Links Between Asians and the Earliest Native Americans
February 1, 2012 | University of Pennsylvania
“A tiny mountainous region in southern Siberia may have been the genetic source of the earliest Native Americans, according to new research by a University of Pennsylvania-led team of anthropologists.” Quoted from the NSF press release. |
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Who’s Oil Goes Through the Strait of Hormuz?
January 20, 2012 | Energy Information Administration
On average, 14 crude oil tankers per day passed through the Strait in 2011, with a corresponding amount of empty tankers entering to pick up new cargos. More than 85% of these crude oil exports went to Asian markets, with Japan, India, South Korea, and China representing the largest destinations.
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US Gas Shales Attract Worldwide Investors
January 9, 2012 | Bloomberg
In just the past few weeks companies from China, France and Japan have purchased large holdings in the Eagle Ford, Utica and Marcellus Shales. |
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Another Big Chinese Purchase of US Shale Plays
January 4, 2012 | Business Week
Sinopec, a major Chinese oil and gas company also known as China Petroleum & Chemical Corporation Limited, will purchase a 1/3 share of Devon Energy’s holdings in five shale plays in the United States for $900 million in cash and contribute $1.6 billion towards future drilling expenses. Properties in the Utica Shale, Tuscaloosa Marine Shale, Niobrara Shale are included. |
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Rising Demand for Diamonds
January 3, 2012 | Business Week
Middle class populations are growing rapidly in China and India. This is producing a sharp increase in the demand for diamonds in both countries. |
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Image by USDOE
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2011 Critical Mineral Strategy
December 29, 2011 | United States Department of Energy
The United States Department of Energy has published their 2011 Critical Mineral Strategy. It explains how supply concerns for a variety of minerals threaten energy security in the United States. |
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Demand for Coal in Asia is Growing Rapidly
December 28, 2011 | Energy Information Administration
Global coal demand has almost doubled since 1980. Demand in most parts of the world is flat to declining but the use of coal in Asia is growing rapidly.
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Toyota Enters Rare Earth Mining Venture
December 15, 2011 | Mining Weekly
To ensure a reliable supply of heavy rare earth minerals for its hybrid and electric cars, Toyota is entering into a deal that could give them a 49% stake in a Canadian mining operation. |
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Shell Finds Shale Gas in China
December 9, 2011 | Reuters
Shell and PetroChina drilled two vertical wells to test the natural gas potential of shales in the Sichuan Basin. China is thought to have the largest recoverable shale gas resource in the world but it remains untested. |
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Annual Diamond Sales in China – $8 Billion!
November 22, 2011 | Commodity Online
Ten years ago very few diamonds were being sold in China but today the country is the second largest consumer of gem diamonds with an annual consumption of about $8 billion. |
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Rare Earth Metal Prices are Falling
November 16, 2011 | New York Times
After reaching a peak in August, international prices for rare earth elements have fallen sharply. According to an article in the New York Times, cerium was $170/kilogram in August and has fallen to $60/kilogram. |
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Rare Earth Element Supply Disruptions?
November 15, 2011 | RenewableEnergyWorld.com
An article on RenewableEnergyWorld.com explores potential supply disruptions for rare earth elements. Between 2000 and 2009 demand for these materials increased by more than 50% and future demand will be supported by low carbon technologies. |
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Rare Earth Projects are Risky Business
November 2, 2011 | Reuters
A Reuters article predicts that most of the recently launched rare earth exploration and mining projects will not be profitable. |
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Crowding in the Rare Earth Metals Market?
October 11, 2011 | Business Insider
An article on the “Business Insider” website speculates that so many companies have rushed into the tiny rare earth metals market that the growth in competition will spoil opportunities for profits. |
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China: Coal Production Tripled Since 2000
October 9, 2011 | Energy Information Administration
In 2010, China was responsible for nearly 1/2 of the world’s coal production and the amount that they have been producing is growing rapidly. It has nearly tripled since 2000.
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Rare Earth Substitutes and Consumption Declines
October 4, 2011 | Pittsburgh Live
After amazing price increases, manufacturers who use rare earth elements are finding substitutes and ways to cut consumption. This is putting some downward pressure on prices.
Related: What are Rare Earth Elements? |
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Landslide videos from India, USA and China
September 27, 2011 | The Landslide Blog
Dave Petley of the Landslide Blog has posted some videos of landslides that happened in the past week in India, USA and China. |
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The Electrification of Asia
September 26, 2011 | Energy Information Administration
Over the next twenty years China, India and other Asian nations will be rapidly increasing their electricity generation and consumption rates. Most of the electricity will be generated by burning coal. |
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Rare Earths from Myanmar?
September 26, 2011 | Japan Times
As rare earth element supplies from China became limited and unreliable, Japan began looking for other suppliers. Now they have a potential deal with Myanmar. |
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Chinese Expeditions to the Arctic and Antarctic
September 25, 2011 | China Daily
China is increasing its involvement in polar research with three Arctic and five Antarctic scheduled by 2015. |
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