EU and China Race to Greenland's Rare Earths Gold Rush
Source: AFP  (8/6/12)
"The E.U. commissioner approached Greenland for exploitation rights to rare earth metal ores in return for technological and environmental mining know-how—to find Chinese miners already working the ground." More >

Rare Earths and Graphite—The Critical Factors for Success: Gareth Hatch
Source: JT Long of The Critical Metals Report  (7/31/12)
Comparisons are useful in evaluating a company, but in the rare earth market, it's not as simple as a spreadsheet. With so many variables in the mix, no two projects are exactly alike, and each has its relative strengths and weaknesses. But out of hundreds of juniors digging for rare earths and graphite, how can investors evaluate who is likely to be among the handful to finally sell their minerals to end users? In this exclusive interview with The Critical Metals Report, Technology Metals Research Founding Principal Gareth Hatch examines the supply chain to identify advanced companies with good odds for success. He also shares some telling metrics that help show how companies measure up to their peers. More >

Vertical Integration: The Big Decision for REE Players
Source: REE World Report  (7/26/12)
"For REE miners, life is not so simple as it for those who mine gold, copper, coal or iron ore. You have to go a lot further downstream—but just how far?" More >

Three Steps to Rare Earth Mining Success: Alex Knox
Source: Brian Sylvester of The Critical Metals Report  (7/25/12)
It's a complicated business, but Alex Knox has a simple recipe for successful rare earth mining. In this exclusive interview with The Critical Metals Report, Alex Knox of AWK Geological Consulting discusses some exciting projects with all the right ingredients, as well as a technique that makes processing both profitable and environmentally friendly. More >

New Graphite Mines Coming On-Line Soon
Source: Nick Hodge, Energy & Capital  (7/25/12)
"Prices for graphite were some of the last to respond to the commodity supercycle." More >

South, North Korea Secretly Met Twice over Rare Earth Minerals
Source: Korean KoonAng Daily, Lee Eun-joo  (7/24/12)
"Officials from South and North Korea secretly met twice last year to discuss the joint development of rare earth resources in South Hwanghae Province, on the western coast of North Korea, the South's state-run Korea Resources Corporation (Kores) said." More >

South, North Korea Secretly Met Twice over Rare Earth Minerals
Source: Korean JoonAng Daily, Lee Eun-joo  (7/24/12)
"Officials from South and North Korea secretly met twice last year to discuss the joint development of rare earth resources in South Hwanghae Province, on the western coast of North Korea, the South's state-run Korea Resources Corporation (Kores) said." More >

China's Baotou Plans to Start Rare Earths Trading Exchange
Source: Reuters  (7/23/12)
"China's Baotou Steel will join six other firms to invest over $10M to start a rare earths trading platform in early August." More >

Mongolia Gov't Coalition Fans Fears of Resource Nationalism
Source: Reuters, Michael Kohn  (7/19/12)
"The coalition will include minority parties such as the Mongolian People's Revolutionary Party and Mongolian National Democratic Party, which both want to limit foreign investment in the booming mining sector." More >

Navigating the Vanadium Market: Sex Appeal Versus Lasting Attraction
Source: Sara Patterson, Mineweb  (7/19/12)
"Vanadium is finding a new niche in storing and distributing electrical energy through the use of vanadium flow batteries, having previously been used almost entirely in steelmaking." More >

Get Dirt-Cheap Critical Metals Exposure in Mongolia: James Passin
Source: Brian Sylvester of The Critical Metals Report  (7/17/12)
Nervous investors are waiting on the sidelines, but the biggest risk is to miss out on the great bull markets where fortunes are made: So says James Passin, hedge fund manager with Firebird Management. Passin likes to get the jump on mainstream analysts on emerging bullish plays, and right now he has his sights set on Mongolia. In this exclusive Critical Metals Report interview, discover which critical elements are being unearthed in the developing country and how technology is playing a crucial role. More >

