[Raw Materials] Rare Earths Light Up Global Markets

This article reports that turbulence has continued to dominate the rare earths industry throughout 2012 as the majority of global supply remained under China's lock and key. Export quota restrictions remained firmly in place during the past 12 months, as the Chinese Ministry of Commerce (MOFCOM) reduced exports limits by 27% year-on-year for the first half of 2012 and withheld quotas from more than 20 Chinese companies. Now, the global rare earth market appears to be stabilising with prices returning to levels that could promote a return to long-term demand growth rates and international players are beginning to move into the gap China has left in the market.