Wyloo Metals is accelerating development of its Yangibana rare earths project in Western Australia, positioning itself at the forefront of global critical-minerals supply as demand intensifies across the US and Europe. The company’s chief executive told Australian Mining that the business is strategically aligned to benefit from the new Australia–US critical minerals partnership, which aims to secure reliable supply chains for high-tech and clean-energy industries.
The Yangibana joint venture (Wyloo 60%, Hastings 40%) recently signed a non-binding Heads of Agreement with Ucore Rare Metals to explore sending rare earth concentrate to the United States for processing. Under this proposed framework, the JV could deliver up to 37,000 tonnes per year of concentrate while also assessing the development of a hydrometallurgical facility in Louisiana—an important step in expanding the North American critical minerals industry.
The chief executive highlighted Yangibana’s near-production status as a key differentiator.
“We have one of the few rare earth mines that can be in production within months, not years,” he said. “In a market where supply is extremely tight, this gives us a unique competitive edge. Rare earth prices haven’t yet reached levels that trigger a wave of new projects, but we’re already positioned at the starting line. It’s incredibly exciting to be part of an immediate, real-world solution.”
Industry experts have repeatedly warned that global supply cannot keep pace with surging demand, especially as rare earths remain among the least geographically diversified of all critical minerals. The International Energy Agency reports that China accounts for a significant share of global rare earth mining output, maintaining heavy dominance in the sector.
This concentration became even more evident when China imposed export restrictions on seven heavy rare earth elements. Automakers across the US and Europe faced major challenges sourcing permanent magnets—essential for electric vehicles and advanced electronics—while prices outside China stayed elevated.
Against this backdrop, Wyloo’s rapid progress has drawn significant attention.
“We’re fortunate to have a project capable of delivering near-term supply,” the chief executive said. “The agreement moves us closer to securing a long-term offtake arrangement for Yangibana concentrate and allows us to pursue downstream US processing opportunities with a well-established North American partner.”
Wyloo says accelerating Yangibana—which has one of the shortest paths to market among Australian rare earths projects—strengthens Australia’s role as a reliable, high-quality provider of critical minerals to global markets. The non-binding agreement is expected to progress toward a definitive arrangement in alignment with Yangibana’s production timeline and broader efforts to streamline supply routes from Australia to North America.
As the world pushes ahead with electrification, renewable energy, and advanced manufacturing, projects like Yangibana are becoming increasingly vital—not only for resource security, but for strengthening resilient, diversified, and sustainable global supply chains.
