Nickel

TORONTO, Nov. 18, 2011 /CNW/ - Great Lakes Nickel Limited ("GLN" or the Corporation") is pleased to announce that it signed an agreement today with Rio Tinto Exploration Canada Inc. ("RTEC") regarding an option by RTEC to acquire a 100% undivided interest in certain mining properties located in Pardee Township, Ontario (the "Pardee Property"). The basic terms of the agreement are that RTEC may exercise the option upon paying $5,500,000 to the Corporation over the course of seven (7) years, at which time it will grant the Corporation a 2% net smelter returns royalty.

Wind turbine manufacturers are scrambling to find alternatives to a key element used in direct-drive permanent magnet generators (PMGs), thanks to skyrocketing prices and diminishing supplies of crucial rare earths. China currently provides 94% of the world's rare earths, including neodymium and dysprosium, which are used in the magnets for direct-drive wind turbine motors. However, the Chinese government has put new restrictions on rare-earth mining that have resulted in lower supply levels, according to a report from research firm Roskill Information Services (RIS).

The prices of rare earth elements, which have enjoyed a three-year run, are dropping rapidly, reports New York Times. The reason, says The Times, is on the manufacturing side, as big companies in the US, Europe and Japan that use REES in manufacturing move operations to China, draw down inventories, and look for lower-cost substitutes: International prices for some light rare earths, like cerium and lanthanum, used in the polishing of flat-screen televisions and the refining of oil, respectively, have fallen as much as two-thirds since August and are still dropping. Prices have declined by roughly one-third since then for highly magnetic rare earths, like neodymium, needed for products like smartphones, computers and large wind turbines.

A new European study says supply shortfalls of rare-earth elements over the next two decades put at risk the EU's ambitious plans to expand the production of solar, wind and green transport technologies and implement carbon-capture systems. According to the EU's Joint Research Centre, solar will require half the current world supply of tellurium and 25% of the supply of indium, while Europe’s wind energy programme which is supposed to power all of the continents 240 million households within 20 years need a steady supply of neodymium and dysprosium. China controls 95% of the globe's rare earth output in 2010 produced more solar panels than the rest of the world combined.

TORONTO, ONTARIO--(Marketwire - Nov. 15, 2011) - Frontier Rare Earths Limited (TSX:FRO)(TSX:FRO.WT) is pleased to provide an update on operational progress at its Zandkopsdrift rare earth element project in South Africa and related corporate activities. "We are very encouraged by the progress of work on the preliminary economic assessment for our flagship Zandkopsdrift project, and expect to announce the results early next year," said Mr. James Kenny, President and CEO of Frontier Rare Earths. "We believe that the PEA will clearly demonstrate the significant economic potential of Zandkopsdrift and this will leave Frontier well positioned to become one of the major producers of rare earths globally commencing in 2015."

Japan's top nickel producer, Sumitomo Metal Mining Co., is predicting a glut in the supply of the metal. Bloomberg reports a global nickel surplus may soar in 2012 to the highest in four years as Europe’s debt crisis and a sluggish U.S. economy cuts demand: Supply will likely exceed demand by 54,000 metric tons in 2012, the biggest surplus since 2008, said Toru Higo, Sumitomo Metal Mining Co.’s general manager of nickel sales and raw materials. Demand outstripped supply by 63,000 tons last year, the first deficit since 2006, before moving to a surplus of 11,000 tons this year, Higo said.

Katanga Mining announced on Friday it has secured $635.5 million in new loan facilities from parent Glencore International to fund the expansion of its Democratic Republic of Congo copper-cobalt mine. The Toronto-listed firm wants to bump copper production to 270,000 tonnes per annum and thereafter bump it up to 310,000 tonnes from cash flow. The company is already ramping up copper production with financials results also out on Friday showing year to date copper in ore mined was 157,658 tonnes, a 96% increase over 2010. Cobalt produced fell 30% to 593 tonnes, but that was in line with expectations. Katanga says with the expansion the DRC complex it could become Africa's largest producer of copper and the world's number one cobalt mine.

A temporary production stoppage by China's largest rare earth exporter makes the creation of an American rare earth stockpile more likely, according to a report by dealReporter that appeared in yesterday's FT. The stoppage was a "wake-up call" for the US Department of Defense because the rare earth elements are needed for a variety of defense applications, writes dealReporter, citing a congressional source. The article quotes congressional sources and three rare earth companies saying that "the creation of a US rare earth strategic reserve is more likely to get the go-ahead after (Inner Mongolia Baotou Steel Rare-Earth (SHA:600111)) halted production. Such a move would create another source of demand for the metals, likely aiding a rebirth of the US rare earths industry."

Minmetals is not finished acquiring companies to add to its stable of base metal mines, according to Bloomberg. The state-run Chinese miner, with operations in Australia and Laos, a month ago snapped up Anvil Mining for $1.3 billion, thus expanding its reach into Africa. Anvil’s key asset is the Kinsevere mine, located in the Democratic Republic of Congo. Bloomberg reports the firm is planning more takeovers because it needs to extend the life of its mines and boost valuations. Minmetals' stock is undervalued compared to other comparable raw materials producers and consummating more deals would help raise its valuation, says the story, quoting a manager at First Asset Investment Management Inc.: