Cobalt

The Canadian government followed through on last month's budget promise to streamline environmental reviews of resource projects with a plan for "responsible resource development."

The International Monetary Fund increased its outlook for the world's economy on Tuesday, saying it expects global GDP to expand by 3.5 per cent this year.

Canadian rare earth explorer Pele Mountain Resources Inc. (TSX-V:GEM)(OTCQX:GOLDF) announced today that it has entered into a binding agreement to sell its Highland Gold projects to a wholly owned subsidiary of Prodigy Gold Inc. (TSX-V:PDG) for US$1.8 million.

Canadian rare earths explorer Pele Mountain Resources closed up 18% on Monday after the Toronto company announced an updated PEA on its Eco Ridge project.

The U.S. Defense Department needs to realize the dangerous consequences a potential lack of domestic rare earths may have on the U.S. weapon industry, suggests a latest study by the Congress released last week.

In a scathing new BBC documentary that includes the first ever television interview with CEO Ivan Glasenberg, commodities trader Glencore is accused of allowing dumping of acid into streams, child labour and deadly underground working conditions at its copper-cobalt mine in the Democratic Republic of Congo.

Avalon Rare Metals, whose Nechalacho rare earth prospect in Canada's Northwest Territories is in the midst of a feasibility study, today announced the results of a separate prefeasibility study for the separation plant, to be built in Louisiana.

Rare Element Resources added 2.6% in after hours trade on Thursday after releasing a revised pre-feasibility study at Bear Lodge with improved economics, bringing its gains for the year to 76%.

In what could be considered a slight victory for embattled Australian rare earths miner Lynas Corporation (ASX:LYC), the Malaysian High Court ruled today against a request to review a recent decision to grant the Lynas a temporary licence (TOL) for its processing plant.