A Historic Window of Opportunity in Mongolia: James Passin
Source: Brian Sylvester of The Gold Report   (7/16/12)
Investor fears about mining stocks are misplaced, says James Passin, a hedge fund manager with New York-based Firebird Management, especially if those companies are mining in Mongolia. Firebird manages a portfolio of private equity funds that invest in Mongolia, one of the fastest growing economies with some of the most extensive, untapped resources in the world. The country is already home to the largest copper deposit and in this exclusive Gold Report interview, Passin explains why there is potential for dozens more similar finds. More >

What Graphene Means for Ontario's Economy
Source: NetNewsLedger, James Murray  (7/16/12)
"Across Northwestern Ontario, there are a number of very promising graphite finds." More >

Manganese: Twin Brother or Ugly Stepchild of the Rare Earth Metal Family?
Source: MetalMiner, Lisa Reisman  (7/16/12)
"One can see many similarities between the manganese metal market and the rare earth metal market. Both share significant supply constraints." More >

The Rare Earth Element Black Market
Source: RareMetalBlog, Tracy Weslosky  (7/15/12)
"Western consumers of rare earths are more reliant on illegal material than they may realize." More >

Chart of the Day: Rare Earth Reversal
Source: Adam English, Resource Investor  (7/13/12)
"There is way too much government interference on both sides of the Pacific. Uncertainties about export quotas and tariffs on finished goods could easily shatter the current trend." More >

Employment in the Mining Industry Is a Pocket of Strength
Source: Frank Holmes, U.S. Global Investors  (7/12/12)
"U.S. employment in the mining sector has increased 16%. This change is far better than any other sector, according to data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics." More >

Short Supply, High Demand for Platinum Group Metals: George Topping and Michael Scoon
Source: Brian Sylvester of The Gold Report   (7/11/12)
Labor problems and low prices have platinum mines closing up shop in South Africa, and the potential for acquisitions is ripening. Senior Mining Analyst and Managing Director at Stifel Nicolaus in Toronto, George Topping believes that companies with shallow deposits and near-term production will be prime targets. In this exclusive interview with The Gold Report, Topping and Associate Analyst Michael Scoon discuss how supply shortages are shaping the landscape for platinum group metals and some bulk commodities. More >

China Blocks WTO Rare Earths Dispute Settlement Panel
Source: Dorothy Kosich, Mineweb  (7/11/12)
"China says it is not in a position to accept establishment of a WTO dispute settlement panel regarding its restrictions related to rare earths, tungsten and molybdenum exports." More >

Rhodium Glut Diminishing on Record Global Car Sales
Source: Reuters, Nicholas Larkin  (7/11/12)
"Rhodium, the past year's worst- performing metal, is poised to rebound as record car sales curb a supply glut at a time when producers are idling unprofitable mines and postponing spending on new projects." More >

REE Stocks Are Down but Not Out: Siddharth Rajeev
Source: The Critical Metals Report Editors  (7/10/12)
Equity investing is squarely in a risk-off phase and few sectors have been hit harder than junior mining. Rare earth elements equities are no exception, but most of the materials themselves have not dropped nearly as much. The Critical Metals Report sat down with Siddharth Rajeev, vice president and head of research at Fundamental Research Corp., for a good hard look at small caps in this space. Where have these equities been, and where are their valuations heading? Read on for more. More >

Miners Say Resource Nationalism Still the Number One Risk
Source: Dorothy Kosich, Mineweb  (7/9/12)
"In its report 'Business risks facing mining and metals 2012–2013,' E&Y's Global Mining and Metals Group outlines the top 10 business risks for mining and metals. Resource nationalism, skills shortage and infrastructure access top the list." More >

Graphite: The Newest 'Next Big Thing'
Source: Mickey Fulp, The Mercenary Geologist  (7/9/12)
"Many factors have contributed to the decline in junior exploration and mining stocks and I see little evidence for a quick recovery. However, markets will always find something to be long on. That current something for me is graphite." More >

Rare Earth, Common Problems
Source: Global Times, Zhang Zhilong  (7/9/12)
"Rare earth metals, known as 'industrial gold,' are still being illegally mined across the mountainous areas of Guangdong Province, despite a recent crackdown." More >

Chinese Government Speeds Up HREE Stockpiling
Source: Dorothy Kosich, Mineweb  (7/9/12)
"China's government is awarding interest-free loans to stockpile HREEs as reserves are running low." More >