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Rare earth metals Aren't the same As Rare Industrial Metals
Start:
Feb 21, 2012 12:00 AM
End:
Feb 21, 2012 12:00 AM
I just read articles off their writers who often reference Rare Industrial or Technical Metals as Rare Earth elements. I have to take the time and clear up the matter. I handle RIMs and REEs on a regular basis. The two might both be regarded as metals but that's 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 with the elements. These metals are in a powder form, making them challenging to assay and store. One important aspect that's often mentioned is because they are not rare. This is true, but finding REEs in large deposits is tough. In the mining sector REE mines are standalone mines, that target the mining and refining of REEs exclusively. Currently around 97% of all REEs are mined and delicate in China. Historically REE mining and refining has become a dirty business, which has affected the surroundings across the mines. The weather Thorium and Uranium are often found along with the REEs within the deposits causing the slurry to become slightly radioactive when processed. Using highly toxic acids throughout the processing may also have serious environmental impact. Most companies want to open REE mines but they're meeting headwinds, as nations the ones don't want these mines in their backyard. Throughout the last few years China has dramatically cut its export of REEs. This and also the increased need for REEs have caused a meteoric rise in value of these metals. Usually the one area that not many people talk about is the role of the media combined with speculators in raising the value of REE ETF´s specifically. Going back couple years REEs were the rock stars with the metals. This news has calmed as of late, nevertheless the supply and demand factors that caused the metals to soar are still in place. Recently China closed its BaoTao mine until REE prices stabilize. http://www.absolutewealth.com/rare-earth-element-stocks/ Rare Industrial Metals, RIM´s or Technical metals are another group entirely. The RIM´s are made up of metals utilized in over 80% of all products we experience every day basis. Without these metals you would not have the realm of the 21st century with our cell phones, compounds, flat screen TV´s, highly efficient solar energy and computers. Many of these metals include Indium, Tellurium, Gallium, Tantalum and Hafnium. These metals are really rare compared to the 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 being a by-product of base or common metal mining. As an example Tellurium is really a by-product of Copper mining and Gallium is a by-product of Aluminum and Zinc mining. The mining of the RIM´s currently are for the most part subject to the markets for that base or common metal mining. In the event the Copper mines of the world opt to cut production as a result of Copper losing value, this may get this amazing impact on the amount of Tellurium which can be refined. Alternatives, as a result of previous small size of the RIM market, many companies don't wish to invest money into better technology to mine and refine these metals. The RIM´s would need to be valued much higher to get the eye of the mining industry. When China cut exports of REEs additionally they cut exports of RIM´s. This put pressure around the worth of these metals. RIM´s have raised in value, but nowhere near the meteoric rise of the REEs. Most of the metals increased in value around 47% this season and 25% so far in 2011. There's still lots of room for development in the need for these metals (not depending on speculation like REEs) as demand is exceeding supply now and in the long run. http://www.absolutewealth.com/rare-earth-element-stocks/ As an example, when REEs and also the stock exchange recently fell sharply the RIM´s reduced slightly in value but have held their own very well. Over a further note, in accordance with Knut Andersen of Swiss Metal Assets, ¨Even though prices of the Rare Industrial Metals still go up in value, consumers will eventually only visit a tiny boost in the buying price of the end products, since there is so little of each metal utilized to produce these products. And if the folks can´t afford a smartphone they are going to still buy less costly phones that still make use of the same Rare Industrial Metals¨. The need for RIM´s has risen sharply over time and definately will continue to grow at astronomical rates. China, India, South usa and also the whole of Africa with hundreds of millions of latest people are now buying and taking advantage of computers and cell phones to call only a few products. The near future is bright for your technologies and the Rare Industrial Metals that make them work and for anybody who participates in stockpiling these metals now to fulfill future increased demand. Updated: February 20, 2012 03:05 PM PST
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