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Rainbow Rare Earths Ltd (LSE:RBW) has announced significant progress at its Phalaborwa project, confirming the effectiveness of its innovative process for recovering rare earth elements (REE) from phosphogypsum. This breakthrough marks a pivotal step towards the first commercial recovery of REEs using this method, which is designed to reduce the plant’s footprint while enhancing capital and operational efficiencies.
The company successfully produced neodymium and praseodymium oxides with a purity of approximately 96%, a quality verified by market participants as suitable for sale. Chief Executive George Bennett expressed pride in the team’s efforts, noting that they have optimized the primary front-end leach flowsheet, resulting in a simplified process for REE recovery compared to the approach outlined in the Preliminary Economic Assessment (PEA). While two saleable products have been achieved—a mixed rare earth carbonate and separated Nd/Pr oxide—the focus remains on optimizing the process further to reach a target purity of over 99%.
Rainbow Rare Earths plans to complete a definitive feasibility study (DFS) by the end of 2025, with initial estimates suggesting completion in the first half of that year. Offtake discussions are already underway with potential partners seeking a strategic and ethical supply of rare earths, which are essential for the green energy transition.
Bennett highlighted the significant market opportunity, emphasizing vulnerabilities in the REE supply chain due to China's dominant position and its capacity to restrict access to specialty metals. He noted that the geopolitical landscape has heightened risks, positioning Phalaborwa as a critical contributor to an independent and ethical REE supply chain.
Looking ahead, the company anticipates that its innovative processing technology could be applied to a broader market. Rainbow Rare Earths is currently evaluating strategic partnership opportunities in regions including Saudi Arabia, Canada, and India. Additionally, the company maintains a partnership with Mosaic Company in Brazil and is engaged in a separate venture in Morocco, further enhancing its global footprint in the rare earth sector.
