Phalaborwa resource update to include yttrium further enhances the value of Rainbow’s proposed SEG+ mixed medium and heavy rare earth product

The decision to update the MRE has been driven by Rainbow’s test work which has demonstrated that Phalaborwa will produce the full range of critical medium and heavy rare earths in its proposed SEG+ product. The company has noted a significant pick-up in demand for yttrium and gadolinium since the export controls were imposed, based on incoming off-take enquiries.

George Bennett, CEO, commented: “Since the imposition of export controls by China in April 2025, we have seen growing interest in securing supply of the full range of restricted REE, where shortages have already developed in the market. This includes yttrium and gadolinium, which are increasingly recognised as key REE required by the U.S. and other aligned nations for important strategic uses, including for defence applications.

"Phalaborwa is a unique project in that it hosts commercial quantities of the full gamut of economically important rare earths, including the medium and heavy REE. We will therefore look to incorporate the value of the full range of strategic REE into our economic model for the project as part of the DFS.”

Read the article online at: https://www.globalminingreview.com/exploration-development/11112025/phalaborwa-resource-update-to-include-yttrium-further-enhances-the-value-of-rainbows-proposed-seg-mixed-medium-and-heavy-rare-earth-product/