POSCO International Expands Malaysia Rare Earth Strategy as Perak Emerges as Strategic Heavy Rare Earth Hub

Highlights

• POSCO International is deepening ties with Malaysia's Perak state over ion-adsorption clay deposits rich in heavy rare earth elements like dysprosium and terbium.
• POSCO plans a $30 million Malaysian refining venture targeting 4,500 tonnes annually from Southeast Asia, valued at an estimated $230 million.
• France's Carester and Malaco Mining are also planning a Perak separation facility, signaling broader non-Chinese processing ambitions in Malaysia.
• Investors should distinguish exploratory diplomatic discussions from confirmed commercial production, as Perak's projects remain unverified at scale.