Lindian and Carester Plan Stepnogorsk Rare-Earth Plant
Lindian Resources and Carester have agreed to advance an 8,000-ton annual separation facility in Kazakhstan, backed by a 10-year offtake deal and a feasibility study due in late 2026.
Australian critical minerals company Lindian Resources has secured a strategic partnership with French rare-earth specialist Carester to develop a solvent extraction plant in Stepnogorsk, Kazakhstan. The proposed facility, designed for an annual capacity of 8,000 tons, will focus on separating rare-earth oxides from mixed concentrate, marking a significant expansion of Lindian’s downstream processing capabilities in the region.
Under the agreement, Carester and engineering firm Tetra Tech Coffey will conduct a definitive feasibility study, with completion targeted for the fourth quarter of 2026. The project will leverage Lindian’s existing SARECO mixed rare-earth concentrate processing infrastructure, utilizing current power, gas, and rail networks to reduce operational costs and accelerate development timelines.
Production Focus on Key Oxides
The Stepnogorsk facility is engineered to produce separated rare-earth oxides, specifically targeting neodymium and praseodymium. It will also generate a mixed heavy rare-earth compound containing dysprosium, terbium, and yttrium. These outputs are critical for high-performance magnets and industrial applications, allowing Lindian to capture higher value margins compared to selling raw concentrate.
Carester will supply the process technology and engineering services required for the expansion. The company will also review the existing SARECO facility to identify opportunities for optimization and upgrades. This integration allows Lindian to maintain control over its primary feed source while outsourcing specialized separation technology to a global partner with established expertise in rare-earth processing.
Binding Offtake Agreement Secures Revenue
The commercial framework includes a binding 10-year offtake arrangement, with options for two additional five-year extensions. Carester has committed to purchasing 70% of the solvent extraction heavy product (SEGH) output. Furthermore, Carester holds a right of first refusal over 70% of the mixed heavy rare-earth carbonate produced at the SARECO site, ensuring a stable revenue stream for Lindian.
This long-term contract mitigates market volatility risks for Lindian by locking in a major buyer for the bulk of its high-value product. The agreement also facilitates the integration of third-party mixed rare-earth concentrate into the processing chain, provided it is compatible with the SARECO product liquor solution. Lindian is currently evaluating additional local feed sources in Kazakhstan to maximize facility utilization.
Integrated Supply Chain Strategy
The Stepnogorsk project forms part of Lindian’s broader integrated strategy, linking its Kangankunde rare-earths project in Malawi with downstream processing in Kazakhstan. Lindian plans to produce monazite concentrate in Malawi, which will then be processed into value-added oxides in Stepnogorsk. This geographic diversification aims to reduce logistics risks and create a resilient supply chain for critical minerals.
Carester will direct the heavy rare-earth products to its Caremag refinery in Lacq, France, which is being developed in partnership with JOGMEC and Iwatani Corporation. This collaboration ensures that Lindian’s output feeds directly into established European refining infrastructure, enhancing the marketability of the final products. The definitive feasibility study will finalize the economic parameters and technical specifications for the project.
