THE Federal Minister of Industry has confirmed American and Australian officials have discussed production of rare earth element sources in the country in the past.
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“The US is aware that development of resources in Australia is a commercial matter,” Ian Macfarlane said.
The former Mary Kathleen uranium mine site is one of only several rare earth elements projects in Australia at the feasibility or advanced exploration stages.
Mr Macfarlane said there is only one operating rare earths mine in Australia.
The ASX listed company Lynas Corporation Ltd owns the light rare earths deposit 35 kilometres south of Laverton, WA.
The rare earth concentrate is shipped to a processing plant in Gebeng, Malaysia.
Mr Macfarlane said Mt Weld produced 15,710 dry tonnes of concentrate containing 5626 tonnes of rare earth oxides for export to its Malaysian processing facility.
“Any decision to invest in development of further rare earth resources would be a commercial decision,” he said.
Queensland chief geologist Brad John said seven million tonnes of rare earth minerals have been detected in the Mary Kathleen tailings at an average of three per cent purity.
Member for Mount Isa Robbie Katter said development of rare earths at Mary Kathleen and in the North West region should be given full support.
He welcomed State Minister for Mines Andrew Cripps’ announcement that Mary Kathleen will be open for a competitive tendering process was welcomed.
Mr Katter said rare earths “added another string to the bow” for the North West Minerals Province.
“I strongly welcome the announcement and will work with government so that all potential miners of this resource can get projects up and running as soon as possible.
“We will be pulling minerals out of the ground from this region long after any of us have gone and it comes as no surprise when new opportunities arise.’’
