The "King" Heads North for the Technology Metals Summit

I just received the best email of the day with the title: Next Week in Balmy Toronto Written by the astoundingly clever and astute Byron King, Editor, Outstanding Investments and Energy Scarcity Investor for Agora Financial; he will be a guest on the Inside and Outside China, How will the Rare Earth Market Look in 2012? panel moderated by Clint Cox, Founder of The Anchor House, Inc. on Wednesday, February 1st from 4-5 pm at the Technology Metals Summit. He writes: Next week, Ill be...

Coming Scarcity of HREE’s in Modern Apps Looks Good for Canadian Companies

Quest Rare Minerals of Montreal reported their most recent drilling results on Marketwire Jan 12th 2012, satisfying their estimates of viable deposits at Strange Lake B-Zone in Northern Quebec. The Preliminary Economic Assessment report delivered in 2010 and the Revised Resource Estimate in April 2011 were validated by their summer drilling. Peter Cashin, Quests President CEO said in Marketwire that, “We have now defined sufficient resources to more than satisfy the minimum 25-year production model established by the Preliminary Economic Assessment Report.” Not only are...

China: More Red Flags.

Apart for being the monopoly supplier of rare earths and metals to the global economy, China is now the marginal economy that keeps the western economies healthy or sick. Yes I know that Europe seemingly has a death wish all of its own making, and its politicians are dithering dolts incapable of facing up to the reality of a failing currency union, but its global trade with China that’s become or becoming what is really important in the current level of world trade, and there...

The Weekly Review: Baotou's plans, dysprosium tussle, recycling in Vietnam + new demand projections

China’s rare earth sector continues to be in flux, with what consequences we cannot yet determine. We have, on the one hand, the official industry policy and the aspirations of various players while, on the other there’s the small matter of the faltering global economy that could have severe impact on metals demand. First, the latest developments. According to the Nikkei news service, Inner Mongolia Baotou Steel High-Tech Co, the world’s largest REE producer, is moving quickly to make itself less reliant on rare earth...

International Rare Earth Experts to Gather in Toronto as REE World Hosts First Annual Technology Metals Summit, February 1-2

“Rare earths are the economic and technologic foundation of a safe and secure Nation. To possess them imparts independence, immunity to coercion, and the tools to invoke scientific advancement.” -- James B. Hedrick Toronto, ON – January 26, 2012 -- Rare Earth Element World (“REE World”), in conjunction with Pro-Edge Inc. and Market Edge Media is pleased to announce the Technology Metals Summit 2012 (www.TechnologyMetals.com) on Wednesday and Thursday, February 1st and 2nd at the Hyatt Regency in Toronto, Canada. Tracy Weslosky, Chairman of REE...

Both the Technology Metals Summit and the Medallion Monazite Facility Receive Positive Feedback

I worked till midnight, back and forth with Dudley Kingsnorth on his participation in the upcoming Technology Metals Summit in less than 1 week and counting. Dudley has been an immense supporter of mine, so I was really appreciative of the fact that he is planning on...are you ready for this...launching his 2016 and 2020 rare earths forecasts just for us.On my desk, I am staring at the Technology Metals Summit news release. I can’t seem to find one of my keynote speakers, so do...

$247 A Barrel Crude & REEs.

‘[Terra 51] is the world’s only DC rapid charger that can connect interoperably with other systems using something called OCPP, Open Charge Point Protocol,’ ABB’s UK head of sales for EV charging, Martin Hale, told The Engineer.Yesterday the Paris based International Energy Agency released a report forecasting the price of a barrel of crude oil reaching $247 by 2035. Who knows, such long range forecasting depends very much on the assumptions used, and inputs into the business model, but the IEA ought to have one...

Toyota & REEs.

Has Toyota come up with a way to make electric vehicles without using any rare earth elements? According to an article in Japan’s Kyodo News, supposedly they have and they hope to be using the new technology in about two years. Of course, this sort of story has regularly made the rounds, but if true it will be very big news in the REE sector. But then again, will the new technology really match the perfomance of REE EVs? And even if it does, if...

Lynas closes the deal - and signals Malaysian approval next month

New York-based investment firm Mount Kellett Capital Management must be sure that Lynas Corp will soon get approval from the Malaysian government for its rare earths advanced materials plant. The firm, run by former Goldman Sachs partners Mark McGoldrick and Jason Maynard, will provide $225 million through convertible bonds that can be exercised for shares at $1.25 each. TheAustralian emergingrare earths producersays this gives them the necessary folding stuff to get into production. It also means that the $125 million working facility offered back in...

Competing with China Inc.

The New York Times has a very informative, if long, article on Apple’s reliance on Chinese manufacturing and why it’s unlikely ever to change. Over simplifying, Apple gets the benefit of Chinese government subsidies to Apple’s contractors, while the contractors get the use of near serf labourers, who live in onsite dormitories, subject to near 24 hour on-call availability. The whole New York Times article is worth taking the time to read. How U.S. Lost Out on iPhone Work By CHARLES DUHIG and KEITH BRADSHER...

