Australia's Lynas shares dive 19 pct on rare earths plant delay

MELBOURNE, Oct 11 (Reuters) - Shares in Lynas Corp Ltd

slid 19 percent on Thursday after the company said it would not be able to start production in October at its Malaysian rare earths plant because a court had extended a hold on its operating licence to Nov. 8.

Lynas shares fell to a six-week low of A$0.69 in early trade, reflecting worries that the company will need to raise equity to shore up its funds the longer the delay runs.

(Reporting by Sonali Paul; Editing by Chris Gallagher)

((Sonali.Paul@thomsonreuters.com)(+61 3 9286 1419)(Reuters Messaging: sonali.paul.thomsonreuters.com@reuters.net))

Keywords: LYNAS SHARES/