Lithium giant’s wobble shows meeting demand growth not so easy

Just as the Bronze Age catapulted human civilization to new levels, critical metals are changing the way we live today. Rare earth elements, the group of resources used in the production of several high-tech goods from weapons to cell phones, seem to be leading the way. But why are these elements so important and what exactly are they? The folks at Visual Capitalist have put together one of their famous infographic explaining just that.

Mining companies would give their eye teeth to exploit Afghanistan’s recently discovered $1 trillion of untapped mineral wealth, but analysts warn that corruption, war and lack of infrastructure are likely to keep delaying a mining boom in the country.

Disputes between China and Japan over offshore territory have proceeded a step further with both countries competing for exploratory licenses to large swathes of the Pacific Ocean floor.

Malaysia's Atomic Energy Licensing Board granted a temporary licence for an initial two-year period under strict safety requirements.

India is already building a rare-earth mineral processing plant in the east coast state of Orissa and will invest $135 million in a new exploration ship and the refurbishing of another vessel to mine minerals under its oceans.

Molycorp Inc. (NYSE:MCP) has announced that its new Project Phoenix heavy rare earth concentrate facilities situated at Mountain Pass in California have […]

The identified area is the second coastal stretch in Odisha, where deposits of rare earth minerals have been found.

Molycorp recovered somewhat on Monday after a brutal Friday when the rare earth miner was beaten down 11.8% – it was also one of the most actively traded stocks on the NYSE – after an analyst raised doubts about its Mountain Pass mine ramp-up plans.

Downstream companies are playing a wait and see game, hoping to capitalize if rare earth prices decline further.