Japan Calls On China To Cancel Export Restrictions On Rare Earths As Soon As Possible

China launched a new total quota of rare earth exports earlier this year, and the Ministry of Commerce has commissioned the Minmetals association to convene a symposium for major rare earth enterprises, making it clear that the quota for rare earth exports may be further reduced next year.

In fact, since last year, China has strengthened control over the rare earth industry.

In the opinion issued by the State Council on the promotion of enterprise merger and reorganization in September 6th, the rare earth was first included in the catalogue of annexation and reorganization, and together with automobiles, steel, cement and so on, it became the six leading industries with low centralization supported by the government.

In 2009, China's rare earth reserves amounted to 36 million tons, accounting for 36% of the world's total, and its output was 120 thousand tons, accounting for 97% of world output.

In sharp contrast to China, the United States had 13 million tons of rare earth reserves in 2009, accounting for 13% of the world's total, while the output was zero. Russia's reserves were 19 million tons, accounting for 19% of the world's total output, and its output was zero; Australia's reserves were 5 million 400 thousand tons, and its output was zero; India's reserves were 3 million 100 thousand tons, accounting for 3% of the world's total, 2700 tons of output, accounting for 2% of the world's total.

At present, the number of rare earths exported to China reaches 50 thousand tons per year (legitimate exports), and the major application powers are Japan, Europe and North America.

At the same time, the application of rare earth in China is also actively developing, accounting for 70 thousand tons.

In China, the actual input amount of the actual mineral resources per year is about 150 thousand tons, which has not changed significantly in recent years.