Japan Australia Rare Earth (“JARE”), co-founded in 2011 by Sojitz Corporation (“Sojitz”) and Japan Organization for Metals and Energy Security(“JOGMEC”), today announced that it has decided an additional AUD 200million worth investment in the equity of Lynas Rare Earths Limited (“Lynas”), an Australian rare earths company. The contribution will be used for Lynas’ mid-term growth plan which includes light rare earths (LRE) production capacity expansion and heavy rare earths (HRE) separation commencement. Sojitz and JOGMEC have entered into an agreement with Lynas to supply up to 65% of the HRE (dysprosium and terbium) produced by Lynas from Mt. Weld feedstock to the Japanese market. This will be the first company to produce HRE from mine to finished product with a Japanese company involved.

Rare earths, divided into light and heavy rare earths, are used in various industries including the production of magnets for motors for electric vehicles and wind turbines.

LRE supplied to Japan by Lynas from Mt. Weld in Australia is used as the main ingredient to produce magnets for motors. Lynas will expand its LRE production capacity to stably supply LRE in the long term in light of the expected increase in the magnet demand to meet the decarbonization targets.

In addition, Lynas will start the production of the HRE, namely dysprosium and terbium, which is used to enhance the heat resistance of the magnets. The production will support the stable supply of HRE to Japan by diversifying the supply sources which are currently concentrated to China.

In 2011, Sojitz became the sole distributor of Lynas’ rare earth products in Japan and stably provides rare earths to Japanese customers for various purposes, including magnets. Sojitz aims to deliver adequate rare earths to Japanese markets through this additional contribution, which will enable the company to cater to the domestic HRE demands.

JOGMEC has decided to invest further in Lynas as these projects will contribute to ensuring a stable supply of rare earths to Japan.

Through this investment, Sojitz and JOGMEC intend to support the mid-term growth plan to further strengthen their relationship with Lynas and thereby achieve a stable supply of rare earths to Japan.

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●Structure Overview

 

Overview of Lynas

Name	Lynas Rare Earths Ltd（Listed on the Australian Stock Exchange）
Headquarters	Level 4, 1 Howard Street, Perth WA 6000 Australia
Representative	Amanda Lacaze
Business activities	Mining, Separation, Refining of Rare Earths
Market Capitalization	Approx. AUD 7.1billion（as of March 2, 2023）
Major Subsidiaries	Mt Weld Mining Pty Ltd（mining and concentration） Lynas Malaysia Sdn Bhd（separation and refining）

Overview of Sojitz

Location	2-1-1 Uchisaiwaicho, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo, Japan
Representative	Masayoshi Fujimoto
Incorporation	April 1, 2003
Capital	JPY160 billion

Overview of JOGMEC

Location	2-10-1 Toranomon, Minato-ku, Tokyo, Japan
Representative	Tetsuhiro Hosono
Incorporation	February 29, 2004
Capital	JPY 1.18 trillion

For more information, please contact:
Sojitz Corporation Public Relations Department　+81－3－6871－3404
JOGMEC Metals Development Department Metals Finance Division　+81－3－6758－8029