Rare Earth's Rise for the Weekend; Cambridge House REE Line-Up

Heading to the Vancouver Resources Investment Conference in 1 hr, I look forward to moderating a panel Sunday at 9:00 am with Thom Calandra, Lawrence Roulston, and Eric Coffin. The Conference runs for the two days between January 22 and 23 and I look forward to hanging out with David Morgan and discussing our mutual interests in CurrencyCountdown.com, the investors’ guide to economic survival. Yesterday was an exciting day for the rare earths market that saw several stocks prices surge. Montero (TSXV:MON) shares rose 7.14%...

Ultracap Update.

A flashlight, for example, could run for six hours on a battery, Hall said, and would also require six hours to recharge. “An ultracapacitor could run it about an hour and it would take 60 seconds to recharge.”The other functional difference, he said, is cycle life. “You’re going to have roughly 400 to 1,000 cycles [of discharging and recharging] before you throw that battery away. With an ultracapacitor, you’re going to have millions of cycles.”Ultracapacitors, also called super capacitors, have been undergoing something of a...

Recycling EV Batteries.

With electric vehicles about to get taken more seriously in 2012, as new manufacturers enter the market and the autos become more widely available to potential buyers, the issue of the batteries becomes more of a concern. If the EV demand matches manufacturers plans, is there enough Li-ion manufacturing capacity to meet demand? Then there’s still the issue of the batteries cost. Presumably the economies of scale in mass production, in the coming on-stream new factories will kick in, helping to lower the cost of...

Update on the Launch of Lynas’ Rare Earth Refinery in Malaysia

Lynas Corp.’s (ASX: LYC) Mount Weld project in Western Australia represents one of the world’s richest rare earth deposits. The company plans to process the ore extracted from Mount Weld at its AU$220 (US$235) million facility in Kuantan, Malaysia. Before this can be done however Lynas must receive a temporary operating licence from the Malaysian Atomic Energy Licencing Board (AELB). The Board’s decision was expected on January 30, a week after the public comment period on the issue was set to close on January 17....

Tracy Weslosky on the Technology Metals Summit

Ellis Martin interviews the Executive Director of The Technology Metals Summit and the Editor/Publisher of The Rare Metal Blog, Tracy Weslosky. Ms. Weslosky is hosting the conference on February 1st and 2nd at the Hyatt Regency in Downtown Toronto, Ontario Canada....

New Radar Means More Turbines.

Commonly used by military expeditionary forces, the TPS-77 is a 3D surveillance radar that is designed for long-range detection, especially in weather systems and “clutter” – the on-screen phenomenon sometimes created by wind farm rotor-blades that causes blind spots on older radar systems. The MoD had lodged objections to wind developments in a number of “strategic” locations because older systems might allow hostile aircraft to fly through unspotted. One of the last big obstacles to the construction of next generation wind farms in the UK’s...

CES 2012. China. REEs.

The 2012 International Consumer Electronics Show was the biggest such event in the show’s 44-year history, with more than 153,000 attendees, up from 149,000 a year ago.Hot trends included Ultrabooks, OLED TVs, Android 4.0 tablets, next-generation smartphones and 3D printers.The world’s consumer electronics show which was held last week in Las Vegas, was apparently the biggest and some say the best ever. With Microsoft dropping out from next year’s show, perhaps 2012 will represent something of a peak. From our rare metal blog perspective, there’s...

The Weekly Review: Optimism on Lynas, pessimism on REE prices, high hopes in the Philippines

Two ongoing stories - Lynas in Malaysia and the likely prices for rare earths - and a new one - another potential Asian player - make up this edition of RareMetalBlog’s Weekly Review. Item #1: The report during the week on RareMetalBlog regarding Lynas and a conspiracy theory about Chinese intervention in Malaysia certainly got the comments flying. Now we have a more impartial assessment, this time from Sydney-based Foster Stockbroking. It sent out a client note Monday (Australian Eastern Summer Time) suggesting this was...

FIA Formula E.

‘Electric-powered racing is really taking off with the launch of the new FIA Formula E world championship for electric racing cars planned for 2013 and we are thrilled to be at the forefront of the push for innovation at such an exciting time for the sport and industry.’There were two interesting developments this week in the world of electric vehicles. With Europe heading into recession from all their austerity programs, and the US economy only in the weakest of rebounds, 2012 is an inauspicious year...

News flash: An REE-free motor, a Lynas conspiracy theory, and HREE indicators

Here’s (maybe) some rare earth news you can use. Well, views, too. I hesitated, indeed paused for some time, before writing the following; after all, there’s some spirited views out there on REE substitutions and magnets. But, what the hell: it’s a report from the reputable Nikkei business news service in Tokyo, so take it up with them. Item # 1: Nikkei reports that Nidec Corp aims to mass-produce - without using rare earths - what is described as “a cutting-edge motor that runs smoothly...

