I read articles from other writers who often reference Rare
Industrial or Technical Metals as Rare Earth elements. I must take
the time and clean up the problem. I handle RIMs and REEs on a
regular basis. The 2 might both be looked at 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 around the periodic table with the elements. These metals have been in a powder form, making them hard to assay and store. One important aspect that's often mentioned is they aren't rare. This is extremely true, but finding REEs in large deposits is tough.
Inside the mining sector REE mines are standalone mines, that target the mining and refining of REEs exclusively. Currently around 97% of most REEs are mined and delicate in China. Historically REE mining and refining has become a dirty business, which has affected environmental surroundings across the mines. The weather Thorium and Uranium tend to be 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 trying to open REE mines but they are meeting headwinds, as nations and individuals don't want these mines within their backyard.
During 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 may 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, nevertheless the demand and supply factors that caused the metals to soar continue to be 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 use on every day basis. Without these metals you will not have the realm of the Modern day with our cellphones, hybrid cars, lcd TV´s, highly efficient solar technology and computers. Many of these metals include Indium, Tellurium, Gallium, Tantalum and Hafnium. These metals are really rare when compared to Rare Earth Metals that causes significant amounts of confusion. These metals are in a metallic form, stable and straightforward to store and ship.
RIM´s are mined as 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 may have a huge effect on the quantity of Tellurium that may be refined. Up until now, as a result of previous small sized the RIM market, most companies do not wish to take a position money into better technology to mine and refine these metals. The RIM´s will have to be valued much higher to get the interest with the mining industry.
When China cut exports of REEs in addition they cut exports of RIM´s. This put pressure about the price of these metals. RIM´s have increased 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 in 2011. 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 particular very well. Over a further note, in accordance with Knut Andersen of Swiss Metal Assets, ¨Even though prices with the Rare Industrial Metals continue to go up in value, consumers could eventually only view a very small increase in the buying price 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 also 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 consumers are now buying and using computers and mobile phones to mention just a few products.
The long run is bright for the technologies and also the Rare Industrial Metals that will make them work and then for anyone who participates in stockpiling these metals now to meet future increased demand.
First we now have REEs or Rare earth metals. These metals consist of 17 metals, the Lanthanides plus Scandium and Yttrium around the periodic table with the elements. These metals have been in a powder form, making them hard to assay and store. One important aspect that's often mentioned is they aren't rare. This is extremely true, but finding REEs in large deposits is tough.
Inside the mining sector REE mines are standalone mines, that target the mining and refining of REEs exclusively. Currently around 97% of most REEs are mined and delicate in China. Historically REE mining and refining has become a dirty business, which has affected environmental surroundings across the mines. The weather Thorium and Uranium tend to be 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 trying to open REE mines but they are meeting headwinds, as nations and individuals don't want these mines within their backyard.
During 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 may 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, nevertheless the demand and supply factors that caused the metals to soar continue to be 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 use on every day basis. Without these metals you will not have the realm of the Modern day with our cellphones, hybrid cars, lcd TV´s, highly efficient solar technology and computers. Many of these metals include Indium, Tellurium, Gallium, Tantalum and Hafnium. These metals are really rare when compared to Rare Earth Metals that causes significant amounts of confusion. These metals are in a metallic form, stable and straightforward to store and ship.
RIM´s are mined as 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 may have a huge effect on the quantity of Tellurium that may be refined. Up until now, as a result of previous small sized the RIM market, most companies do not wish to take a position money into better technology to mine and refine these metals. The RIM´s will have to be valued much higher to get the interest with the mining industry.
When China cut exports of REEs in addition they cut exports of RIM´s. This put pressure about the price of these metals. RIM´s have increased 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 in 2011. 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 particular very well. Over a further note, in accordance with Knut Andersen of Swiss Metal Assets, ¨Even though prices with the Rare Industrial Metals continue to go up in value, consumers could eventually only view a very small increase in the buying price 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 also 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 consumers are now buying and using computers and mobile phones to mention just a few products.
The long run is bright for the technologies and also the Rare Industrial Metals that will make them work and then for anyone who participates in stockpiling these metals now to meet future increased demand.