Australia's Lindian Resources has reached an agreement with France's Carester to develop an 8,000-tonnes-per-annum rare earth oxide (REO) separation facility in Stepnogorsk, Kazakhstan, and has signed a ten-year offtake agreement for heavy rare earth products. The agreement also includes technology and engineering services, with both parties advancing a Definitive Feasibility Study (DFS) expected to be completed by the end of 2026. Under the offtake terms, Carester can purchase at least 70% of the annual production of separated heavy rare earth compounds (SEGH). The plant is expected to produce separated rare earth oxides, including neodymium and praseodymium, with products primarily destined for Carester's Caremag refinery in France.