Jamaica rare earths project could pave way to commercial production, govt says

The Jamaican government has launched a pilot rare earths project, which could pave the way to a "significant boost" in export earnings. The US$3mn project involves development of a plant that will be used to extract rare earth elements from the country's red mud, and is being undertaken by Japanese aluminum company Nippon Light Metal, the government's Jamaica Information Service said in a statement. Following construction of the plant, which is expected to take three months, a decision will be made regarding the commercial scope of rare earth elements. Prime Minister Portia Simpson Miller said the project offers an "opportunity to significantly boost export earnings" if proven viable, potentially attracting investors and making Jamaica a "major hub" for exports. Extraction will be conducted by the Jamaica Bauxite Institute in partnership with Nippon, with university scientists also participating. The institute has sampled and analyzed red mud in various locations, executive director Parris Lyew-Ayee said, adding he was "very satisfied" with the results. Jamaica's National Works Agency (NWA) has previously investigated using the red mud generated as a by-product of alumina production in the construction of roads.