Present States and Issues on the Development of Rare-Earths Resources
2012 Volume 50 Issue 3 Pages 123-127
Details
2012 Volume 50 Issue 3 Pages 123-127
Rare-earths (RE) are indispensable materials for modern high-tech industries, and more than 90 percent of the demand of Japan depends on the export from China. However, a serious shortage and price soaring of RE have occurred since 2009 due to the export control of China. To secure a stable supply of RE, the government and private sectors of Japan have struggled to develop RE deposits other than China. In 2012, Mountain Pass (USA) and Mt. Weld (Australia) mines plan to begin the production of light RE, and their production will stabilize the supply and price of light RE. However, there are only some potential heavy RE mines other than China, and it would take at least two or three years for such heavy RE mines to begin their production.
