MoRe MineS oPen, RaRe eaRtHS leSS RaRe

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MoRe MineS oPen RaRe eaRtHS leSS RaRe

Aug 1 (Reuters) - The United States has resumed mining rare earths after more than States, the European Union and Japan and their main supplier, China. ECOnOMY An sECurItY D a decade, ending its total reliance on imports, mostly from China,for raw minerals Washington says are critical for the economy and national security. In March 2012, the three consumers complained to the World Trade Organization (WTO) about China’s export restrictions on rare earths, tungsten and molybdenum, The National Research Council, the leading science and engineering adviser to the U.S. government, has identified rare earth elements as among the most “critical minerals”. In Responding to a quadrupling which they claimed were many applications rare earths of prices between 2005 and intended to reserve scarce have no practical substitutes 2011 and growing anxiety elements for its manufacturers, and there are just a handful of about supplies from China, discriminating against users in sources of supply. (“Minerals, Molycorp’s Project Phoenix has their own countries. critical minerals and the U.S. sought to resurrect domestic economy” 2008) production. But the price cycle for niche commodities such as rare Before 1990, the United States In 2009, the company earths can be brutal, with was largely self-sufficient. started processing stockpiled sudden booms followed by But increasingly stringent concentrate. Last year it equally traumatic busts. environmental regulations resumed mining at Mountain and growing competition from Pass in California’s Mojave China has already eased its low-cost producers in China Desert, which it had suspended restrictions, and with new with access to high-quality in 2002. supplies also becoming deposits led to a collapse in available from Mount Weld in domestic production. Molycorp plans to raise output Australia, prices have slumped to 19,050 metric tonnes of rare since 2011, leaving producers By 2000, the United States had earth oxide per year by the struggling. come to rely on imports for 100 middle of this year, enough to percent of its requirements. satisfy more than 10 percent of worldwide demand. “After we achieve our full production run rate, it may make sense to dial back Relying on just a few sources for minor metals is quite The resumption of domestic production until we can run common. According to the production comes after a the facility at lower cost,” U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), period when shortages stoked Molycorp’s chief executive a single mine in the United tensions between the United admitted to investors in May. States produces 86 percent

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of the world’s beryllium. Two mines in Brazil ccount for 92 percent of world niobium production.

But it is highly unusual for the United States to depend on imports for 100 percent of its requirements and for 94 percent of global production to be concentrated in just a single country, in this case China.

The National Research Council worried that relying so heavily on China for imports, while China’s own demand for rare earth elements is growing rapidly, could mean that insufficient supplies might be available at any price.

Those fears seemed to be borne out when China enforced a series of progressively tighter controls on exports between 2000 and 2012.

CrItICAl APPlICAtIOns

Rare earth elements (REEs) include 15 elements in the lanthanide series of the periodic table, ranging from lanthanum (with an atomic number of 57) to lutetium (atomic number 71). REEs also have many national Most deposits contain a mix strong neodymium-iron-of different elements. But the boron magnets are essential light rare earths (lanthanum, to military weapons systems, cerium, praseodymium, and samarium-cobalt magnets neodymium, promethium, are vital to precision-guided samarium and europium) missiles, smart bombs and are far more common than aircraft, according to the the heavy ones (gadolinium, Congressional Research Service. terbium, dysprosium, holmium, (“Rare earth elements: the erbium, thulium, ytterbium global supply chain” June and lutetium). 2012) yttrium is not an element in the lanthanide series but is security applications. Super generally included among nOt rEAllY the heavy rare earths because it has similar chemical and tHAt rArE physical properties. Despite the name, rare earths Rare earths have an increasingly wide range of applications, and consumption is rising rapidly. For example, cerium is used to polish almost all mirrors and lenses. Europium provides the red colour in displays used in all modern tablets and smart phones, and there are no are not actually that rare. The average concentration in the Earth’s crust ranges from 150 to 220 parts per million, which exceeds the concentration of many other metals mined on an industrial scale such as copper (55 parts per million) and zinc (70 parts per million). known alternatives. Cerium, the most abundant, is Fibre-optic cables use erbium to boost the signal carried over long distances. Other REEs such as gadolinium are used for the miniature, high-performance magnets employed in portable disc drives, popularly known as memory sticks. more common in the Earth’s crust than copper or lead, according to the USGS. All the REEs except promethium are more abundant than silver or mercury. Even the rarest, terbium and lutetium, are nearly 200 times more common

