Yes, the Australian company Lynas Rare Earths has successfully produced heavy rare earth elements, specifically dysprosium oxide and terbium, at its processing facility in Malaysia without reliance on China. This marks a significant milestone as Lynas became the first commercial-scale producer of heavy rare earth products outside China.
The production began at Lynas' Malaysia plant, with the new heavy rare earth separation circuit commissioned in early 2025. The first batch of dysprosium oxide was produced in May 2025, followed by terbium in June 2025. The facility processes materials sourced from Lynas’ Mount Weld mine in Western Australia, and there is no indication of Chinese involvement in the production process. This development is seen as a critical step in diversifying global supply chains for heavy rare earths, which are essential for high-performance magnets used in electric vehicles, wind turbines, and defense technologies.
