Copyright (c) 2012 Alison Withers
The 17 elements known as rare earth metals has increased dramatically in value over recent years as they have become essential ingredients in the manufacture and functioning of both communications and clean energy technologies.
While these elements are not in themselves rare, they are found only as traces in other mined ores and extracting them in sufficient quantities is scientifically complex and therefore hard to make cost effective.
Recently the situation has been compounded because China is the most advanced in mining and extraction of rare earth metals and is responsible for approximately 94% of the world's supply.
The country is wanting to conserve its stocks of rare earth metals to develop its own manufacturing sector into producing the finished products, such as mobile phones, television screens, computer equipment, wind turbines and other items that require them. Therefore it has announced its intention to restrict supply to other countries.
This has affected the USA, Japan and Europe particularly, and they have jointly issued a request for consultation over the Chinese action to the World Trade Organisation for investigation. The initial consultation is expected to last for several weeks as the parties involved make their case.
Then the three complainants will have to decide whether to bring a formal case and the process of judging this and coming to a decision is expected to take at least two years.
Meanwhile manufacturing outside China may face a scarcity of resources and the result has been that a number of mining companies across the world, particularly in the USA and Australia have intensified efforts to extract these elements from the ores they mine as the demand and consequently the value has made it more cost effective to do so.
Another development announced in April 2012 is the Japanese car manufacturer Honda's revelation that it has teamed up with the Japan Metals and Chemicals Company in a project to recycle rare earth elements from the nickel-metal hydride batteries used in hybrid vehicles, the clean energy technology cars whose efficiency in storing electricity depends on their use in the batteries.
More than 80% of the elements are expected to be recovered via the recycling project from the batteries.
The concern is whether these initiatives will make a significant difference in the current problem of adequate supplies of the elements.
It is unlikely that they will have an immediate effect given that the mining companies will have to go through a lengthy process of applying for a variety of permits in order to extract and process the material amid concerns about the effect on the environment.
The Japanese recycling project may relieve the situation somewhat for Honda itself but there has been no indication that the company is likely to have a surplus beyond the needs of its own production process.
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There is a question over how much difference initiatives like recycling of existing supplies and increased extraction of rare earth metals by mining companies will make to China's current near-monopoly over supply. By Ali Withers. http://www.denver-trading.com
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