RE: Market news25 Jul 2025 10:14
Rainbow Rare Earths (LSE: RBW)
HQ: United Kingdom; Extracting rare earths from waste via “secondary mining.”
Rainbow is a UK-listed rare earth stock with an innovative approach to rare earth mining. Rather than a traditional mine, its flagship Phalaborwa project in South Africa involves extracting rare earths from phosphogypsum tailings (waste) left over by a past phosphoric acid operation. This “secondary mining” approach means no need for drilling or blasting; the material is already above ground in gypsum stacks. The economics look attractive: lower capital and operating costs than typical mines, since costly steps like mining and crushing are bypassed. Rainbow plans to produce separated magnet rare earth oxides (Nd, Pr, Dy, Tb) on site – capturing full value by refining right at Phalaborwa. The company also holds the halted high-grade Gakara deposit in Burundi (currently on hold due to local government issues), but Phalaborwa is its main focus.
If successful, Phalaborwa could have one of the highest operating margins of any rare earth project outside China, thanks to its head start with pre-processed material. Rainbow’s innovative process is promising but relatively unproven at commercial scale – extracting rare earths from phosphogypsum has historically been challenging. The company will need to confirm that its process can be scaled up economically.