Chile's Codelco is in the midst of upgrading its smelter at Chuquicamata, its second largest operation by size, to comply with stricter emissions standards coming in effect in December.
Deputy Minister Fuziah Salleh, a long-standing critic of Lynas’ plant, offered to step down from the committee reviewing the facility following criticism that she would not be impartial.
The US imposed the tariffs on Canada and Mexico in June. Although Canada and Mexico agreed a renewed continental trade deal last week, the measures remain.