The Great Graphite Supply Shakeup: Simon Moores
Source: Alec Gimurtu of The Critical Metals Report  (9/25/12)
Investors who remember the lithium boom (and bust) a few years ago may be twice shy to enter a space with big upside potential tied to electric vehicles. But the parallels between graphite and lithium are superficial, insists Simon Moores, analyst with Industrial Minerals. Graphite, unlike lithium, supplies layers of demand, with reliable end-users in the steel industry. Meanwhile, China's production lull is making way for market entrants. In this exclusive interview with The Critical Metals Report, Moores profiles graphite miners around the world competing for the market's attention. More >

Malaysia Court Puts Lynas Rare Earth Plant Licence on Hold
Source: Reuters, Siva Sithraputhran  (9/25/12)
"Activists and opponents of the controversial rare earth plant in Kuantan say the high court has put Lynas' temporary operating license on hold." More >

A TV as Thin as Saran Wrap Is Just the Beginning for These New Materials
Source: Michael A. Robinson, Money Morning  (9/24/12)
"Discovered in 2004, this graphene has turned the world on its ear. Since then, experts around the globe have heralded it as the hot new commodity that could change everything from satellites to semiconductors. But it's only a part of a larger story that includes other 'miracle metals.'" More >

Copper Hits 4.5-Month High as Bank of Japan Adds to Stimulus Rally
Source: Reuters, Melanie Burton  (9/19/12)
"Traders said the BOJ's move had boosted price expectations for metals, which tend to rise in value as paper currency depreciates, while the price rise also forced shorts to cover as trading in Europe began." More >

Research Gives Insight into Graphene-Metal Junctions
Source: R&D Daily  (9/19/12)
"A University of Arkansas researcher and his colleagues have developed a better understanding of how graphene-metal interfaces affect the movement of electrons through two-terminal junctions." More >

The Astounding Rise of Western Rare Earth Extraction: Jack Lifton
Source: JT Long of The Critical Metals Report  (9/18/12)
Got a rare earth deposit? Great. Got a mine? Even better. But do you have a processing plant? No? That could be a problem. The market doesn't understand how complex and expensive solid-phase rare earth extraction can be, but Metals Consultant Jack Lifton is here to put it into layman's terms in this exclusive interview with The Critical Metals Report. Lifton discusses processing innovations from North America, Germany and India that are changing the cost picture. He even names some companies that could see huge changes in their bottom lines in the coming years. More >

UAF Tapped to Research Rare Earth Minerals
Source: Fairbanks Daily News-Miner  (9/15/12)
"The UAF Minerals Industry Research Laboratory received a $297,000 contract to identify the best techniques for processing rare earth minerals, along with the best ways to handle waste rock." More >

Five Must-Haves for Junior Mining Companies: Aleksandra Bukacheva
Source: Brian Sylvester of The Gold Report  (9/14/12)
Valuation disconnects among producers, rising gold price and juniors facing funding crunches are among the factors fueling a spate of M&A activity. In her first exclusive Gold Report interview, Aleksandra (Sasha) Bukacheva, a mining research analyst with Fraser Mackenzie in Toronto, shares her list of likely targets and suitors in the zinc, copper and precious metals spaces. More >

Vanadium Oxide Bronze: A New Material for the Computing Industry?
Source: R&D Magazine  (9/14/12)
"The reason that these nanowires are so special is that they perform a rare trick: When exposed to an applied voltage near room temperature, the wires transform from insulators that are resistant to carrying electricity to metals that more readily conduct electricity." More >

China's Stockpile Effort Could Stabilize Rare Earth Metals Prices: Brandon Tirpak
Source: Sally Lowder of The Critical Metals Report  (9/11/12)
In the next few weeks, China's government will begin stockpiling roughly ¥6B worth of rare earth elements. Does this mean a price floor is imminent? That's what Asian Metal Analyst Brandon Tirpak expects, noting that price decline rates are already tapering off. In this exclusive interview with The Critical Metals Report, Tirpak shares his first-hand impressions of rare earth projects set to shine as leadership around the globe goes resource shopping. More >

India Boosts Rare Earth Production
Source: Shivom Seth, Mineweb  (9/10/12)
"As China tightens the noose on rare earth exports, India is set to commence operations at its 10 Kt monazite processing plant in the eastern state of Odisha." More >

