Quote from retaildaytrader:
I just confirmed through my buddies in China that soldiers are at the production facilities, border crossings and shipment points preventing metals from being exported out of China. Magnesium and Zinc seemed to be especially targeted. Mandatory checks are being done by soldiers and all metals are being stopped. The border is completely sealed and they will not let certain metals out of the country.
http://www.voanews.com/english/news...rth-Could-Cause-Major-Problems-103898893.html
Quote from MKTrader:
I can just imagine the headlines tomorrow:
"In China, there were reports of soldiers preventing rare earth shipments from key facilities and ports of entries. As a result, the Dow rallied 150 points asthe Fedtraders were unfazed by the news.
Quote from S2007S:
Got this from an article:
Rare earths, in case you need a refresher, are a class of 17 elements used in everything from mobile phones, to hybrid car batteries, to flat-screen TVs, to guided missile systems, to wind turbines.
If it involves cutting-edge modern technology, chances are it requires rare earths.
So whatâs the rub? Right now, China controls 93-97% of the world supply, depending on the source you choose to cite at your next cocktail party.
Still, the Chinese decision to stop exports to the U.S. marks one of the strangest export bans in recent history.
Quote from retaildaytrader:
I just confirmed through my buddies in China that soldiers are at the production facilities, border crossings and shipment points preventing metals from being exported out of China. Magnesium and Zinc seemed to be especially targeted. Mandatory checks are being done by soldiers and all metals are being stopped. The border is completely sealed and they will not let certain metals out of the country.
http://www.voanews.com/english/news...rth-Could-Cause-Major-Problems-103898893.html
Quote from retaildaytrader:
If the Chinese have 80% of the world Magnesium and Zinc supply, then I think they can make it rare pretty quickly.
How long would it take for the US to start producing Magnesium and Zinc again? It would take years to build and get started any new production plans...meanwhile, China has shuttered production leaving us with nothing.
Quote from slimpickingsfor:
This chart was found at the very end of a presentation from Rare Element Resources, and in our view it undermines the whole idea that China is going to use up all of its own rare earth metals, and cut off the world.
As you can see, China's supply clearly exceeds domestic demand, and is expected to do so for a long time. Thus there really is no incentive for them to choke off the world. And of course it's the "CHINA IS CHOKING OFF THE WORLD" headlines that are driving stocks like Rare Elements Resources and MolyCorp, and every two-bit penny stock with the word "rare" in its name.
Add in the supply in the rest of the world, and there shouldn't be too many problems.
Click on chart to enlarge
Read more: http://www.businessinsider.com/here...rs-dont-want-you-to-see-2010-10#ixzz13Texn7H6