ASX:ARU

Arafura Rare Earths Directors Approve Construction of $1.6 Billion Rare Earths Project

Arafura Rare Earths (ASX:ARU) directors made a final investment decision for the Nolans Rare Earths Project in the Northern Territory, Australia.The decision marks the approval of the construction of the rare earths project, set to be Australia's first fully integrated ore-to-oxide rare earths operation, according to a Thursday disclosure to the Australian Securities Exchange.Arafura will then become Australia's third-largest rare earths producer after Lynas Rare Earths (ASX:LYC), the world's largest producer outside of China, and Iluka Resources (ASX:ILU), Reuters reported separately the same day.Arafura Rare Earths' $1.6 billion project will help deliver 4,440 metric tons of neodymium-praseodymium oxide.The project will supply 1,500 tonnes per annum to South Korea's Hyundai Motor( KRX:005380) and Kia (KRX:000270), equivalent to a 42% offtake.Germany's Siemens Gamesa will purchase 520 tonnes per annum, while Traxys in Europe and North America committed to an 800-tonne offtake.Arafura's decision comes after the Australian government committed AU$1.2 billion for its critical minerals strategic reserve, following confirmation from Canberra that the project will be eligible for the reserve, the Trade and Tourism Ministry said the same day.Export Finance Australia has issued a non-binding letter of support for an offtake of up to 500 tonnes per annum, which will be funded through the reserve.The company also signed investment deals with Germany and Australia for AU$230 million, while the Export-Import Bank of the United States is considering up to $300 million of financing support for the project.The project will create 600 construction jobs and 350 ongoing jobs upon the start of operations.Arafura's project comes as the U.S. is looking to reduce dependence on China for rare earths, the Wall Street Journal reported the same day."The world needs critical minerals, Australia has plenty of them, and we're helping workers and businesses make the most of this big opportunity," Treasurer Jim Chalmers said in a statement.