Lindian Resources Limited said it will acquire 100% of the SARECO Mixed Rare Earths Carbonate hydrometallurgical processing facility in Stepnogorsk, Kazakhstan, increasing its planned ownership from 51% to full control for a US$20 million cash purchase price. The ASX-listed company said the transaction documents, including the Sale and Purchase Agreement, have been executed and due diligence covering technical, legal, tax and environmental matters has been completed. The company described SARECO as the only constructed and operational MREC/CLP processing facility of commercial scale outside of China, MP Materials Inc., Serra Verde and Lynas Rare Earths Ltd. Lindian is targeting MREC processing next quarter in Q4 2026, in line with first production from the Kangankunde Rare Earths Project, and said in-country feedstock sources and stockpiles could accelerate earlier processing. Lindian said the facility has delivered proven metallurgical performance, including 96% overall NdPr recovery from Kangankunde concentrate to MREC, independently validated by ANSTO, and production at SARECO. Full ownership would give the company operational and marketing control over 100% of the facility and its higher-value MREC product, which it said should improve payabilities and strengthen free cashflow exposure through vertical integration. The acquisition also includes additional land, associated assets and two commercial facilities totalling 15,500m2 for further downstream expansion. Lindian said its recent A$100 million institutional capital raising leaves it fully funded to complete the acquisition and advance Kangankunde and SARECO through to first cashflow. It added that building a new CLP would cost more than A$500 million and require multi-year permitting and development, while inbound interest from end users in the United States, France/Europe and Japan underscores demand for diversified and Western rare earth supply chains.