Tag Archives: Amanda Lacaze

Zenith Energy to help Lynas move to gas-firmed hybrid renewable power station at Mt Weld

Energy minerals, Environmental, Mining services, Power supply for mines, Sustainable mining, , , ,

Zenith Energy says it has signed contracts with Lynas Rare Earths Ltd to design, build, own, operate and maintain a hybrid power station at Lynas’ Mt Weld mine, 35 km southeast of Laverton, Western Australia.

The Mt Weld hybrid power station will include a 24 MW Wind Farm, 7 MW solar PV farm and a 12 MW/12 MWh battery energy storage system (BESS). This renewable facility will be supported by a 17 MW high efficiency gas fired power station, with 5 MW of standby diesel generation, Zenith explained. The total installed capacity of the Mt Weld Power Station upon completion will be approximately 65 MW.

The term of the PPA is 15 years, commencing from commercial operation of the wind farm, which is scheduled to occur in 2026. The diesel and gas facilities are scheduled to be completed in the first half of 2025, with solar and BESS to be installed progressively, and full operation expected in 2026.

The Mt Weld hybrid power station has been designed to run “engine-off” during periods of high renewable energy production and achieve an average annual renewable energy percentage of up to approximately 70%.

Zenith calls itself a leading independent power provider at the forefront of the transition to renewable energy in the mining sector. It is currently contracted to operate 15 separate remote generation power facilities, with a capacity of more than 650 MW across Western Australia and the Northern Territory.

Zenith has already commenced early construction works at the Mt Weld site, having entered into Preliminary and Early Works Agreements with Lynas in 2023.

Zenith CEO and Managing Director, Hamish Moffat, said: “As a leading provider of sustainable energy solutions to the Australian resources market, Zenith is pleased to be working with Lynas, the world’s only significant producer of separated rare earth materials outside of China, on the high renewable energy fraction hybrid power solution to their Mt Weld operations. The signing of the Mt Weld hybrid power station PPA represents a significant milestone for Zenith Energy, with our contracted wind capacity now exceeding 100 MW. Zenith look forward to enabling Lynas to deliver on their productivity and decarbonisation objectives.”.

Lynas CEO and Managing Director, Amanda Lacaze, added: “Lynas produces materials used in the manufacture of 21st Century technologies and we look forward to working with Zenith Energy as it delivers a 21st Century power solution for Mt Weld. As part of our commitment to reducing GHG emissions and progressively transitioning to cleaner energy sources, the existing Mt Weld diesel power plant will be decommissioned as soon as the thermal (gas) power station is completed. Moving away from the legacy diesel power plant to a gas-firmed hybrid renewable power station is a significant step in our GHG emissions reduction plan. Pleasingly, our commitment to renewable energy sources also offers a lower unit cost of power compared to a thermal-only power solution.”

Lynas Rare Earths to switch to continuous mining mode at Mt Weld with help of Carey Group

Energy minerals, Mine operation news, Mining services, , , , , , ,

Lynas Rare Earths Ltd has awarded Western Australia-based company Carey Group Holdings a five-year contract for mining services at Lynas’ Mt Weld rare earths mine near Laverton.

The contract will draw on Carey’s nearly 30 years of experience as an open-pit mining contractor and leading 100% First Nations-owned business, including as a service provider to neighbouring mines near Laverton.

Carey will commence on site at the high-grade Mt Weld mine in April 2024. On commencement of the contract, Lynas will transition from campaign mining to continuous mining over the five-year period to supply ores to the expanded Mt Weld process plant.

Under the contract, Carey will mobilise a mining fleet comprising production drilling, excavation, hauling and auxiliary equipment. Carey will provide new haul trucks as part of the contract, with a focus on technologies designed to improve efficiency, productivity and precision for extracting ores, Lynas says.

A signing ceremony for the contract with Carey was held in Perth today and Amanda Lacaze, CEO & Managing Director, Lynas Rare Earths (pictured on the left), said: “Lynas is delighted to award the Mt Weld mining contract to Carey. Carey has almost 30 years of experience working with open-pit mine environments and is a leading contractor in its field. Significantly for Lynas, Carey’s founder and Managing Director, Daniel Tucker AM, grew up in the Laverton area. Daniel and his team have a strong connection to country and this is evident in their approach to sustainability and to providing opportunities for First Nations people to build and develop skills and expertise.

“We share Carey’s values and commitment to providing career opportunities and skills development for First Nations people. We look forward to working with Carey as we continue to enhance our operations, safety and sustainability through this contract.”

Tucker (pictured on the right) said: “We are immensely pleased for the opportunity to work with a global leader such as Lynas, and grateful to receive this contract award which continues to build on our history of the delivery of contract mining services in the Goldfields.

“As a leader of First Nations business in Australia, this long-term contract will allow us to deliver value for Lynas, Carey, other First Nations businesses and local supply chain partners. I look forward to a successful
partnership with Lynas.”

Metso Outotec to supply rotary kiln system for Lynas rare earth plant in Kalgoorlie

Comminution of minerals, Energy minerals, Mine operation news, Mineral processing, Mining equipment, Mining project news, Mining services, , , , , , , ,

Lynas Corp says it has taken a significant step towards developing its new Kalgoorlie rare earths processing plant having awarded Metso Outotec with a contract to supply the plant’s rotary kiln system following a competitive tender process.

The 110 m long, 1,500 t kiln is the largest and longest lead time piece of equipment required for the plant’s operation, according to Lynas.

The contract for engineering and supply of the kiln is valued at around $15 million, including the discharge housing, combustion chamber and burner, motor control stations and delivery to Kalgoorlie.

The kiln will be manufactured by Metso Outotec to Lynas’ own design, which improves on the design of the four 60 m kilns currently in operation at the Lynas Malaysia plant, the company says. The new kiln will provide increased efficiency and reliability, it added.

Lynas CEO and Managing Director, Amanda Lacaze, said: “The kiln is the longest lead time item for our Kalgoorlie project and placing this order is an important milestone in the development of our new processing plant in Kalgoorlie. We are making good progress on the project, and we look forward to working with Metso Outotec on the engineering and supply of the kiln.”

Stephan Kirsch, President Minerals business area, Metso Outotec, said: “We are excited having been selected by Lynas as a key supplier for the development of its significant greenfield project in Western Australia. The Metso rotary kiln system forms an integral part for the processing of rare earths.”

Metso Outotec will commence work on the kiln immediately, with components to be manufactured in Australia as well as in European countries, Lynas said.

The plant will process concentrate from the Mt Weld mine (pictured), also in Western Australia’s Goldfields region, and provide an intermediate feed for further processing to produce neodymium and praseodymium, which are key elements used in high-tech consumer electronics and green energy technologies. Concentrate is currently exported to the Lynas rare earth processing facility in Malaysia.