Why China Cut Rare Earth Mining ...

[verrip1]

According to yesterday's Financial Times, it's because they created new laws to protect the environment.



Oh, geez, yer killin' me, just killin' me!!

Protect the environment my ass. They're just driving up the prices and hoping to create a mini-panic in the RE markets, all to their financial benefit.

In reality, the China 'corner' on the market is a fantasy. REs just haven't been explored much around the world until the last few years. I've read about exploration in Australia and Canada, and a formerly closed RE mining operation in California is being re-opened.

But that's not to say that there won't be an economic result of China's announcement. Perhaps we should declare mandatory water rationing for Midwest corn and soybeans to see how the Chinese like them apples.

[The Virginian]

But that's not to say that there won't be an economic result of China's announcement. Perhaps we should declare mandatory water rationing for Midwest corn and soybeans to see how the Chinese like them apples

It could help my water ultility stock also!

[verrip1]

PHO is more than a Vietnamese soup. ;D

[jarhead1976]

China has 95 % of the world REM! Thats a big bat to swing. With the US holding only 13,000,000 million metric tonnes in reserve vs chinas 55,000,000. prices will be going sky high for high tech and military expendetures.

[verrip1]

Jar, that's because people haven't been exploring for them until recently. The world's supply of RE is largely unknown. They are starting to be found lots of places. In the explorations to be made even over the next 5 years, the landscape will change dramatically.

But we always have to account for the purely human factor. Greed buying. Tulipomanias keep happening. The Chinese would be more than happy to accommodate all greed buyers.

[verrip1]

Your math seems wrong. If the US has 13 M and China 55 M, that's not 95%.

[verrip1]

That's a step up for me, Frank. I'm usually called half wit. ;D

[jarhead1976]

My respects V , It should have read "China controls no less than 95 per cent of the global production of rare earth."

[Aman A.K.A. Ahamburger]

Lets not forget about the reserves in Afghanistan.

Mongolia has lots..

First Mongolian rare earth shipment to be sold to S Korea
english.peopledaily.com.cn/90001/90778/90860/7355168.html

According to a 2009 estimation by the U.S. Geological Survey, Mongolia has 31 million tons of rare earth reserves, or 16.77 percent of the total global reserves, making it the second biggest holder in the world after China.

The new discoveries that Vman is talking about...

Scientists have hailed a giant discovery that could end China's grasp on 97pc of the world's rare earth minerals - but unfortunately the vast new deposits are at the bottom of the Pacific Ocean.
www.telegraph.co.uk/finance/commodities/8616623/Rare-earth-minerals-find-in-Pacific-could-spark-Japan-Hawaii-stand-off.html

Explorers from Japan claim to have found more than 100bn tonnes of rare earth minerals

Neb. mine find to challenge China’s dominance of vital rare minerals
www.washingtontimes.com/news/2011/aug/2/rush-for-rare-earth-may-create-nebraska-boomtown/?page=all

Quebec firm makes 'big' rare earth find in north
www.montrealgazette.com/Quebec+firm+makes+rare+earth+find+north/5215186/story.html

However, the story of China's stranglehold is selling like hortcakes. China will help keep 'em hot for sure!!