The first rare earth element property in Central Europe is being developed by Deutsche Rohstoff AG. The promising deposit will undoubtedly be welcomed by the German industry.
China has announced its export quota for rare earths for the first half of 2012. The quota is the first increase in six years.
USGS geologists were sent into the Helmand Province in southern Afghanistan to look for rare earth elements. The discovery of a potentially massive deposit could prove difficult to extract with Afghanistan's considerably political instability.
One of the best known names in the rare earth market, Molycorp, is stealing the headlines yet again with the announcement of heavy rare earth element (HREE) deposits surrounding the company’s Mt. Pass mine in California. Rare earth analysts are questioning the timing of the announcement amidst falling share prices.
Supplies of rare earth elements are still incredibly tight, helping to maintain the high prices of the metals. It is only August and already one of the biggest REE suppliers in China has stated that the company is going to halt production for the year to comply with the restrictions.
NASDAQ reports that Rare Element Resources Ltd. (TSE:RES) identified high grades of heavy rare-earth elements in the Whitetail Ridge resource area, and the East Taylor and Carbon target areas.
Reuters reports that Minmetals has urged all firms in the rare earth sector to maintain the national output quota by suspending production starting from the beginning of August.
July was an important month for the rare earth market. In perhaps the most significant news of the year, China released the rare earth export quota for the second half of 2011, sending the market into a frenzy yet again. Other top headlines included the continuing rise of rare earth prices, and the alleged Japanese discovery of rare earth deposits on the floor of the Pacific Ocean.
The race is on to find, and bring to production, rare earth mines outside of China, and the competition is being pushed by both governments and companies looking to secure a long-term stable supply of much needed rare earths.
Lighting reported that a discovery of rare earths on the ocean floor could have a positive impact on the lighting industry.
Monday, January 23, 2012