Rare Earths Production

Japanese researchers said Thursday they have found a rich deposit of rare earths on the Pacific seabed, with reports suggesting it could be up to 30 times more concentrated than Chinese reserves.

The quest for rare earths vital to some of modern life's most indispensable technologies may see mining robots jet to the stars within decades, a world-first conference in Australia was told Wednesday.

The quest for rare earths vital to some of modern life's most indispensable technologies may see mining robots jet to the stars within decades, a world-first conference in Australia was told Wednesday.

Japan will launch a survey of its Pacific seabed, an official said, hoping to find rare earth deposits large enough to supply its high-tech industries and reduce its dependence on China.

China on Friday announced its export quota for rare earth resources for the first half of next year amid declining prices and weak demand in the global market.

China's largest rare earths producer said Tuesday it would suspend output at some plants for another month, extending a halt started in late October to try and stem falling prices.

Malaysia's Court of Appeal on Wednesday dismissed an appeal against a temporary operating licence for Australian mining company Lynas Corp, despite protests over alleged radioactive hazards.

Australia's Lynas Corp. said Tuesday it would recycle the by-products from its controversial rare earths plant into export goods after host Malaysia ordered the miner to remove its waste from the country.

Australian miner Lynas Corp said it has begun processing rare earths at a controversial new plant in Malaysia after being delayed for more than a year due to public opposition over health fears.

China said Wednesday it would allocate special funds to its rare earths sector to support producers hit by weak prices, but did not give the total amount.

Japan has signed a memorandum of understanding with India to promote joint production of rare earth minerals, a move which will help reduce its reliance on China which controls most of the world's supply.

Australian mining company Lynas Thursday won a court battle allowing it to start production at an $800 million rare earths plant in Malaysia, despite fears by activists of radioactive hazards.

China announced Thursday a trade investigation into European exports of solar-grade polysilicon, escalating a bitter trade row with the EU which has unveiled a similar probe into Chinese products.

A Malaysian court Wednesday ordered a further delay in the opening of an Australian-owned rare earths plant, following protests from residents worried about possible radiation pollution.

A Malaysian court Thursday postponed until next week a hearing on a temporary operating licence granted to Australian miner Lynas Corp for a rare earths plant, an activist said.

Australian miner Lynas on Wednesday said it had secured a temporary operating licence for its delayed $800 million rare earths facility in Malaysia and will begin production in October.

China plans to add 18,000 tonnes of rare earths to its strategic reserves following an agreement with a domestic producer, a state-linked newspaper said Friday.

China announced Wednesday a slight increase in its export quota for rare earth resources, amid falling demand and as the country remains at loggerheads with major trading partners over the limits.

China on Wednesday launched a trading platform for rare earth metals, state media reported, as it moves to boost its pricing power over the strategic resources for which it dominates global production.

The World Trade Organization (WTO) is to investigate China's export restrictions on rare earths, a source close to the organization said on Monday.