In lithium hot spot, ghost towns recall another boom gone bust

IAMGOLD Corporation (TSX:IMG)(NYSE:IAG) today announced the results of an independently prepared NI 43-101 compliant preliminary economic assessment ("PEA") on the company's wholly-owned Niobec niobium mine in the province of Quebec, Canada. The PEA shows a significant increase in the measured, indicated and inferred mineral resource estimates at Niobec with the potential for a significant production expansion. The PEA examined the impact of changing the existing underground mine to an alternative bulk mining method. IAMGOLD technical personnel then compared the economics of the open pit scenario and a block caving scenario. The work done on the PEA and the study will be advanced in a 2011 pre-feasibility study to confirm the potential upside of Niobec.

Quantum Rare Earth Developments Corp. (TSX-V:QRE) is pleased to announce the filing of an NI 43-101 resource report on the Elk Creek Carbonatite project in Nebraska. The report specifically deals with the core Niobium zone, and does not reflect results of any of the Rare Earth Element zones also located on the property. The report, prepared by Wardrop, A Tetra Tech Company ("Wardrop") will be available on SEDAR and the Company's website shortly. Image by Quantum Rare Earth Developments Corp.

Japan's imports of rare earths from China rose 40 percent in March from the previous month, Ministry of Finance data showed, with some observers saying demand is so far unaffected by last month's devastating quake though the outlook remains murky.

Quest Rare Minerals Ltd. (TSX VENTURE:QRM) is pleased to report that its Board of Directors has approved funding for a pre-feasibility study […]

Rare earths project developer, Lynas, reckons independent review of its proposed Malaysian processing facility will not pose a delay for project completion.

Geodex has acquired by staking the Jake Lee project covering approximately 3800 hectares located 80km south of Fredericton. Geodex will conduct an exploration program focused on the rare earth elements ("REE") potential with a secondary focus on gold and base metals based on the geology and supported by regional government sampling and assessment report data.

Demand for rare earth metals is likely to continue growing at double digit annual rates for the foreseeable future but, the supply side does not look quite as rosy. According to Molycorp CEO, Mark Smith, while a lot of production has been forecast from a number of small producers, very little of it is likely to come on stream in five years.

Exploration Orbite VSPA has discovered the presence of high-value byproducts such as scandium, gallium and other important rare earth elements in its Grande-Vallée deposit in the Gaspé region of Quebec, all of which offer strong economic potential for the company and for Canada, the company believes.

Exploration Orbite (TSX VENTURE:ORT.A) is pleased to announce the presence of high-value by-products such as scandium, gallium and other important rare earth elements in its Grande-Vallée deposit, all of which offer strong economic potential for the company and for Canada. The Company is also pleased to announce its filing of a provisional U.S. patent application that extends protection for its existing patented technology to the extraction of scandium, gallium and other rare earth elements from aluminous clay.