World’s ‘most beautiful’ electric car to hit the road in 2020

An annual profit of more than $A530 million for the world's biggest rare-earths producer, China's Inner Mongolia Baotou Steel Rare-Earth Hi-Tech Co, a $1.23 billion North American takeover deal, and complaints by the US, EU and Japan to the World Trade Organisation over China's limiting of rare earth exports made March a busy month for the industry.

Japan, the world’s main importer of rare earths, has requested international assistance for alternatives, conservation, diversification and recycling and to continue dialogue with China to secure stable global supply

Most Chinese takeovers in the resource sector do not pose a threat to national security, says the author of a new report on Chinese investment in Canada.

Chris Berry, founder of Mountain Partners asset management company, provided an interesting summary of the graphite space while speaking at the recent Graphite Express Conference in Vancouver.

Greenland Minerals and Energy Limited ("GMEL" or "the Company") (ASX: GGG.AX - News) is pleased to announce the first mineral resource estimate for the 'Zone 2' multi-element deposit. Zone 2 is the second mineral resource established in the broader project area, following the delineation of a 619 Mt resource at Kvanefjeld (March 2011).

The following have all combined to limit control of foreign minerals by US companies:

Focus Metals Inc. ("Focus" or the "Corporation") (TSX VENTURE:FMS)(OTCQX:FCSMF)(FRANKFURT:FKC) and partner SOQUEM Inc. ("SOQUEM") are pleased to report the results of the fall 2011 core drilling program on the Kwyjibo Polymetallic Property (the "Property"), located in the Grenville Geological Province of northeastern Québec (see figure 1).

The U.S., Japan and the European Union have filed an official complaint at the World Trade Organization this morning, urging the body to take actions against China’s restrictions on these metals. President Obama warned China that it would not be allowed to gain a competitive advantage in world trade by "skirting the rules."

Molycorp's mould-breaking deal with Neo Material Technologies sent its shares rocketing in New York on Friday and some industry observers say the tie-up creates a vertically integrated company that will transform the industry. Others see REE prices continuing to drop with some already down 70% and China's grip on the market undiminished – exports could double this year and domestic production continues to ramp up.