Arafura expands US rare earth offtake deal by 70%
2026-10-15 10:49:37 [Print]
Arafura Rare Earths, backed by mining investor Gina Rinehart, has secured an agreement to supply Traxys North America with 850 tonnes of neodymium-praseodymium (NdPr) oxide per annum from its Nolans project, representing a 70% increase on the volumes set out in the original term sheet.
The binding contract has a five-year term, with a two-year extension option subject to mutual consent. The initial May 2026 term sheet covered annual deliveries of 500 tonnes of NdPr oxide, alongside potential supply of 7.5 tonnes of dysprosium-terbium oxides.
Situated roughly 135 km from Alice Springs, Nolans is being developed as Australia's first fully integrated ore-to-oxide rare earths operation, comprising a mine, processing and separation facilities and associated supporting infrastructure. Site construction kicked off this month, with first output targeted for mid?2029. Arafura estimates the project could satisfy around 5% of global rare earth demand.
The binding contract has a five-year term, with a two-year extension option subject to mutual consent. The initial May 2026 term sheet covered annual deliveries of 500 tonnes of NdPr oxide, alongside potential supply of 7.5 tonnes of dysprosium-terbium oxides.
Situated roughly 135 km from Alice Springs, Nolans is being developed as Australia's first fully integrated ore-to-oxide rare earths operation, comprising a mine, processing and separation facilities and associated supporting infrastructure. Site construction kicked off this month, with first output targeted for mid?2029. Arafura estimates the project could satisfy around 5% of global rare earth demand.