REE World Launches the Ultimate Guide to Rare Earth Elements – the REEHandbook

REEHandbook a Prelude to the Rare Earth Industry’s Upcoming Technology Metals Summit in Toronto, Canada February 1st and 2nd January 11, 2012 – From the Founders of the #1 rare earth element site RareMetalBlog.com, Pro-Edge Inc. (“Pro-Edge”) is pleased to announce the launch of REEHandbook.com, the ultimate guide to rare earth elements. In an effort to follow the increasing list of publicly listed exploration companies in the race towards production to ease dependence on the Chinese who process 95% of the world’s supply of rare...

Onshore Wind Economics & REEs.

Justin Wu, lead wind analyst at Bloomberg New Energy Finance, said: The public perception of wind power tends to be that it is environmentally-friendly, but expensive and intermittent. That is out-of-date - in the best locations, where generation is already cost-competitive with fossil fuel electricity, and that will be the case for the majority of new onshore turbines installed worldwide by 2016.Towards the end of last year, Bloomberg New Energy Finance (BNEF) published a wind energy assessment with the starling assertion “The best wind farms...

Northern Minerals Announces "Outstanding" Heavy Rare Earth Results in John Galt Project

January 10, 2011 -- Tracy Weslosky, CEO for Pro-Edge Inc. interviews George Bauk, Managing Director and CEO for Northern Minerals (ASX: NTU) on the results of the John Galt project announced today. He states: "The results we released today include rock chips of up to 42% TREO and given our real dominance in the heavy rare earths and our distributions, you have seen results including 3.68% of dysprosium in the total assays. So these results are fantastic..." -- For more information, go to www.RareMetalBlog.com or...

China's Changed Policy.

China’s ruling Communist party wrapped up its most important economic meeting of the year with an agreement to focus on maintaining fast economic growth in the midst of what it described as an “extremely grim and complicated” global outlook. The annual three-day Central Economic Work Conference for top Communist officials sets policy for the coming year and this meeting clearly signalled that the leaders of the world’s second-largest economy are concerned about a slowdown in growth.----At the same conference last year, China’s leaders explicitly named...

Dudley Kingsnorth says Thumbs Up Dysprosium, the Technology Metals Summit and REEHandbook.com

Posted 2 videos this weekend on RareMetalBlog that I did with Dudley Kingsnorth. I interviewed Dudley late last week with the intent to kick off the New Year providing readers with a translation on what the latest Chinese export numbers really mean first hand from the industry’s leading analyst. The first one is titled the Impact of Chinese Rare Earth Export Quotas for 2012, followed by Downward Pressure on Rare Earth Prices in 2012. I tell you, Dudley is such a well-informed player in our...

Dudley Kingsnorth on the Impact of Chinese Rare Earth Export Quotas for 2012

January 7, 2012 - Tracy Weslosky, CEO for Pro-Edge Inc., speaks with world renowned rare earth expert Dudley J. Kingsnorth, Executive Director of Industrial Minerals Company of Australia Pty. Ltd. In this interview, Dudley talks about the recent Chinese export quotas. He explains what how the quota division between the light rare earths and heavy rare earths may affect the rare earth market....

LED Replacement Light Tubes.

In other LED-related news, Air New Zealand has halved the amount of energy required to light key areas of its Auckland engineering base following installation of a new LED lighting product, Ecofluro.The airline contracted New Zealand company Business Lighting Solutions and international energy management specialists Schneider Electric to replace more than 2,100 fluorescent bulbs at the site with, Ecofluro T8 LED tubes.As we’ve covered before, our domestic world is switching away from incandescent light bulbs towards a future of the compact fluorescent light bulb (CFL)...

Downward Pressure on Rare Earth Prices in 2012

January 7, 2012 - Dudley J. Kingsnorth, Executive Director of Industrial Minerals Company of Australia Pty Ltd, speaks with CEO of Pro-Edge Inc. Tracy Weslosky on the recent Chinese export quota on rare earths. What we have seen is a significant fall in the export of rare earths out of China...due to two factors: high prices and therefore people have actual reduced demand but also, because of the very high prices, because of the global uncertainty people have made big efforts to reduce their working...

China, Japan to parley on REE - breakthrough in doubt

Japan and China have agreed to talk on the question of rare earths supplies. However, the problem is - according to the Nikkei news service - that both sides have different goals in mind and you wonder if there can be any meaningful resolution if they each stick to their guns and remain obdurate. Then there’s another layer we must also begin thinking about: the continuing decline of the Japanese economy and just how that may affect all the projections for REE demand as the...

Demand for REEs Increasing with Modern Electric Vehicles

The XC60 Plug-in Hybrid Concept uses a 260hp (280 lb-ft), turbocharged 4-cylinder gasoline engine. The gasoline engine drives the front wheels while a 70hp (148 b-ft) electric motor provides power to the rear wheels. The electric motor is fed by a 12 kWh lithium-ion battery pack -- it can be charged in 3.5 hours with a 220V outlet or in 7.5 hours with a 110V outlet.With the North American International Auto Show set to open on Monday, the next two weeks will see a flurry...