Lynas Rare Earths is confronting significant operational challenges as persistent electricity supply issues at its Kalgoorlie facility have triggered substantial production shortfalls. The rare earths specialist confirmed this week that power disruptions have effectively wiped out one month’s worth of mixed rare earth carbonate (MREC) production for the current December quarter.
Operational Chain Reaction Unfolds
The production bottleneck at the Australian site has created a domino effect across Lynas’s operations. With raw material shipments interrupted, processing activities at the company’s Malaysian facility are now experiencing delays. Compounding the situation, scheduled maintenance on furnace equipment in Malaysia is further straining the company’s logistical capabilities.
Management is working intensively with local authorities and power providers to implement solutions, including exploring independent energy sources. However, the damage to the current quarter’s output appears already cemented.
Shareholder Confidence Defies Operational Setbacks
Despite these operational headwinds, investor sentiment displayed remarkable resilience during yesterday’s annual general meeting in Sydney. Shareholders demonstrated strong support for leadership, prioritizing the strategic value of non-Chinese rare earth supply chains over immediate production challenges.
Should investors sell immediately? Or is it worth buying Lynas?
Key voting outcomes included:
* Overwhelming approval of the remuneration report with 99.20% support
* Strong endorsement of CEO Amanda Lacaze’s incentive package, receiving 99.65% backing
* Strategic pivot from the “Lynas 2025” expansion phase to the “Towards 2030” growth framework
Financial Pressure Mounts During Transition
The company navigates a delicate transitional period marked by substantial capital expenditures for capacity expansion, volatile commodity pricing, and now infrastructure reliability concerns. These factors have contributed to share price weakness, with the stock currently trading around €8.25—approximately 40% below its 52-week peak.
Market attention now focuses squarely on the quarterly report scheduled for January 2026. Investors will closely monitor whether the power supply issues represent temporary startup challenges at newer facilities or evolve into persistent operational constraints. Failure to rapidly stabilize energy supply could undermine confidence in the company’s ambitious targets for fiscal year 2026.
Ad
Lynas Stock: Buy or Sell?! New Lynas Analysis from January 12 delivers the answer:
The latest Lynas figures speak for themselves: Urgent action needed for Lynas investors. Is it worth buying or should you sell? Find out what to do now in the current free analysis from January 12.
Lynas: Buy or sell? Read more here...
