Shares in rare earths miner Lynas have tumbled after its half year loss widened.

Rare earth minerals are used in a range of hi-tech products, including telescopes, X-ray and MRI scanning devices.

The company made a net loss of $59.3 million in the last six months of 2013, down from a $56.6 million loss during the same period a year earlier.

Its revenue rose to $14.6 million from zero in the prior period, but expenses increased by 31 per cent to $7.5 million.

Higher costs associated with its Malaysian rare earth minerals refinery, the Lynas Advanced Materials Plant, played a big part in the company’s poor earnings report.

Lynas had planned to start production at its Malaysian plant in 2011 when rare earth prices were booming but fierce opposition from local villagers and court battles caused major delays.

Costs associated with the ramp-up of the plant in January have weighed on the company’s result with non-cash depreciation and amortisation charges in the half year rising by $8.5 million, a statement from Lynas said.

The miner says it’ll need to raise more cash either through an equity issue or more debt or a restructure of its debt facilities in the next year.

Lynas shares dropped 2.5 cents, or 8.5 per cent, to 27 cents.