Lindian locks in cheap Kazakh acid supply as China export ban looms
Lindian Resources has secured a long-term, low-cost supply of sulphuric acid from Kazakhstan's state-backed Stepnogorsk plant for its Sareco rare earths processing facility, insulating the project from a looming global shortage caused by China's impending export ban. The deal provides Lindian with a significant cost and logistical advantage as global acid prices are expected to surge. This move supports Lindian’s downstream strategy amid advancing construction at its Kangankunde project in Malawi and strong rare earth recovery test results. The company is positioning itself as a resilient player in the critical minerals sector despite market volatility.
- ▪Lindian Resources has secured a domestic sulphuric acid supply from the state-backed Stepnogorsk plant in Kazakhstan for its Sareco rare earths facility.
- ▪The deal comes ahead of China’s expected near-total ban on sulphuric acid exports, which could remove 4.65 million tonnes from global markets.
- ▪Sulphuric acid in Kazakhstan costs between US$100 and US$130 per tonne, significantly cheaper than the A$150 to A$300 rates in other markets.
- ▪Recent tests showed 94% recovery of total rare earth oxides and 97% neodymium-praseodymium recovery using a sulphuric acid leach process.
- ▪Lindian’s Kangankunde project in Malawi is fully funded and under construction, targeting low-cost production of high-grade rare earth concentrate.
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