Sojitz Targets Malaysian-Refined Yttrium for Japan?but is the Ore Is Still Australian?

Highlights

• Sojitz expects yttrium supply from Lynas's Malaysian heavy-rare-earth separation facility starting in the second half of 2027.
• The supply chain runs Australian ore from Mt Weld through Lynas's Gebeng refinery in Malaysia before reaching Japan—not mined in Malaysia.
• Malaysia may have significant ionic-clay rare earth resources, but no confirmed contract links Sojitz to Malaysian-mined yttrium feed.
• Japan remains strategically exposed to concentrated rare-earth refining, making Lynas's non-Chinese separation capacity especially valuable.
• Southern Alliance Mining's MCRE mine ranks 5th globally in REEx heavy rare earth ex-China rankings, but its yttrium link to Sojitz is unconfirmed.