DRA Pacific has bagged a contract for the rare earths processing plant and the associated infrastructure of the Yangibana Rare Earths Project in Western Australia.

The contract to the DRA Global subsidiary, worth around AUD 350 million ($239.8 million), is for providing engineering, procurement, construction and management (EPCM) services for the rare earths processing plant.

It awarded by Hastings Technology Metals, an Australian rare earths company, which is developing the Yangibana Rare Earths Project in Wanna Station, Gascoyne region.

DRA Pacific’s EPCM contract follows a series of value engineering studies and the front-end-engineering-design (FEED) it had completed between 2018 and 2019.

Commenting on the Yangibana Rare Earths Project contract, Andrew Naude – CEO of DRA Global, said: “Awarding the execution of this internationally important rare earths project on the Australian Continent to DRA is testament to DRA’s position as the preferred technical partner for projects of this nature.

“DRA is honoured to have been selected by Hastings for the execution of the project. We have put together a very strong team for the delivery of the project and our Project Manager has significant experience in delivering successful projects.”

As per the EPCM contract, the construction engineering company will be responsible for all aspects of the design and construction of the rare earths processing plant and associated non-process infrastructure capable of drawing 15,000 tonnes of mixed rare earths carbonate (MREC) per year.

Charles Lew – Executive Chairman of Hastings Technology Metals, on awarding the Yangibana Rare Earths Project contract, said: “We are pleased to have DRA involved in the construction of the Yangibana processing plant. Their knowledge and experience in developing successful minerals processing projects makes them the ideal candidate to manage the construction of our project.

“The award of the EPCM contract moves the Yangibana Rare Earths Project firmly into development phase to commence project execution and progress to production of our mixed rare earth carbonate by 2022.”

Details of the Yangibana Rare Earths Project

The Yangibana Rare Earths Project covers development of nine mining licences (MLs), located nearly 270km east-northeast of Carnarvon, with an investment of around AUD 427 million. The Australian rare earths mine, which spans 650 sq km, is said to have significant resources of Neodymium and Praseodymium.

Six of the MLs of the Yangibana Rare Earths Project are owned 100% by Hastings Technology Metals and the remaining three are held by its 70:30 joint venture with Rare Earth Minerals.

  Andrew Naude, Australia, Charles Lew, DRA Global, DRA Pacific, Gascoyne, Hastings Technology Metals, Rare Earth Minerals, Wanna Station, Western Australia, Yangibana Rare Earths Project