Vietnam Approves Dong Pao Rare-Earth Oxide Pilot Using 100 Tonnes of Ore

Highlights

• Hanoi approved an 18-month semi-industrial pilot under Decision No. 4657/QD-UBND to process 100 tonnes of Dong Pao ore into mixed rare-earth oxide above 95% TREO.
• Mining Technology and Construction Consultancy JSC will operate a 100 kg/hour line using a Vietnamese-patented flotation and hydrometallurgical process.
• The pilot is strictly for technology validation—output cannot be sold—and does not yet demonstrate separation of individual magnet rare earths like neodymium or dysprosium.
• South Korea's KIGAM is separately collaborating with Vietnam on Dong Pao beneficiation and leaching, signaling broader regional supply-chain interest.
• Success at pilot scale could position Dong Pao as a strategic processing node for the US, Europe, Japan, and South Korea seeking alternatives to Chinese supply chains.