China strengthens grip on rare earth

China more than 90% of the global supply of rare earth mineral China expanded the export quotas for rare earth metals, tightening its grip on the minerals used in a number of high-tech electronics.

Friday, iron alloys containing more than 10% of rare-earth will fall under the export quota, the Ministry of commerce, said in a statement.

REE are a collection of 17 of the periodic table chemical elements.

Global manufacturers rely heavily on China for these minerals.

Rare metals are used in high-tech products such as mobile devices, hybrid car batteries, wind turbines and weapons guidance systems.

China had already reduced its exports by about 35% in the first half of 2011 prices to record levels. It produces approximately 97% of rare-earth metal supply.

The Chinese Government also wants to cut what it calls illegal precious metals exports.

Continue reading the main story found in concentrations high crust of the planet, but difficult and expensive to extractUsed for green technology, such as cars charged the battery and wind turbines; in laptops, flat screen televisions and mobile phones; for lasers. and for medical equipment, such as scansDemand MRI has increased dramatically in the recent yearsThey include: Scandium. Yttrium. Lanthanum; Cerium; Praseodymium; Neodymium. Promethium; Samarium; Europium. Gadolinium; Terbium; Dysprosium; Holmium; Erbium; Thulium; Ytterbium. Lutetium 'Crack down' a directive issued on a Government website said it will be resolutely "cracking down on illegal exports and the smuggling of rare earth."

China will be Cap its total production of oxides rare d tonnes this year - an increase of 5% in 2010.

Some industry experts indicate illegal rare earth exports have amounted to up to 10 000 tonnes of supply last year, more than 10% of cap this year.

The Chinese Government, says that he needs to limit exports of rare earth which produces increasingly more sophisticated products to protect the environment and the Chinese industry.

However, the move has angered countries such as the Japan dependent on imports and have seen the cost of the goods they produce rise.

In the United States and the Australia mines were reopened to increase supply outside of China, while the Canada and the Brazil are also seeking to increase their production.