Australia’s next rare earths producer Hastings Technology Metals Ltd (ASX: HAS) has received approvals for a significant portion of the debt package required to fund construction of the Yangibana Rare Earths Project, in the Gascoyne region of Western Australia.
The Federal Government’s Northern Australia Infrastructure Facility (NAIF) has agreed to supply a A$140 million, 12½-year tenor loan facility for the development of Yangibana. The loan has been approved by the NAIF Board and endorsed by the Federal Minister for Northern Australia, the Honourable David Littleproud.
The NAIF loan forms part of the A$300-400 million of total debt funding required for Yangibana and is aligned with Australia’s Critical Minerals Strategy and the Western Australian Government’s Future Battery Industry Strategy.
The Yangibana project, which comprises a mine and beneficiation plant at the Yangibana site and a hydrometallurgical plant at the Ashburton North Strategic Industrial Area (ANSIA) near Onslow, will become Australia’s second rare earths producer and expands the country’s strategic capability in downstream processing of rare earths minerals.
The Federal Government’s commitment to Yangibana comes at a significant inflexion point for the global rare earths sector amid a drive by rare earths magnet-end users to secure responsible and reliable sources of supply. The increased demand from electrification of transport through EVs and the decarbonisation of the energy sector through wind turbines has created pressure for new supply sources to be brought online rapidly. The mixed rare earths carbonate produced by the Yangibana Project will meet approximately 6-8% of global demand for the critical minerals of neodymium and praseodymium used in the manufacture of permanent magnets.
Yangibana is endowed with the world’s highest composition of neodymium and praseodymium and is located in the Tier 1 mining jurisdiction in Western Australia.
Hastings has commenced early site works at Yangibana and recently received Commonwealth environmental approvals to develop the hydrometallurgical plant site at ANSIA near Onslow. Hastings expects to complete supporting infrastructure activities at Yangibana by the middle of this year in advance of commencing construction of the beneficiation plant in conjunction with the hydrometallurgical plant.
Yangibana will support a peak construction workforce of nearly 500 in the Upper Gascoyne and Lower Pilbara regions of Western Australia and create more than 250 steady state operational jobs during the initial 15-year mine life.
Commenting on NAIF’s loan approval, Hastings Technology Metals executive chairman Charles Lew said:
“Hastings is delighted to have received the Federal Government’s support, through the Northern Australia Infrastructure Facility, for the Yangibana rare earths project.
“This is the Commonwealth’s first project financing package for the construction of a rare earth mine and production plant in Australia and supports the rapid development worldwide of decarbonisation technologies in e-mobility and energy. In view of the UN Climate Change Conference (COP26) held in November 2021, Hastings is proud to be at the forefront of this significant global transition to a lower-carbon future and aims to be a part of the global efforts towards sustainability.”
“The commitment by NAIF will enable Hastings to finalise the funding requirements for Yangibana’s development and move into full-scale construction throughout 2022, with the objective of delivering first production by 2024.
“Yangibana is an amazing rare earths opportunity that will supply the world’s highest composition neodymium and praseodymium concentrate to Tier 1 customers in Europe and Asia.
“This is an exciting time not just for Hastings but for Australia’s emerging rare earths sector. We look forward to finalising the funding arrangements that will enable the Hastings Board to make a final investment decision in the coming months.”
