high-tech consumer electronics and green energy technologies.
“We are excited at having been selected by Lynas as a key supplier for the development of its significant greenfield project in Western Australia. Metso Outotec’s rotary kiln system forms an integral part for the processing of rare earths,” says Stephan W. Kirsch, President, Minerals business area, Metso Outotec.
