China Signals Further Rare Earth Cuts

Source: The Wall Street Journal, James Areddy (10/19/10)

"Officials say cuts reflect China's growing environmental awareness."

Chinese officials are signaling plans to further reduce rare-earth exports next year, sustaining its controls of the metals—key ingredients in high-technology batteries and defense products—that have already severely frustrated foreign governments.

"Reducing the export quotas is under consideration, but it's too early to talk about any reduction rate," Lin Donglu, secretary general of the Chinese Society of Rare Earths, told Dow Jones Newswires on Tuesday. The state-run English-language China Daily on Tuesday quoted an unnamed Commerce Ministry official suggesting that cuts of as much as 30% from already-trimmed 2010 levels are possible. A Commerce Ministry official declined to confirm the report and the ministry didn't reply to faxed questions Tuesday.

Speaking at a conference on rare-earth elements in southeastern China on Tuesday, Chinese officials, including a Commerce Ministry deputy director, Jiang Fan, highlighted their concern about aggressive development of the country's resources, attendees said. One official there suggested China, by far the world's largest producer and consumer, could even become an importer.

"Their main thrust was China needs to work to protect its rare-earth industry," said Nigel Tunna, managing director of Metals Pages Ltd., host of the conference.

China's decision in recent months to impose tougher quotas on rare-earth metal exports has sparked outcry from Tokyo to Washington.

China, which uses around half of its output of the elements and produces around 97% of world supply, says its limits—which this year aim to cut exports around 40% from 2009—reflect its growing environmental awareness, are perfectly legal and won't be used as a policy tool.

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Source: Streetwise Reports (07/13/2020)

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"China's export quota could be opportunity for Canadian miners"

Latin America: Six Gold Juniors Amass 100M+ Ounces
Source: Marc Davis, BNW News (05/25/2010)

Latin America, the world's last great mineral frontier for prolific gold discoveries, is proving a godsend for some lucky investors.

Mexico: Gold's Next Powerhouse Player
Source: Marc Davis, BNW News (11/03/2009)

As the world's key gold producing nations struggle mostly in vain to replenish dwindling below-ground supplies, Mexico is bucking the trend in a big way.

Where Have All the Gold Mines Gone?
Source: Brent Cook, Exploration Insights (04/14/2009)

Given the declining global gold production, mining companies’ demand for reserve replacement and the acute dearth of new gold discoveries, there is no doubt that real economic discoveries will be exceptionally valuable. . .the opportunity for stellar profits is the best it has probably ever been. Identifying the few successes, however, will require vigilant and constant technical assessment of geology and drill results, always with an eye to mine economics.

Congo Completes Mining Review, Says Majors Quit Talks
Source: Reuters (12/20/2008)

"Review process is extended an additional 45 days to allow six companies to return to the negotiating table for direct talks with government ministers."

I haven’t spoken to my old mining stock friend, noted and universally respected gold stock guru, Bob Bishop, about Rare Element in a year, but I hear he is still a supporter and very large shareholder. I don’t believe he will hold it against me to remind you that this was one of his favorite holdings when he left the newsletter writing business. . .

It's Only the Beginning for Uranium
Source: www.financialinsights.com (06/03/2005)

Dr. Richard S. Appel, author of Financial Insights, first became bullish on uranium in mid-2003, when it appeared obvious that its supply versus demand equation was fated to seriously drive higher its price. Since then, a series of events in the uranium industry has led Appel to believe that uranium prices will reach never before seen levels.

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