{"id":1120537,"date":"2019-06-11T16:22:36","date_gmt":"2019-06-11T16:22:36","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.mining.com\/?p=992940"},"modified":"2019-06-11T18:22:36","modified_gmt":"2019-06-11T18:22:36","slug":"china-kicks-off-national-survey-of-rare-earth-resources-amid-threats-of-supply-curbs","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/juniorminingnews.com\/?p=1120537","title":{"rendered":"China kicks off national survey of rare earth resources amid threats of supply curbs"},"content":{"rendered":"

China, the world’s top producer of rare earth elements, has launched a wide-ranging survey of local production in seven regions, including Inner Mongolia and Jiangxi province, amid Beijing\u2019s threats to curb global supplies in retaliation for tariffs imposed on imports to the United States.<\/p>\n

According to China Securities Journal<\/a>, the nation\u2019s state planner, industry ministry and the natural resources ministry began site visits and meetings across the country on Monday to assess the \u201cgeneral upstream, midstream and downstream situation of rare earths and other strategic mineral resources.\u201d<\/p>\n

China has for years been the world’s biggest exporter of rare earths, a group of 17 minerals used in everything from high-tech consumer electronics to military equipment.<\/p>\n

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The move comes amid Beijing\u2019s threats of curbing global supplies in retaliation for tariffs imposed on imports into the United States<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<\/figure>\n

Despite their name, rare earths are not rare. According to the United States Geological Survey (USGS), they are roughly as common as copper. But, because rare earth ores oxidize quickly, extracting them is both difficult and extremely polluting.<\/p>\n

China currently accounts for 70% of global production, but has lately reduced domestic production<\/a> as the government cracks down on illegal mining and pollution.<\/p>\n

That explains why speculation of supply cuts to the US, a major buyer, has sent the stock prices of rare earth companies, including Australia\u2019s Lynas (the only major rare earth producer outside China) skyrocketing over the last few days<\/a>.<\/p>\n