Eneabba is a fully integrated rare-earths refinery under construction in Western Australia for separated light and heavy rare-earth oxides. Iluka reaffirmed total estimated capital cost of A$1.7-1.8 billion in August 2026. The circuit comprises cracking, leaching and purification, two stages of separation and product finishing. Concentrate capacity is 55 ktpa; the light rare-earth circuit is limited to 17 ktpa including NdPr and LaCe. NdPr oxide capacity is 5,500 tpa, DyTb oxide capacity is 750 tpa and total rare-earth oxide capacity is 23,000 tpa. Solvent-extraction circuit capacities determine feed blend and final product volumes and are fixed in the short term; debottlenecking and additional separation capacity, such as for yttrium oxide, may be considered after commissioning. Iluka's illustrative blend options show annual NdPr, DyTb and HRE+yttrium outputs, respectively: Eneabba plus Balranald, 3,700-3,900 tpa, approximately 180 tpa and approximately 1,000 tpa; a light rare-earth focus adding Wimmera, Lindian and VHM, 4,100-4,300 tpa, 350-400 tpa and 2,000-3,000 tpa; and a heavy rare-earth focus adding Wimmera, Northern and VHM, 3,600-3,800 tpa, 650-750 tpa and 4,000-5,000 tpa. HRE+yttrium figures are contained REO in carbonate. These are illustrative outcomes for feed blends that may be used from time to time, conditional on concentrate inputs and refinery capacities. Eneabba stockpile concentrate volumes vary by blend; other delivered feeds could be stockpiled. Excluding a third-party feed from a scenario does not indicate confidence in that source. The presentation identifies Eneabba and Balranald as operational feedstock sources. Lindian's Kangankunde targets first production in Q4 2026; VHM's Goschen is progressing HMC offtake and project financing ahead of FID; Wimmera's DFS is in progress; and Northern Minerals' Browns Range is progressing FEED towards FID, with first production anticipated in Q4 2028/Q1 2029. VHM Goschen, Iluka Wimmera and Northern Minerals Wolverine had not reached FID, and there is no certainty these projects will proceed.
- Country
- Australia
- Commodity
- REE
- Stage
- Construction