(IBTimes) - China has expanded the number of rare earths it
will export to the global market, from 10,546 metric tonnes to
21,226 metric tonnes, the country's Ministry of Commerce (
MOC
) announced on Thursday.
This developed after the Ministry of Environmental Protection
approved the export licences of 12 companies that recently passed
the required environmental tests.
Of the additional 10,680 metric tonnes, 9,490 metric tonnes
were light rare earths, while medium and heavy rare earths were
1,190 metric tonnes, a statement on the MOC Web site said.
China, the world's stronghold of rare earth elements, said in
2011 that Chinese exporters of rare earths elements will be
allowed to sell 10,546 metric tonnes of in the first six months
of 2012, a 27 per cent reduction from the quota set for the first
half of 2011.
Back then, the MOC said the first-round quotas already account
for 80 per cent of the full-year volume for 2012, which included
9,095 metric tonnes of light rare earths and 1,451 metric tonnes
of heavy rare earths.
But the country had implied it is probable to increase its
export quotas on the precious elements pending the approval of
environmental inspections of its other rare earths producers.
However, as early as last year, China had made it clear that
overall export quotas for the whole of 2012 would remain flat
from 2011 to guarantee international market demand and keep rare
earth supplies basically stable.
A group of 17 elements, rare earths
are metals widely used in high-tech products
ranging from flat-screen televisions to lasers and hybrid cars.
Based on earlier calculations by Bloomberg News, China's
full-year quota for 2012 may hit about 31,130 metric tonnes.
Beijing imposed an export quota of 30,184 metric tonnes for
2011 and 30,258 metric tonnes in 2010.
China imposed export limits on its rare earths along with
other mining products such as silver, minor metals and coke to
conserve resources and protect the environment. But this created
tensions between China and its trading partners including the
U.S., the EU and Japan which claimed the world's
second-largest economy practices unfair commerce and currency
policies.
The three economic giants ultimately filed a complaint against
China before the World Trade Organization in March.
Rare earth deposits exist all over the globe but China is so
far the only country that is actively mining and exporting any
significant amounts.
Other rare earths players, such as Australian Lynas Corp. and
American Molycorp have yet to make its first produce.
Earlier this week, China said it intends to merge its various
rare earths producers into one large company and upgrade the
sector within two years.
Read more:
Operating Licence on Lynas Rare Earths Plant in
Malaysia Still Hangs
China Mulls Unifying Its Many Rare Earths
Manufacturers
Rare Earths Miner Molycorp Makes $650 M Debt
Offering to Push Neo Material Takeover Bid
Original Source:
http://www.ibtimes.com/articles/342508/20120517/rare-earths-manufacturing-lynas-corp-molycorp.htm
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