UAF Tapped to Research Rare Earth Minerals
Source: Fairbanks Daily News-Miner  (9/15/12)
"The UAF Minerals Industry Research Laboratory received a $297,000 contract to identify the best techniques for processing rare earth minerals, along with the best ways to handle waste rock." More >

Five Must-Haves for Junior Mining Companies: Aleksandra Bukacheva
Source: Brian Sylvester of The Gold Report  (9/14/12)
Valuation disconnects among producers, rising gold price and juniors facing funding crunches are among the factors fueling a spate of M&A activity. In her first exclusive Gold Report interview, Aleksandra (Sasha) Bukacheva, a mining research analyst with Fraser Mackenzie in Toronto, shares her list of likely targets and suitors in the zinc, copper and precious metals spaces. More >

Vanadium Oxide Bronze: A New Material for the Computing Industry?
Source: R&D Magazine  (9/14/12)
"The reason that these nanowires are so special is that they perform a rare trick: When exposed to an applied voltage near room temperature, the wires transform from insulators that are resistant to carrying electricity to metals that more readily conduct electricity." More >

China's Stockpile Effort Could Stabilize Rare Earth Metals Prices: Brandon Tirpak
Source: Sally Lowder of The Critical Metals Report  (9/11/12)
In the next few weeks, China's government will begin stockpiling roughly ¥6B worth of rare earth elements. Does this mean a price floor is imminent? That's what Asian Metal Analyst Brandon Tirpak expects, noting that price decline rates are already tapering off. In this exclusive interview with The Critical Metals Report, Tirpak shares his first-hand impressions of rare earth projects set to shine as leadership around the globe goes resource shopping. More >

India Boosts Rare Earth Production
Source: Shivom Seth, Mineweb  (9/10/12)
"As China tightens the noose on rare earth exports, India is set to commence operations at its 10 Kt monazite processing plant in the eastern state of Odisha." More >

Korea's KORES Inks Greenland Rare Earth Exploration Deal
Source: Reuters  (9/10/12)
"The deal, signed during a visit to Greenland by South Korean President Lee Myung-bak on Sunday, reflects growing Asian interest in the minerals of the North Atlantic island." More >

Don't Push the Panic Button on Rare Earths: Lisa Reisman
Source: Brian Sylvester of The Critical Metals Report  (9/4/12)
Lisa Reisman describes herself as a "classic libertarian," but the managing editor of MetalMiner.com nonetheless believes government has a role to play in protecting and developing domestic supplies of critical metals. In this exclusive Critical Metals Report interview, Reisman argues for private/public partnerships and explains why today's low prices don't faze her—or surprise her. More >

China's Rare Earth May Become a Bit Less Rare
Source: The Street, Ralph Jennings   (8/31/12)
"The kinder export quota will make little impact over the next two to eight years as offshore competitors—potentially solid investments—have already started to develop better processing technology." More >

Molycorp Announces Start up at First US Heavy Rare Earth Concentrates Facility
Source: Dorothy Kosich, Mineweb  (8/29/12)
"Although China now produces 99% of the world's heavy rare earth supplies, Molycorp's Mountain Pass facility is about to become the first U.S. heavy rare earths concentrate processor." More >

It's Game On for Rare Earths in Greenland: Rick Mills
Source: Sally Lowder of The Critical Metals Report  (8/28/12)
Far from icebound, Greenland is wealthy in rare earth elements, precious metals and oil. Already, says Aheadoftheherd.com owner Rick Mills, companies are beginning to outline major discoveries at just pennies a share. And that's just the tip of the iceberg. Read more in this exclusive interview with The Critical Metals Report. More >

Are the Precious Metals Sending a Signal?
Source: Tracey Ryniec, Zacks Investment Research  (8/28/12)
"The precious metals are moving back into the spotlight. After being left for dead by Wall Street several months ago, gold and silver are at four-month highs." More >

This Rare Earth Junior Is Beginning to Outperform
Source: Jeb Handwerger, Gold Stock Trades  (8/27/12)
"Ucore's use of Solid Phase Extraction technology could mark the first time dysprosium is produced on American soil." More >

