Iluka Resources will implement a Honeywell-made distributed control system at its Eneabba rare earths refinery, which is scheduled for commissioning in 2027.

The refinery will work with rare earths used in defence, electric vehicles, robotics, sustainable energy and agriculture applications.

Honeywell said in a statement that the refinery would make use of its Experion process knowledge system (PKS), “universal operation controllers (UOC), and advanced remote-control systems.”

This will give Iluka “a fully integrated automation system” for “plant-wide control of its facility”.

The vendor added that the system “will help Iluka minimise incident risks while maximising production uptime” and comes with cyber security protections for the refinery’s operations.

Iluka Resources project director Craig Renner said the refinery “is a significant project that underscores the importance of expanding the critical minerals sector in Australia and diversifying the rare earths supply chain.”

The control system, along with expertise from the vendor, would be used to “increase productivity at the refinery while keeping our most important assets, our workers, safe,” Renner added.