Rare Earth Metals

lvader

sibot74 wrote: »

Certainly is - more than enough, already on-line or near-line. Have a proper read of the link provided up-thread.

China still holds 90% of the Rare Earth market (down from. 95%), if they were to heavily restrict exports then prices would shoot up again.

cloud_dog

lvader wrote: »

China still holds 90% of the Rare Earth market (down from. 95%), if they were to heavily restrict exports then prices would shoot up again.

They already are.......... The US, EU, and Japan have made formal complaints to the WTO and have recently requested a 'dispute settlement panel' to resolve the issue. Can't see it getting a resolution myself.

Having said that with the current lower internal demand in China international restrictions have eased.

I used to have a REM investment in TYM, who literally had a big 'lug' of REM sticking out of the earth in Saudi Arabia, excellent financial options for bringing it to market and then......Bam....... whilst undertaking one of the metallurgy reports they went and discovered in amongst the REMs and healthy supply of Uranium. The Saudi's got very nervous at this point and have not renewed the exploration license, which has pretty much put the project in moth balls for the time being.

Buffett

Investing in commodities is pure speculation, especially when technology is moving so fast that their use could easily become obsolete (e.g. what effect will Graphine have?)

JoeCrystal

Buffett wrote: »

Investing in commodities is pure speculation, especially when technology is moving so fast that their use could easily become obsolete (e.g. what effect will Graphine have?)

In that case, you should invest in technology that could make them obsolete... very risky of course.

cloud_dog

Buffett wrote: »

Investing in commodities is pure speculation, especially when technology is moving so fast that their use could easily become obsolete

I could always reply..........

Investing in technology is pure speculation, especially when technology is moving so fast that their use could easily become obsolete

You are correct in your comment but gearing up to produce something is cost and time consuming. Once a product has been designed to use a certain material there needs to be a significant price / other benefit introduced in order to change the design manufacturing process. This is in addition to the many years it will take ot get mines up and running.

Graphine is a good example but when do you think it will be suitably 'productised' so as to be usable in mass manufacturing processes? If its less than another 5 years I will be impressed. I think one of the main drivers for its use will be in replacing silicon for chips so, we'll just have to wait and see.