Bayan Mining has partnered with The University of Queensland to push forward its patented yttrium processing technology, aiming to validate and optimise the process using Australian rare earth feedstocks and support pilot-scale development.
- Research agreement to advance patented yttrium processing
- Focus on Australian rare earth feedstocks from Mary Kathleen tailings
- Three-month Phase 1 program to generate pilot-scale data
- Collaboration leverages UQ’s hydrometallurgy expertise
- Yttrium prices surge following China’s export controls
Strategic Collaboration Targets Yttrium Processing Innovation
Bayan Mining and Minerals Ltd (ASX:BMM) has taken a significant step in rare earths technology by signing a research agreement with The University of Queensland (UQ) to advance its exclusively licensed Yttrium Upgrade Processing Technology Patent. Originally developed at the Colorado School of Mines, this patented ion-exchange process aims to selectively upgrade yttrium in mixed rare earth streams, a critical move given yttrium’s strategic importance in defence and high-tech applications.
The initial three-month Phase 1 program will test and optimise the technology using Australian rare earth feedstocks, particularly intermediate precipitates derived from UQ’s work on recovering rare earth elements from the Mary Kathleen uranium tailings near Mount Isa, Queensland. Bayan will fund this phase with a cash payment of $70,275 to UQ.
Innovative Ion-Exchange Approach Could Shift Processing Paradigms
The Yttrium Upgrade Patent employs a counter-intuitive “selective exclusion” method rather than traditional selective retention. By preventing certain rare earth elements from being captured on the iminodiacetic acid (IDA) functionalised resin, the process promises to reduce reagent use, minimise column fouling, simplify elution, and increase yttrium purity with fewer steps. This could offer economic advantages when scaled commercially and allows for tailored rare earth blends sought by defence and advanced manufacturing sectors.
The Phase 1 research will also compare two IDA resin types; Amberlite IRC748I used in the original patent work and an alternative from Lanxess; to evaluate their yttrium selectivity and resin performance under process-representative conditions. This resin comparison follows UQ’s observations that selectivity can vary materially between resin products, opening avenues for process optimisation.
University Expertise and Rare Earth Feedstock Integration
The program is led by Professor James Vaughan and UQ’s Hydrometallurgy Research Group, known for its expertise in ion exchange and critical minerals processing. UQ’s 70-year legacy in metallurgy and minerals processing underpins the research, which is well-positioned to validate and extend laboratory results to practical applications.
Rare earth feedstock for the program will come from Mary Kathleen uranium tailings, a site recognised for high total rare earth element concentrations and currently under resource assessment by the Queensland Government. This Australian-sourced feedstock aligns with Bayan’s strategy to develop western-aligned yttrium processing pathways, reducing reliance on dominant foreign suppliers.
Yttrium’s Rising Strategic and Market Importance
Yttrium is a critical heavy rare earth element used in military and aerospace technologies such as YAG lasers, thermal barrier coatings, and specialised ceramics. The US Geological Survey notes that nearly all US imports of yttrium metal and compounds come from offshore sources, with China supplying about 70% of these imports.
Following China’s export licensing controls on heavy rare earths in April 2025, yttrium oxide prices outside China have skyrocketed; reaching nearly US$1,100 per kilogram by May 2026, a more than 140-fold increase over domestic Chinese prices. This price surge highlights the strategic urgency for alternative supply chains and processing technologies, which Bayan’s collaboration with UQ aims to address.
Next Steps Toward Pilot-Scale Development
Following the Phase 1 trials, Bayan plans to integrate test results into a conceptual flowsheet and preliminary design criteria for a pilot-scale circuit. This will include identifying key operating parameters, scale-up risks, and data gaps to guide future work programs. The company will update the market on progress and subsequent phases after completing the initial research.
CEO Nathan Kong emphasised the strategic fit of the partnership: “This collaboration brings together Bayan’s patented ion-exchange approach with UQ’s world-class hydrometallurgy capability and the unique Mary Kathleen tailings resource. As governments and industry focus on securing resilient critical mineral supply chains, technologies improving the upgrading of strategic rare earths like yttrium are gaining attention.”
Bottom Line?
Bayan’s partnership with UQ marks a crucial step in validating and scaling yttrium processing technology amid soaring prices and supply risks, but commercial viability remains to be proven.
Questions in the middle?
- Will Phase 1 research confirm the selective exclusion method’s scalability and efficiency?
- How might resin selection impact the economics and purity of yttrium production at scale?
- Could this technology position Bayan as a key player in western-aligned rare earth supply chains?