Why is this ASX 200 rare earths miner, up more than 100% for the year, hitting new record highs?

Lynas Rare Earths shares are hitting new records as the company lays out growth plans on several fronts.

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Key points

  • Lynas Rare Earths shares are trading at record highs.
  • The company recently raised $750 million to drive its growth plans.
  • Lynas is one of the few rare earths producers outside of China.

Investors in Lynas Rare Earths Ltd (ASX: LYC) must have been impressed with what they heard at the company's investor briefing this week, as they bid the company's shares up almost 7% to record highs.

Shareholders in the company are sitting on more than 100% gains for the year, with the share price of $16.36 on Tuesday, up 6.9% for the day, well above the 12-month low of $6.16.

And shareholders who took part in the company's $750 million capital raise last month are already sitting on decent gains, with the company issuing the new shares at $13.25.

The company's Chief Executive Officer, Amanda Lacaze, said at the time that the money would be used to help accelerate Lynas' Towards 2030 strategy.

This will help us to optimise our performance from the Lynas 2025 capital investments and provide Lynas with the balance sheet strength to capitalise on strategic opportunities in the rapidly evolving rare earths market and consolidate our market leading position.

Growth top of the agenda

Lynas made a presentation to an investor summit on Monday, which it posted to the ASX.

The presentation said the company was well-placed, with a number of growth projects in the pipeline.

It said it was the world's only producer of separated HRE oxide outside of China, with plans to deliver an expanded product offering.

It also had the world's largest single rare earths separation plant in Malaysia, with an expanded nameplate capacity of 10,500 tonnes per annum.

Growth projects in its Towards 2030 strategy included continued exploration and mine plan optimisation at its Mt Weld mine in Western Australia, the development of value-added specialty rare earths manufacturing capabilities, and a plan to partner with companies with proven expertise in rare earth metal and magnet production.

Director buying in

Also on Tuesday, the company told the ASX that director Vanessa Guthrie had bought another 1740 shares for a total of $24,957.

This brought the total number of shares owned by Ms Guthrie to 16,740.

Lynas posted a full-year profit of $8 million in August, down from a profit of $84.5 million the previous year, on revenue of $556.5 million, up from $463.3 million.

The company posted record production during the June quarter, which Ms Lacaze said provided an "excellent foundation'' for the company's growth plans.

Lynas will hold its annual general meeting in Sydney on November 26.

Motley Fool contributor Cameron England has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool Australia's parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool Australia has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips.

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