Singapore, July 15th (Argus) - Australian rare earth developer Hastings Technology Metals is expanding its plans for the Kabin Buri factory in Thailand to produce 12,000 tons of mixed rare earth concentrate per year, and intends to further increase the output to 36,000 tons per year by October to December 2028.
The factory is located on an inland road 175 kilometers away from the Lamchaung Port in Thailand Bay and has obtained African monazite ore. It is scheduled to start production in 2027. It may also import Australian raw materials from Hastings' own mines and third-party suppliers in the future.
The factory initially planned to produce 6,000 tons of mixed rare earth concentrate per year, but after receiving "a large number of inquiries" regarding rare earth ore purchases, the company decided to double its capacity in a $3 million project. Its goal is to produce mixed rare earth ore for the first time in January to March 2027.
The factory will use hydrochloric acid to produce mixed rare earth chlorides, which is the preferred method for global oxide separation.
The company stated that the economic basis of this project is the strong market prices of praseodymium and neodymium, as well as the lower labor, electricity, and reagent costs in Thailand compared to Western benchmarks.
The United States and Thailand signed a memorandum of understanding on the rare earth supply chain in October 2025, placing Hastings in a "Western government-supported supply chain".
In March this year, Hastings acquired a 49% stake in Singapore-based critical minerals company Enuo Holdings, with Enuo retaining the remaining 51%. Enuo will also collaborate with Hastings to conduct testing work for its Australian rare earth mine.
Hastings is collaborating with mining developer and company Wyloo Metals to develop its 40%-owned Yangibana rare earth joint venture in Western Australia, focusing on praseodymium and neodymium production.
Hastings released the latest final feasibility study report for Yangibana on July 14th, confirming its 37,000-ton per year rare earth concentrate capacity, with a total rare earth oxide content of 27%.
Wyloo confirmed that it intends to sell its 60% stake in the mine on the same day. The company stated that there is strong interest from both domestic and international parties.
Hastings is also developing its potential Brockman heavy rare earth and niobium project in Western Australia, which it fully owns.
