(IBTimes) - Australia, which has yet to fully develop its rare
earths sector, is eyeing France, the UK and Germany as possible
export targets for its future rare earths and lithium
products.
"Western Australia is well known for its iron-ore and
liquefied natural gas industry. However, there is huge potential
for our rare earths and lithium products and (our) knowledge to
make a real and strategic impact," www.miningweekly.com
quoted Reg Howard-Smith, chief executive of the Western
Australian Chamber of Minerals and Energy (
CME
), as saying.
Howard-Smith is scheduled to go on a 13-day tour of
Germany, France and the UK to promote Australia's rare earths. He
will lead a 17-member delegation that includes industry, research
and government representatives.
The delegation will visit companies involved in electronics,
batteries, product and specialist metals research; automotive and
transport service providers; suppliers of material; as well as
universities and large research entities.
"The ability to process rare earths is key to the development
of the sector and Germany and France are keen to apply their
expertise and technology to this technically challenging field in
association with Australian expertise," he said.
Mr Howard-Smith will be joined by representatives from
Hastings Rare Metals, Galaxy Resources, Northern Minerals, East
Coast Minerals and Greenland Minerals and Energy.
Representatives from the Department of Mines and Petroleum and
Western Australia's Department of State Development, the
Australian National Nuclear Research and Development
Organisation, the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research
Organisation, BASF, Murdoch University, Curtin University and
Austrade are also part of the delegation.
China currently dominates the rare earths sector as it feeds
more than 95 per cent of the world's appetite for the precious
metals often used to manufacture high tech gadgets.
Read more:
China Expands Export Quota of Rare Earths
China Mulls Unifying Its Many Rare Earths
Manufacturers
Original Source:
http://www.ibtimes.com/articles/343750/20120522/france-uk-germany-china-rare-earths-lithium.htm
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