WA rare earths refinery signs process control deal with Honeywell

Honeywell has announced that its Integrated Controls and Safety System (ICSS) will be designed and implemented at the Iluka Resources (Iluka) Eneabba rare earths refinery in Western Australia to help improve production efficiency and create a safer environment for its workers. Through a strategic partnership between the Australian Government and Iluka, the refinery will be the first fully integrated rare earths refinery in Australia.

Honeywell’s automation and safety controls implemented by Iluka will include Honeywell Experion PKS, Universal Operation Controllers (UOC) and advanced remote-control systems. The company says that with the implementation of the Experion distributed control system, Iluka will have plant-wide control of its facility with a fully integrated automation system. Honeywell will alos provide safety systems and enhanced cybersecurity features to protect operations both onsite and in the cloud.

“The Eneabba rare earths refinery is a significant project that underscores the importance of expanding the critical minerals sector in Australia and diversifying the rare earths supply chain,” said Craig Renner, Project Director at Iluka Resources. “As a partner in this endeavour, Honeywell brings decades of automation domain expertise to increase productivity at the refinery while keeping our most important assets — our workers — safe.”

Iluka’s refinery, which has a capital cost of $1.7–1.8 billion, will produce up to 6250 tonnes annually of separated neodymium, praseodymium, dysprosium and terbium oxides — globally significant volumes that are essential for electrification and the enhancement of Australia’s domestic supply chain.

“Our partnership with Iluka demonstrates how automation is a key driver of the global energy transition supply chain,” said Pramesh Maheshwari, President of Honeywell Process Solutions. “With Honeywell’s extensive expertise in automation, Iluka will be equipped with the necessary tools to enhance the safety and efficiency of its operations, which are vital for supporting a more sustainable future.”

Iluka’s Eneabba refinery is expected to be commissioned in 2027.

Image: Supplied.