The Rare Earths MMI (Monthly MetalMiner Index for rare earth metals) extended its decline in July, dropping another 2.8%. This is a significant move for rare earths prices, and reinforces the subtle downtrend that began back in April. Now more than ever, countries are frantically searching for ways to separate their rare earths supply from […]
Tag: rare earths
Rare Earths MMI: US and China Feud Over Rare Earth Prices
Over the past month in, the Rare Earths MMI (Metal Miner Index) slightly dropped by 0.64%.Over the past few decades, the US-China relationship has evolved into more of a rivalry than anything else. This has left the United States eager to decouple from China on several critical issues. One such issue is the supply of […]
Rare Earths MMI: Rare Earths Prices Hold Steady Despite Amid Lower Scrap Availability
The Rare Earths Monthly Metals Index (MMI) held flat for a .56 percent change this month. Even so, some rare earths prices have seen significant fluctuation. Praseodymium Neodymium Oxide is one such example. The allow saw a significant price increase over the past month. Check out the MetalMiner forecast track record. By correctly calling the trends MetalMiner […]
Rare Earth Elements About to Get Even Rarer
There’s something afoot on the rare earths front in China. Specifically, the country recently decided that it wants to tighten its export control laws. The regulation passed about two years ago to stop importing countries from diverting “Chinese products for non-intended use.” In most cases, the “products” refer to rare earth elements, of which China […]
Rare Earths MMI: Iluka rare earths refinery to produce neodymium, dysprosium, other REOs
The Rare Earths Monthly Metals Index (MMI) fell 11.3% for this month’s reading. Keep an eye out for the full MMI report download later this week. Iluka approves new refinery Australian firm Iluka Resources this week announced it had approved a fully integrated refinery for rare earth oxides. The refinery will be at Eneabba, Western […]
Rare Earth Metals MMI: Dramatic price increases last seen in 2012
The Rare Earth Metals Index (MMI) rose by over 17% month over month. MetalMiner launched the entire MMI series in January, 2012. At that time, all of the rare earth metals began with an index reading of 100. By June of 2013, the rare earth metals MMI plummeted to 29 and reached a low in […]
China’s land and expand plan to source critical metals and materials globally
In 1953, China spelled out its 1st “Five-Year Plan”. The strategy involved maximizing the nation’s control over exploration, production, and exports of natural resources. Based upon all available indicators, the country seems to have succeeded in “extending” that plan around the globe. News out of China earlier this week confirmed this fact. Ecuadorean President Guillermo […]
China raises rare earth production quotas to record levels as prices surge
China has previously been cast in a sinister role with respect to restricting the production and export of critical rare earth metals, usually salts, used to produce a host of products. Those products include magnets for consumers electronics and electric cars, defense equipment and advanced ceramics. But while the country deliberately created a near monopoly […]
This Morning in Metals: Alcoa announces restart of aluminum smelter idled since 2015
This morning in metals news: Alcoa said it plans to restart its Alumar aluminum smelter in Brazil; meanwhile, the Energy Information Administration forecasts hydropower generation will fall by 14% this year; and, lastly, European automakers are looking to bypass China in their rare earths supply chains. Are you under pressure to generate aluminum cost savings? […]
What’s next for Afghanistan’s vast rare earths supply after US pullout?
While the world looks on with growing concern at the political play unfolding in Afghanistan with the takeover of the Taliban, another sidebar to this developing story that is slowly creeping into public consciousness is the vast treasure-trove of minerals in that country, and how the Taliban government will exploit it. One estimate by the […]
