Australia's Lynas Rare Earths says demand is strong as revenue jumps

By Melanie Burton MELBOURNE (Reuters) -First-quarter revenue at Australia's Lynas Rare Earths rose by 66% from a year earlier, the company said on Thursday, but missed market expectations, though it flagged strong demand from existing and emerging customers for strategic metals. Governments outside dominant rare earths producer China have been scrambling to develop an alternative supply pipeline for industries including automotive and defence as China has stepped up export restrictions linked to the sector. Lynas, the world's largest producer of rare earths outside China, is leaning into the push by expanding its customer base, and negotiating for higher prices, as it ramps up production including that of the most valuable heavy rare earths. Lynas posted sales revenue of A$200.2 million ($