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 >

How Is Dr. Copper Feeling?
Source: Louis James, Casey Research  (7/6/12)
"Copper stocks are more volatile than the metal itself, and in a weak economy that means rebounds are unlikely. But are they still profitable? Yes, they are." More >

The US and EU Are Desperately Seeking Heavy Rare Earths: Jeb Handwerger
Source: Sally Lowder of The Critical Metals Report  (7/3/12)
Despite market malaise, the outlook for rare earth element demand is growing more and more compelling. China still controls a majority of the supply, but has been cautioning the world that even its reserves can't last forever. North America desperately needs to establish its own sources, but which juniors will be able to fill that need? Jeb Handwerger, editor and publisher of Gold Stock Trades, predicts which companies may win the race to production in this exclusive interview with The Critical Metals Report. More >

Clear as Mud: The Answer to Japan's Rare Earth Concerns
Source: The Wall Street Journal, Yoree Koh<  (7/2/12)
"For the first time, Japanese explorers have discovered large deposits of rare-earth minerals on the ocean floor within the country's exclusive economic zone." More >

Small-Cap Focus: Who Will Benefit from Tighter REE Supply?
Source: Proactive Investors, Ian Lyall  (7/2/12)
"There are about 400 companies exploring for rare earths outside of China, though only a handful are listed on the world's stock markets." More >

New Technique Controls Graphite-to-Graphene Transition
Source: Phys.org  (7/2/12)
"Physicists have found a way to systematically study and control the transition of graphite, an important step in developing modern-day tech applications." More >

Japan, EU and US Slam China in Rare Metals Affair
Source: Tokyo Times  (7/1/12)
"The U.S., Japan and the E.U. have already complained to the WTO in March, but they say China’s response has not been adequate." More >

Cashing In on Underwater Mining
Source: Ben Gersten, Resource Investor  (6/29/12)
"Underwater mining companies hope to extract copper, nickel, ore, silver, zinc and even rare earth metals." More >

Investments Worth Their Weight in Graphite: Glen Jones
Source: Brian Sylvester of The Critical Metals Report  (6/26/12)
Graphite is the "it" mineral of the moment, but as an investment space it remains largely misunderstood. In this exclusive interview with The Critical Metals Report, Glen Jones, executive director for the Western Hemisphere at Intierra Resource Intelligence, suggests investors research extensively to protect against loss, and names some of his favorite projects that may serve as a jumping-off point for the graphite-curious. More >

Metals and Mining Stock Outlook
Source: Zacks Investment Research  (6/25/12)
"The recent focus on the weakening outlook for global economic growth has emerged as a major headwind for the global metal industry. These near-term challenges aside, the group's long-term dynamics appear attractive." More >

China's White Paper on Rare Earth Industry Stirs Rare Earth Juniors
Source: John Kaiser, Kaiser Research Online  (6/23/12)
"The real issue is where will domestic prices stabilize, and what impact will the projected 60,000 tons of mainly LREEs from Molycorp and Lynas have on rare earth prices? Why did these stocks bounce today, and is this the start of a sustainable recovery?" More >

Investing in Graphene Stock: How to Get in on this 'Miracle Material'
Source: Larry Spears, Money Morning  (6/22/12)
"There's a mad dash to exploit the unique properties of the material, which are impressive." More >

China Has Only 23% of World's REE Reserves
Source: Rare Metal Blog, Tracy Weslosky  (6/22/12)
"China has seen its rare earth reserves decline in major mining areas, with the reserve-extraction ratio slumping." More >

Chinese Gov't White Paper Pledges International REE Cooperation
Source: Dorothy Kosich, Mineweb  (6/21/12)
"In the first white paper of its kind published on rare earths, China's Central Government pledges to follow WTO rules, strengthen the industry's management, and supply rare earths globally." More >

Major Mineral Opportunities Uncovered in an Unexpected Place, Mongolia: Eric Zurrin
Source: Zig Lambo of The Gold Report  (6/20/12)
Mongolia, which is not on most investment menus, could soon become famous for much more than Ghengis Khan. Sandwiched between China and Russia, with a land area one-sixth that of the U.S., it has a population of less than three million, yet holds the potential for developing into a major minerals producer. With national elections on June 28, in this exclusive interview with The Gold Report, Eric Zurrin, CEO of Resource Investment Capital Ltd., who lives and works mainly in Mongolia, gives us an insider's view of what's going on in this true land of opportunity for investors who recognize its huge potential. He also talks about several of his favorite companies that could profit from the vast mineral riches hidden under the Mongolian steppes. More >

The Only Five Rare Earth Elements that Matter: Jack Lifton
Source: Alec Gimurtu of The Critical Metals Report  (6/19/12)
There is no single rare earth element market. Instead, the rare earth universe is made up of four or five distinct "critical rare earth" markets that should be the focus for investors today. Even with new mine supply and refining capacity coming on-line over the next four years, these elements will remain in short supply, with hefty price tags attached. In this exclusive interview with The Critical Metals Report, Institute for the Analysis of Global Security Senior Fellow Jack Lifton explains how investors can play a crucial role in building a supply chain outside of China. More >