Why Graphite Is a Critical Material for the US
Source: MetalMiner, Taras Berezowsky  (8/24/12)
"According to a Canaccord research report, 'annual flake graphite production will have to increase by a factor of six by 2020 to meet incremental lithium carbonate requirements for batteries.'" More >

Final Chinese Rare-Earth Export Quotas for 2012
Source: Gareth Hatch, Resource Investor  (8/24/12)
"Could export quotas be eliminated altogether for Chinese rare earth materials?" More >

China Likely to Boost Rare Earths Imports
Source: Reuters, Fayen Wong  (8/22/12)
"China, the world's largest producer and consumer of rare earths, should boost imports of the materials due to growing demand and to protect domestic resources, the China Daily reported on Wednesday, citing senior industry officials." More >

Big Flakes Finish First in the Graphite Market
Source: JT Long of The Critical Metals Report  (8/21/12)
Flakes are king in the graphite space, where large flake commands a substantial premium. But the path to production can be long and twisted, with many moving parts. Resource and tech investor Ron Struthers met up with The Critical Metals Report and walked us through the funhouse of graphite investment. Read on to find out which companies look good in every mirror. More >

Copper Prices Signaling a Top in the S&P 500
Source: Chris Vermeulen, The Gold and Oil Guy  (8/20/12)
"Recently, copper futures prices have been trading in a relatively tight range, but the longer-term weekly chart demonstrates that a major selloff could transpire." More >

More Rare Earth Players Expected
Source: China Daily, Wang Zhuoqiong  (8/18/12)
"China's preeminent position in rare earths exports is likely to change after a couple of mining operations in the United States and Australia begin to produce the materials next year." More >

Rare Earth Production Lull Hits South China
Source: China Daily  (8/17/12)
"Rare earth production is in the doldrums in many Chinese provinces, including the southern province of Guangdong, which is a major rare earth producer."
More >

Will Your REEs Suffer Molycorp Contagion? Chris Berry Advises Patience
Source: Brian Sylvester of The Critical Metals Report  (8/14/12)
Molycorp's poor performance has impacted the entire rare earth sector. Until the rare earth element "super-cycle" gains steam again, investors need to reset their expectations. In this exclusive Critical Metals Report interview, Chris Berry of House Mountain Partners discusses what really matters in a rare earth element company, and why investors should exercise patience. More >

S&P Downgrades Molycorp on Liquidity Concerns
Source: Dorothy Kosich, Mineweb  (8/14/12)
"Standard & Poor's lowered its ratings on Colorado-based rare earths producer Molycorp from 'B' to 'CCC+' and placed the rating on CreditWatch 'with developing implications.'" More >

China-Malaysia Cooperation at 'Qinzhou Speed'
Source: Rare Metal Blog, Graeme Irvine  (8/13/12)
"'In the future, if I want a project to be finished as fast as possible, I would say to finish it with Qinzhou speed,' said Malaysia's prime minister. Things seem to be happening again in making the joint Chinese-Malaysian Qinzhou Industrial Park a reality." More >

Looming Palladium Shortage May Spark a Price Rally
Source: Dorothy Kosich, Mineweb  (8/13/12)
"HSBC Securities forecasts that the palladium, a critical metal for car production, will move back into a substantial deficit this year based on lower expected exports from Russia." More >

A Specialty Metals Primer: Mickey Fulp
Source: Sally Lowder of The Critical Metals Report  (8/7/12)
You'll never hear Mickey Fulp talk about electric metals, technology metals or rare metals. But he's got plenty to say about specialty metals. While the nomenclature may not seem important, Fulp, who is one of the foremost experts in the space today, believes obscure definitions are confusing investors. In this exclusive interview with The Critical Metals Report, Fulp clears up the confusion and talks about some in-demand elements many investors may have never even heard of. More >

China Cracks Down on Illegal Rare Earth Mining, 50 Arrested
Source: Dorothy Kosich, Mineweb  (8/6/12)
"While China's Guangdong Province is allowed to mine only 2,000 mt of rare earth oxides annually, illegal mining production surpassed 40,000 mt last year." More >