Korea's KORES Inks Greenland Rare Earth Exploration Deal
Source: Reuters  (9/10/12)
"The deal, signed during a visit to Greenland by South Korean President Lee Myung-bak on Sunday, reflects growing Asian interest in the minerals of the North Atlantic island." More >

Don't Push the Panic Button on Rare Earths: Lisa Reisman
Source: Brian Sylvester of The Critical Metals Report  (9/4/12)
Lisa Reisman describes herself as a "classic libertarian," but the managing editor of MetalMiner.com nonetheless believes government has a role to play in protecting and developing domestic supplies of critical metals. In this exclusive Critical Metals Report interview, Reisman argues for private/public partnerships and explains why today's low prices don't faze her—or surprise her. More >

China's Rare Earth May Become a Bit Less Rare
Source: The Street, Ralph Jennings   (8/31/12)
"The kinder export quota will make little impact over the next two to eight years as offshore competitors—potentially solid investments—have already started to develop better processing technology." More >

Molycorp Announces Start up at First US Heavy Rare Earth Concentrates Facility
Source: Dorothy Kosich, Mineweb  (8/29/12)
"Although China now produces 99% of the world's heavy rare earth supplies, Molycorp's Mountain Pass facility is about to become the first U.S. heavy rare earths concentrate processor." More >

It's Game On for Rare Earths in Greenland: Rick Mills
Source: Sally Lowder of The Critical Metals Report  (8/28/12)
Far from icebound, Greenland is wealthy in rare earth elements, precious metals and oil. Already, says Aheadoftheherd.com owner Rick Mills, companies are beginning to outline major discoveries at just pennies a share. And that's just the tip of the iceberg. Read more in this exclusive interview with The Critical Metals Report. More >

Are the Precious Metals Sending a Signal?
Source: Tracey Ryniec, Zacks Investment Research  (8/28/12)
"The precious metals are moving back into the spotlight. After being left for dead by Wall Street several months ago, gold and silver are at four-month highs." More >

This Rare Earth Junior Is Beginning to Outperform
Source: Jeb Handwerger, Gold Stock Trades  (8/27/12)
"Ucore's use of Solid Phase Extraction technology could mark the first time dysprosium is produced on American soil." More >

Why Graphite Is a Critical Material for the US
Source: MetalMiner, Taras Berezowsky  (8/24/12)
"According to a Canaccord research report, 'annual flake graphite production will have to increase by a factor of six by 2020 to meet incremental lithium carbonate requirements for batteries.'" More >

Final Chinese Rare-Earth Export Quotas for 2012
Source: Gareth Hatch, Resource Investor  (8/24/12)
"Could export quotas be eliminated altogether for Chinese rare earth materials?" More >

China Likely to Boost Rare Earths Imports
Source: Reuters, Fayen Wong  (8/22/12)
"China, the world's largest producer and consumer of rare earths, should boost imports of the materials due to growing demand and to protect domestic resources, the China Daily reported on Wednesday, citing senior industry officials." More >

Big Flakes Finish First in the Graphite Market
Source: JT Long of The Critical Metals Report  (8/21/12)
Flakes are king in the graphite space, where large flake commands a substantial premium. But the path to production can be long and twisted, with many moving parts. Resource and tech investor Ron Struthers met up with The Critical Metals Report and walked us through the funhouse of graphite investment. Read on to find out which companies look good in every mirror. More >

Copper Prices Signaling a Top in the S&P 500
Source: Chris Vermeulen, The Gold and Oil Guy  (8/20/12)
"Recently, copper futures prices have been trading in a relatively tight range, but the longer-term weekly chart demonstrates that a major selloff could transpire." More >

More Rare Earth Players Expected
Source: China Daily, Wang Zhuoqiong  (8/18/12)
"China's preeminent position in rare earths exports is likely to change after a couple of mining operations in the United States and Australia begin to produce the materials next year." More >

Rare Earth Production Lull Hits South China
Source: China Daily  (8/17/12)
"Rare earth production is in the doldrums in many Chinese provinces, including the southern province of Guangdong, which is a major rare earth producer."
More >