Geology News
Rare Earth Elements Current Events

Japanese researchers say they have found rich accumulations of rare earth elements in sea floor sediments in Japan’s Exclusive Economic Zone.

The Geological Society of America has published a Position Statement Draft on Critical Mineral Resources. From the draft…

“This position statement (1) summarizes the consensus views of The Geological Society of America on critical minerals resources…

Articles in the news about a proposal to construct a rare earth elements mine at Bokan Mountain has generated a lot of interest in the rare earth element resources of Alaska. This publication by the Alaska Geological Survey provides an overview of resources and occurrences in Alaska.

Inaccurate News Reports about Newberry Caldera and Salton Buttes

Life Beneath the Seafloor

Not Caused by Fracking

Rare Earth Elements in Arizona?

Stolen Petroglyphs

Dispute: Natural Gas Under Natural Gas Storage Fields

Volcano Movies

“It may be time to re-examine the potential for rare earth elements (REE) in Arizona. The conventional wisdom is that we have only minor amounts in a few pegmatites. But Virginia McLemore from the New Mexico Bureau of Geology and Mineral Resources may have dispelled that as a myth…” Quoted from the Arizona Geology blog.

This CNN video explores the impact that a concentration of rare earth elements might have on the small town of Sundance, Wyoming.

An announcement by China to increase rare earth element export quotas has surprised many commodity experts. China has been holding very tight control over the metals for the past few years.

China currently produces about 90% of the world’s supply of rare earth elements and their tight export rules have made it difficult for companies in other countries to obtain adequate supplies at reasonable prices. Now China says that they plan to cut production by 20%.

Companies in Europe, Japan and the United States have complained that China’s restrictions on the export of rare earth elements are designed to bring manufacturing contracts to China.

Although China is the worlds primary producer of rare earth metals, the country could become a net importer of the metals by 2014.

“In March, the US, European Union, and Japan formally requested that the World Trade Organization (WTO) launch an investigation into China’s rare earth export policy.” Quoted from the Rare Earth Investing News.

“Canada has 1.1 billion pounds of rare earths locked in black shale deposits (the Alberta Black Shale Project) worth an estimated $206 billion. In addition, several other Canadian mines across the country show great potential.” Quote from the Canadian Chamber of Commerce website.

In response to a shortage of rare earth elements and high prices, Japan’s Hitachi Ltd. has developed an efficient industrial motor that can be manufactured without rare earth elements.

Experts disagree with a Pentagon report claiming that the United States has an adequate supply of rare earth elements to meet most U.S. Military needs.