elements: critical resources for Pass shows no fewer than 34 and lanthanum, which are high technology” 2002). separation processes within relatively abundant. Bayan the facility. (“Principal rare Obo yields a higher share of But there are several catches. earth elements deposits of the neodymium, which is far more Unlike base and precious United States” 2010) valuable. But by far the most metals, which tend to occur prized deposits are those in in concentrated deposits, REEs southern China, which produce are not often found in high enough concentrations to make it worthwhile to mine But COnCEntrAtED a high proportion of scarce REEs including gadolinium and dysprosium.them. In many instances, REEs are found in ores along with suPPlIEs Mountain Pass and Mount Weld radioactive elements such as Because of the difficulties remain at a slight disadvantage uranium, thorium and radium, associated with extraction, because they produce mostly making them difficult and production of REEs has been cerium, lanthanum and other expensive to handle safely. concentrated at just a handful light REEs, rather than heavy Separating REEs from ores is far more complex and costly of sites with world-class deposits. elements, though Molycorp claims that it will be a lowercost producer than China once than the process for base metals such as zinc. Most base “ Production is dominated by China’s giant Bayan Obo mine its restart is complete. and precious metals occur in a in Inner Mongolia, which New mines typically take seven single mineral. The technology produced 55,000 tonnes in to 10 years or more to acquire for separating them from the 2009, and a string of smaller the necessary permits and reach ore is fairly standardised. mines in its tropical south, first production. Nonetheless, But REEs often occur in which totalled 45,000 tonnes. in response to higher prices, investment is pouring into multiple minerals, each of Mountain Pass and Australia’s exploring and developing new which requires a different Mount Weld, which started deposits around the world.separation process. Separation production in 2011 and is facilities therefore have to be owned by Lynas Corporation, Provided that prices remain custom-designed and built for are now producing significant reasonably high, China’s each different REE deposit. tonnages. Brazil, India, domination of rare earth Once separated, the rare earth oxide must be further separated again into as many Malaysia and Russia also produce REEs but in much smaller quantities. supplies seems set to ease by the early 2020s. as 14 different elements, Deposits vary enormously adding more cost. The 1995 in composition. Mountain flow diagram for Mountain Pass produces mostly cerium

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MechBro Australia has been set up to respond to the demand for Heavy Duty Diesel Mechanics and Fitters involved in the repair, maintenance and servicing of earthmoving, mining and transport equipment as well as light vehicles.

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As a team of mechanics, fitters, servicemen and fabricators we keep machines going, as well as being involved in site mobilization where we establish containerized workshops complete with domes and commission machinery ready for operation. Upon project completion we demobilize workshops and plant and are often the last to leave site. Throughout a project we are able to manage all parts ordering and delivery, including urgent hot shots. Our tilt tray can pick up and deliver parts and 20’ containers up to 8.5T.

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Our aim is to conduct our business using systems and practices which will ensure that our workforce and the community are protected from injury and harm. Safety and productivity go hand in hand with our people working as problem solvers to get the job done.

WOrKsHOP & OnsItE sErVICE

We have the equipment and the facilities to service your machinery and vehicles. We will also invest in our business and tailor to your requirements.

rEFrIGErEnt trADInG AutHOrIsAtIOn

MechBro has the capability and authorisation to repair your air conditioning units.

MACHInErY AnD VEHIClE HIrE

Mechbro can provide a variety of machinery and vehicles to suit your needs. MechBro currently have 6 mine specified service vehicles supported by a tilt tray truck capable of loading and unloading 20’ sea containers and moving items of plant up to 8 Tonne.

Having established MechBro Pty Ltd on May 9th 2011, with 2 mechanics we have experienced rapid growth and now have a great team of mechanics and service men. In 2012 we also acquired a light vehicle workshop in Joondalup. Within the next 12 months we will be establishing a heavy duty workshop where we can service, repair and store larger equipment.

12th Clean Coal Forum Indonesia 2013 Asia’s Premier Coal Event

December 5th-6th, 2013 | Jakarta, Indonesia

Sustainable Development Focus: Tapping Into Local Potential, a Myriad of Opportunity in Indonesia

CCFI2013: THE VITAL STATISTICS

200+ distinguished guests comprising senior decision makers from 20+ companies over 12+ countries worldwide. 30+ eminent global powerful speakers in the coal industry 15+ on-track mega demonstration projects in Indonesia. 12+ hours of networking time including cocktail receptions, champagne roundtables, VIP lunches and open Q&A sessions. 6 expert-hosted sessions offering vital industry insights.

Organizer

Please scan and register for the updated information.

Contact us: Elva Qiu Tel: +86 21 6393 1899 Ext：2041 Fax:+ 86 21 6840 7632 Email: elvaq@cdmc.org.cn Web: www.cdmc.org.cn/2013/ccfi