I just read articles from other writers who often reference Rare
Industrial or Technical Metals as Rare earth metals. I must take
the time and clean up the problem. I handle RIMs and REEs on a
regular basis. The 2 might both be regarded as metals but that is
where the similarities end.
First we now have REEs or Rare earth metals. These metals consist of 17 metals, the Lanthanides plus Scandium and Yttrium about the periodic table of the elements. These metals will be in a powder form, making them hard to assay and store. One important aspect that's often mentioned is because they aren't rare. This is extremely true, but finding REEs in large deposits is tough.
In the mining sector REE mines are standalone mines, that concentrate on the mining and refining of REEs exclusively. Currently around 97% of most REEs are mined and refined in China. Historically REE mining and refining has been a dirty business, which has affected environmental surroundings across the mines. The weather Thorium and Uranium are often found along with the REEs within the deposits resulting in the slurry to be slightly radioactive when processed. The use of highly toxic acids through the processing also can have serious environmental impact. Many companies are attempting to open REE mines but they are meeting headwinds, as nations and individuals don't need these mines inside their backyard.
Throughout the last several years China has dramatically cut its export of REEs. This and also the increased requirement for REEs have caused a meteoric surge in the value of these metals. The main one area that not many people speak about will be the role with the media coupled with speculators in raising the value of REE ETF´s particularly. For the last couple years REEs were the rock stars of the metals. What is the news has calmed lately, but the demand and supply factors that caused the metals to soar remain set up. Recently China closed its BaoTao mine until REE prices stabilize.
rare earth element stocks
Rare Industrial Metals, RIM´s or Technical metals are another group entirely. The RIM´s are made up of metals found in over 80% of most products we experience every day basis. Without these metals you would not have the realm of the 21st century with this mobile phones, hybrid cars, lcd TV´s, highly efficient solar energy and computers. Many of these metals include Indium, Tellurium, Gallium, Tantalum and Hafnium. These metals are really rare when compared to Rare Earth Metals which causes significant amounts of confusion. These metals have been in a metallic form, stable and easy to store and ship.
RIM´s are mined like a by-product of base or common metal mining. For example Tellurium is really a by-product of Copper mining and Gallium can be a by-product of Aluminum and Zinc mining. The mining with the RIM´s currently are for the most part at the mercy of the markets for that base or common metal mining. In the event the Copper mines around the globe decide to cut production because of Copper losing value, this will have a huge effect on how much Tellurium that may be refined. Up until now, because of the previous small size of the RIM market, many companies do not wish to get money into better technology to mine and refine these metals. The RIM´s will have to be valued higher to get the interest with the mining industry.
When China cut exports of REEs they also cut exports of RIM´s. This put pressure on the price of these metals. RIM´s have raised in value, but nowhere nearby the meteoric rise from the REEs. Most of the metals increased in value around 47% in 2010 and 25% up to now this year. There is still plenty of room for growth in the need for these metals (not based on speculation like REEs) as demand is exceeding supply now and in the long run.
rare earth element stocks
For instance, when REEs and the stock exchange recently fell sharply the RIM´s reduced slightly in value but have held their own well. On a further note, in accordance with Knut Andersen of Swiss Metal Assets, ¨Even though prices with the Rare Industrial Metals still go up in value, consumers will eventually only view a very small increase in the cost of the end products, since there is so very little of every metal utilized to produce the products. Also if the folks can´t afford a smartphone they'll still buy less costly phones that still utilize the same Rare Industrial Metals¨.
The requirement for RIM´s has risen sharply over time and will keep growing at astronomical rates. China, India, Latin america as well as the whole of Africa with vast sums of new individuals are now buying and taking advantage of computers and cell phones to mention just a few products.
The future is bright for the technologies as well as the Rare Industrial Metals that will make them work and then for anyone who participates in stockpiling these metals now to satisfy future increased demand.
First we now have REEs or Rare earth metals. These metals consist of 17 metals, the Lanthanides plus Scandium and Yttrium about the periodic table of the elements. These metals will be in a powder form, making them hard to assay and store. One important aspect that's often mentioned is because they aren't rare. This is extremely true, but finding REEs in large deposits is tough.
In the mining sector REE mines are standalone mines, that concentrate on the mining and refining of REEs exclusively. Currently around 97% of most REEs are mined and refined in China. Historically REE mining and refining has been a dirty business, which has affected environmental surroundings across the mines. The weather Thorium and Uranium are often found along with the REEs within the deposits resulting in the slurry to be slightly radioactive when processed. The use of highly toxic acids through the processing also can have serious environmental impact. Many companies are attempting to open REE mines but they are meeting headwinds, as nations and individuals don't need these mines inside their backyard.
Throughout the last several years China has dramatically cut its export of REEs. This and also the increased requirement for REEs have caused a meteoric surge in the value of these metals. The main one area that not many people speak about will be the role with the media coupled with speculators in raising the value of REE ETF´s particularly. For the last couple years REEs were the rock stars of the metals. What is the news has calmed lately, but the demand and supply factors that caused the metals to soar remain set up. Recently China closed its BaoTao mine until REE prices stabilize.
rare earth element stocks
Rare Industrial Metals, RIM´s or Technical metals are another group entirely. The RIM´s are made up of metals found in over 80% of most products we experience every day basis. Without these metals you would not have the realm of the 21st century with this mobile phones, hybrid cars, lcd TV´s, highly efficient solar energy and computers. Many of these metals include Indium, Tellurium, Gallium, Tantalum and Hafnium. These metals are really rare when compared to Rare Earth Metals which causes significant amounts of confusion. These metals have been in a metallic form, stable and easy to store and ship.
RIM´s are mined like a by-product of base or common metal mining. For example Tellurium is really a by-product of Copper mining and Gallium can be a by-product of Aluminum and Zinc mining. The mining with the RIM´s currently are for the most part at the mercy of the markets for that base or common metal mining. In the event the Copper mines around the globe decide to cut production because of Copper losing value, this will have a huge effect on how much Tellurium that may be refined. Up until now, because of the previous small size of the RIM market, many companies do not wish to get money into better technology to mine and refine these metals. The RIM´s will have to be valued higher to get the interest with the mining industry.
When China cut exports of REEs they also cut exports of RIM´s. This put pressure on the price of these metals. RIM´s have raised in value, but nowhere nearby the meteoric rise from the REEs. Most of the metals increased in value around 47% in 2010 and 25% up to now this year. There is still plenty of room for growth in the need for these metals (not based on speculation like REEs) as demand is exceeding supply now and in the long run.
rare earth element stocks
For instance, when REEs and the stock exchange recently fell sharply the RIM´s reduced slightly in value but have held their own well. On a further note, in accordance with Knut Andersen of Swiss Metal Assets, ¨Even though prices with the Rare Industrial Metals still go up in value, consumers will eventually only view a very small increase in the cost of the end products, since there is so very little of every metal utilized to produce the products. Also if the folks can´t afford a smartphone they'll still buy less costly phones that still utilize the same Rare Industrial Metals¨.
The requirement for RIM´s has risen sharply over time and will keep growing at astronomical rates. China, India, Latin america as well as the whole of Africa with vast sums of new individuals are now buying and taking advantage of computers and cell phones to mention just a few products.
The future is bright for the technologies as well as the Rare Industrial Metals that will make them work and then for anyone who participates in stockpiling these metals now to satisfy future increased demand.
