Amanda Lacaze re-enters critical minerals game as Vulcan Energy board member
Rare earths and mining veteran Amanda Lacaze has been named non-executive director of Vulcan Energy following her departure from Lynas Rare Earths earlier this year.
Described as one of Australia’s most respected mining and resource executives, the move has been welcomed by Vulcan’s top team, helping to further support the critical minerals pathway of the Lionheart lithium project in Germany.
“Her outstanding track record and recent experience in building and growing western critical raw materials supply chains will be of significant benefit,” Vulcan Energy executive chairman Francis Wedin said in a statement.
“As we advance the construction of our flagship Lionheart lithium project in Germany’s Upper Rhine Valley – a lighthouse critical minerals and energy project for Europe – we look forward to Amanda’s contribution.”
The Lionheart project is set to become Europe’s first integrated, low-carbon lithium supply chain that will help support the reliable supply of battery-quality critical minerals to the continent’s growing demand.
Vast support has already been given to the project, thanks to nearly €204 million ($332.4 million) in public grants and €150 million ($244.5 million) in equity.
The key to the project is a complete supply chain from extraction to refining – all within a 100km radius of the project.
The company relies on proprietary direct lithium extraction technology powered by geothermal energy.
Whilst now a board member of Vulcan, Lacaze is also the chair of the Minerals Council of Australia and is a member of Chief Executive Women.
Lacaze is most known for her leadership of Lynas Rare Earths, in which she guided its transformation from an emerging rare earths producer to a globally significant supplier within the space of 12 years.
“Since leaving Lynas, I’ve had the opportunity to consider a number of Board roles. Vulcan stands apart, with a truly industry-leading technological approach which, when complete, will deliver the world’s first low cost, integrated lithium and geothermal energy production from one source,” Lacaze said.
“I’m really excited to join the Vulcan board, at a time when the Lionheart lithium project has started to progress through construction towards first commercial production.”