(Corrects Lynas' Reuters Instrument Code in paragraph 1)
MELBOURNE, Aug 26 (Reuters) - Australia's Lynas Rare Earths
The comments came after the world's biggest producer of rare earths outside China reported a sharp rise in annual profit, helped by record average selling prices for rare-earth oxide
and strong demand, but missed market expectations. Its shares fell as much as 8%.
Interim CEO Pol Le Roux said Lynas is in talks with project developers of ionic clay deposits around the world for new supply and expects to announce new deals soon. He did not say whether that would involve buying material or acquiring ionic clay businesses.
"I think they held the door ajar and they're considering all of that," said Barrenjoey analyst Daniel Morgan.
Le Roux also said Lynas was in early-stage talks with various parties to develop a magnet-making facility in the U.S.
"But we are on track on that development and more development is to come," he said on an earnings call.
The U.S., Europe and their allies are racing to build supply chains to reduce their dependence on China, which accounts for some 90% of global production of rare earth products, including magnets used in the aerospace, automotive and defence industries.
A one-year suspension on export controls announced by China on several medium and heavy rare earth products expires in November.
SOARING PROFIT MISSES FORECASTS
Lynas posted a net profit after tax of A$222.4 million ($159.37 million) for the year ended June 30, up from A$8 million a year ago. That missed a Visible Alpha consensus estimate of A$242.5 million.
It flagged operational challenges tied to ore quality at its Mt Weld mine in Australia, as well as rising costs. However it said it has resolved quality issues at its Kalgoorlie plant.
"They have fixed a whole bunch of problems. It's nice to know they have found better operational stability," Morgan added.
The earnings surge was driven by firm prices and floor price agreements with both Japanese and U.S. customers, which helped reduce volatility, Lynas said.
Its average selling price rose 59% to A$80.7 per kilogram, helped by improved pricing of neodymium-praseodymium, a key rare‑earth magnet material, and a higher share of heavy rare-earth sales and sales with pricing not linked to the market index.
Customers continued to prioritise sustainable rare-earth supply chains outside China amid export restrictions, while strong demand lifted sales volumes, it said.
The company is searching for a new CEO, following the retirement of Amanda Lacaze.
($1 = 1.3955 Australian dollars)
(Reporting by Melanie Burton in Melbourne; Additional reporting by Anjali Singh and Keshav Singh Chundawat in Bengaluru; Editing by Subhranshu Sahu and Sonali Paul)
