澳企放话打破中国稀土垄断，掌握分离技术，加工成本暴露真正底细

Core Viewpoint - The announcement by Lynas, an Australian company, claiming to have mastered rare earth separation technology, raises questions about China's dominance in the rare earth industry and its ability to use rare earths as a leverage tool in international trade [1][3]. Group 1: Lynas's Claims and Market Impact - Lynas's assertion of achieving heavy rare earth separation technology is seen as an attempt to attract global attention, especially as China tightens its export policies [3][5]. - The production capacity of Lynas's Malaysian plant for heavy rare earths is only 1,500 tons per year, which pales in comparison to China's total production capabilities, estimated to be over twenty times greater [5][7]. - The U.S. military's reliance on Chinese materials for critical components highlights the challenges Lynas faces in meeting Western market demands [7][14]. Group 2: Cost and Efficiency Disadvantages - China's advanced extraction techniques, such as the cascade extraction method developed in the 1970s, yield a purity of 99.9999%, significantly outperforming Lynas's methods [5][8]. - The cost of producing light rare earth oxides in China ranges from $4 to $7 per kilogram, while Lynas incurs costs of $10 to $15 per kilogram due to logistical challenges and operational inefficiencies [8][10]. - The entire processing timeline for Lynas, involving transport from Australia to Malaysia and potentially to the U.S., takes about three months, compared to China's 15-day turnaround for similar processes [10][12]. Group 3: Strategic Moves by China - China has implemented export controls on various metals and rare earth products, indicating a strategic approach to maintain its competitive edge in the global market [21][23]. - The Chinese government has classified rare earth separation technology as restricted for export since 2019, making it difficult for Western countries to replicate the entire rare earth supply chain without Chinese support [23][25]. - Continuous investment in technology and industry upgrades by China aims to strengthen its position in the rare earth market, making it challenging for competitors to catch up [23][25].