Cobalt

Global supplies of rare earth elements have been threatened ever since China imposed export quotas in mid-2010. In the aftermath, increased attention was drawn to potential producers like MolyCorp and Lynas Corporation, while the sector was viewed in need of a savior outside of China. Among the juniors aiming to join the fray, Medallion Resources has proposed a unique strategy to gain low-cost production in the very near term.

With confirmation of the discovery of two strategic minerals, vanadium and graphite, Energizer Resources says it "is now well positioned to move forward to mine development"

Reuters reports that Toyota has developed a technology to substitute rare earths used in its hybrid vehicles. The company, which has a strong lead in environmentally friendlier car sales around the world said it would be able to bring the technology to market within two years if REE prices don't fall.

The share price performance of those non-Chinese rare earth miners closest to production – Molycorp in the US, Australia's Lynas and Great Western Minerals in South Africa – is in stark contrast to what is happening to rare earth oxide prices, some of which have more than halved over the last three months.

Namibia Rare Earths (TSX: NRE) is pleased to announce that a 6,000 meter diamond drilling program has started with two drill rigs focused on the delineation of a first mineral resource from Area 4 on the Lofdal Rare Earth Project in northwestern Namibia. Concurrent with the drilling program, an induced polarization geophysical survey will be undertaken over prospective extensions of the favourable heavy rare earth-enriched structure emanating from Area 4. The drilling program is scheduled to be completed by the end of April with delivery of the NI 43-101 compliant mineral resource report in the third quarter of 2012.

VANCOUVER, BRITISH COLUMBIA--(Marketwire - Jan. 18, 2012) - Baja Mining (TSX:BAJ)(OTCQX:BAJFF) today announced that its 70 per cent-owned Mexican subsidiary, Minera y Metalurgica del Boleo S.A de C.V. (MMB) drew a further US$ 100 million on January 17, 2012, the third draw on its senior debt facilities to date.

HALIFAX, NOVA SCOTIA--(Marketwire - Jan. 16, 2012) - Ucore Rare Metals Inc (TSX VENTURE:UCU)(OTCQX:UURAF) is pleased to announce results of reconnaissance sampling on the Company's extensive alluvial rare earths (REE) and tin multi-metal property holdings in the Ray Mountains area of central Alaska

Elissa Resources ("Elissa" or the "Company") (TSX VENTURE:ELI)(OTCQX:ELSRF)(PINKSHEETS:ELSRF) reports that drilling has commenced at its 100%- owned Thor heavy and light rare earth element (REE) project in Nevada. Multiple diamond core drill holes will initially target the Lopez Trend, a 1.6-mile (2.6-km) long REE-bearing monazite structure that is coincident with a prominent magnetic anomaly.

German mining and commodity group Deutsche Rohstoff AG said on Wednesday it will develop mining operations in east Germany to exploit estimated deposits of 38,000 tonnes of rare earths.