The $1-1.2-billion project will produce high-value neodymium, dysprosium, praseodymium and terbium. These separated rare earth oxides are critical to a range of technologies, including electrical vehicles, clean energy generation, advanced electronics and medical and defense applications.
Eneabba is the highest-grade rare earths operation globally. It currently consists of Iluka's unique stockpile of the rare earth bearing minerals monazite and xenotime, as well as the company's Phase 1 (screening) and Phase 2 (concentrating) plant.
Phase 3 (refinery) will build on this existing operation to deliver a significant downstream infrastructure asset comprising roasting, leaching, purification, solvent extraction and product finishing. The refinery will be fed initially from the Eneabba stockpile.