Lynas chief Nick Curtis will step down at the end of the month, making way for current COO Eric Noyrez, who joined the company in 2010.
“Eric has detailed knowledge of the international rare earths and chemical industries,” Curtis said in a statement. “Eric’s experience makes him uniquely positioned to lead Lynas towards becoming a global leader of the rare earths business.”
China produces most of the world’s rare earth metals. Lynas aims to upset this by producing rare earth materials in Malaysia. Its plant in Malaysia became operational last December, after being halted by legal action launched by environmental activists.
Curtis will remain on Lynas’ board as a non-executive chairman. He has been the Lynas CEO since 2001.
Myriam Robin is a reporter for SmartCompany and its sister site LeadingCompany. She has degrees in economics, international studies and journalism. She likes writing about businesses taking risks and doing new things.
