The project in Jianghua county is expected to begin production in February 2020, with estimated output of 1,800 tonnes a year of rare earth oxides.

May's exports fell to 3,640 tonnes from 4,329 tonnes in April, but were not far off the 4,264-tonne monthly average since January 2018.

While Australia-based Lynas cannot match China's rare earth processing capability, it is hoping that its role as the largest rare earth miner and the largest processor outside of China will help it forge new relationships and fuel expansion projects.

Geomega Resources is improving its proprietary ISR technology as it moves closer to being Canada’s first rare earth elements recycler and the only one outside China.

The Commerce Department on Tuesday released a report requested by President Donald Trump in December 2017, when he asked officials to look into U.S. access to so-called rare earths.

Australia's Lynas is waiting to get an operating licence for its Malaysian processing plant renewed before it expires in September.

China’s state planner is closely studying proposals to establish rare-earth export controls.