Tronox Holdings (NYSE:TROX) has partnered with JX Advanced Metals (TYO:5016) to advance the development of a rare earth and critical minerals supply chain spanning Australia and the US.
Under a joint cooperation and investment agreement, the companies will fund approximately US$32 million ($45.9 million) on a 50-50 basis to advance studies and pilot-scale development.
The investment will support a Definitive Feasibility Study for Tronox’s proposed rare earth cracking and leaching facility in Western Australia.
The study is designed to assess the technical, economic, environmental, and commercial viability of establishing an integrated rare earths processing and refining platform, Tronox says.
Funding will also support a Prefeasibility Study for a rare earth oxide refinery in the US, as well as the development of a US-based pilot facility capable of producing initial quantities of high-purity rare earth oxides.
The partners will also explore production of other critical minerals and materials from Tronox’s mineral resources, including niobium, scandium, zirconium, and hafnium.
Tronox describes the partnership as a key milestone in the development of its rare earths supply chain.
Tronox CEO John Romano says the agreement would leverage the company’s “unique mineral sand resources and hydrometallurgical and chemical processing expertise” in a rapidly growing critical minerals market.
Australia-US processing network
The proposed cracking and leaching facility is expected to be located in WA’s Rockingham Industry Zone, about 3km south of Tronox’s Kwinana titanium dioxide pigment plant.
The proposed US refinery would be built on Tronox-owned land adjacent to its existing titanium dioxide pigment facility in Hamilton, Mississippi.
Together, the two facilities are currently envisaged to produce up to 10,000 tonnes of total rare earth oxides annually, according to company estimates.
Tronox says its mineral resources contain a mix of light and heavy rare earths, including neodymium and praseodymium, dysprosium and terbium, as well as samarium, gadolinium, and yttrium.
“By combining Tronox’s mining resources and reserves and project development capabilities with JXAM’s advanced refining and materials expertise, we are creating a pathway toward a secure, reliable, and globally competitive source of high-purity rare earth oxides and other critical minerals,“ says Romano.
Supply chain diversification
JX Advanced Metals CEO Hayashi Yoichi adds that strengthening and diversifying rare earth supply chains is a strategic priority for the Japanese company.
“Rare earths are essential to the advanced materials at the core of our growth strategy and diversifying and strengthening their supply chain is an important strategic priority for JX Advanced Metals,” he says.
“Through this joint study, we will bring together Tronox’s mineral resources and mineral separation capabilities with our technologies and expertise in nonferrous metals smelting and recycling to evaluate the potential of a rare earth processing business in Australia, the United States, and other locations.”
Tronox Holdings is one of the world’s leading producers of high-quality titanium products, including titanium dioxide pigment, specialty-grade titanium dioxide products and high-purity titanium chemicals, and zircon.
JX Advanced Metals is a global player in advanced materials related to copper, minor metals, and other nonferrous metals.
Write to Jackson Chen at Mining.com.au
Main Image: Tronox Holdings
