Lynas plans Brazil rare earths plant with state support
Brazilian officials see the proposed separation facility as a regional processing hub, with BNDES considering financing.
Lynas Rare Earths has proposed constructing a rare earth oxide separation plant in Brazil's Minas Gerais state, according to Mines and Energy Minister Alexandre Silveira. The government is considering financial support for the project, which could become one of the largest such facilities outside China. Lynas acquired the Caldeira project, which holds one of the largest known ionic-clay rare earth deposits outside China, through its $672 million purchase of Meteoric Resources.
State development bank BNDES is evaluating potential financing for the project. The proposed facility would position Brazil in commercial-scale rare earth separation, an industry dominated by China, and potentially create processing capacity for other deposits under development in southern Minas Gerais. BNDES is expected to conduct a technical visit to Lynas' Australian operations before the end of 2026 as discussions progress. Lynas has not responded to inquiries about the proposed plant.
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