EU Looks to Stockpile Rare Earths, Molycorp Silmet Says

Reuters reports the European Union is considering stockpiling rare earth mixed carbonate  China restricts global supply.

The market news is quoted as saying,

Western rare earth suppliers have been scrambling to boost production to plug a supply gap created last year when No. 1 producer China sharply cut its exports of the metals, used in products ranging from laptop computers to hybrid-electric cars.

A Molycorp Chief Executive, David O’Brock says,

I have been approached by the EU about stockpiling. There is a task force that is looking over strategic materials and they have contacted me. They were surprised that we do tantalum and niobium, which are also strategic materials

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