For least seven key rare earths - including praseodymium, used in magnets, and yttrium, used in ceramics - China was a net importer in 2018 for the first time in more than 30 years.
Indonesian state miner PT Aneka Tambang (Antam) targets to start operation of its ferronickel smelter in East Halmahera in the second half of this year.
The asset's reserves as at December 31, 2018 increased 4% to 1.9 million tonnes grading 11 grams per tonne of gold for 688,000 ounces, while measured and indicated resources increased 7% to 3.5Mt from a year earlier.