China's may not be global supply of rare earth anymore

[cybereye]

The researchers calculate that a single square kilometer of seafloor sediment (the layers of interest range from 3 to 70 meters thick) in these regions could provide up to one-fifth of the current annual demand for rare earths. The authors summarize the impact of their findings by noting, “Unless the great water depths have a significant impact on the technological and economic viability of mining on [the] seafloor, the… mud in the Pacific Ocean may constitute a highly promising resource for the future.”

"Why ocean mud might matter to your future iPhone"

 

[the_leander]

Was watching the news the other day, it was suggested that whilst there was loads of it down there, it was not in sufficient concentrations to justify the expense of extraction.

 

[cybereye]

Was watching the news the other day, it was suggested that whilst there was loads of it down there, it was not in sufficient concentrations to justify the expense of extraction.

That true now, but that may change next 10 years or so. Rare Earth is still cheap, but price have been rising and many are still not in the commodity exchange yet. China is really putting the pressure on the rare earth reduce the export out of China at the same time China is seeking more rare earth from other countries as well.
In my view, China wants to use rare earth for international political powers and/or economy controlled.

 

[faethor]

That true now, but that may change next 10 years or so. Rare Earth is still cheap, but price have been rising and many are still not in the commodity exchange yet. China is really putting the pressure on the rare earth reduce the export out of China at the same time China is seeking more rare earth from other countries as well.

China supplies about 95% of the material. There's no motivation for them to put this on the commodity market. It's with another large find, such as this mud, where the pressures of competition might force this.

 

[metalman]

Rare earth elements (fifteen lanthanoids elements plus scandium and yttrium) are relatively plentiful, but dispersed in the Earth's crust. Finding rare earth elements in concentrated and economically exploitable mines is why they are called "rare".

The US has as many if not more concentrated rare earth mining deposits as China, but all those in the US have been shut down due to environmental regulations, except for one mine, which was shut down in 2002 but reopened again this year.

 

[cybereye]

China supplies about 95% of the material. There's no motivation for them to put this on the commodity market.

Not now, maybe next 10 year or so. I do hope so from other industry that mining for rare earth when there is more demand from wind power, electric motor, LED, replace other older technology.

The US has as many if not more concentrated rare earth mining deposits as China, but all those in the US have been shut down due to environmental regulations, except for one mine, which was shut down in 2002 but reopened again this year.

US does not have more or same amount than China. If you tie with Russia, Australia and the US to match the same amount rare earth resources as China has. I know that there are many rare earths in US that are not bothering to dig it out because china made it cheap that it does not make profit from mining and that will change in a matter of time. When that happens, Japan may start mining from the sea when price and technology improve for mining in the sea.

 

[metalman]

US does not have more or same amount than China.

Rare Earth Elements Deposits of the United States

 

[cybereye]

US does not have more or same amount than China. If you tie with Russia, Australia and the US to match the same amount rare earth resources as China has. I know that there are many rare earths in US that are not bothering to dig it out because china made it cheap that it does not make profit from mining and that will change in a matter of time. When that happens, Japan may start mining from the sea when price and technology improve for mining in the sea.

Rare Earth Elements Deposits of the United States

Good report that you have posted. I could not find the report that I had read in the past and it pretty much in line with that report you have posted. What I had posted, I was talking about reserves, not produced. While faethor and metalman were talking about produced and I agree with that statement. My statement that I had post still stays the same that the China has more reserves than US. If you combine with Russia, Australia and the US to match the same amount rare earth resources as China have. In your report that you posted, it did not have any info about Russia and I am assume that it in “Other” category. As far I know, Russia does not produce either in general. I hope this clear up the misunderstood.