http://www.searchminerals.ca/assets/20210308_-_SMY_-_Corporate_Presentation_(PDAC)_(FINAL).pdf

Imperial Mining Group (IMPNF) Scandium is the wave of the future for making Electric Vehicles lightweight. Check out the latest youtube videos with the CEO of IPG Peter Cashin here:

https://www.asiatimesfinancial.com/china-rare-earth-stocks-on-fire

https://www.nytimes.com/2021/02/24/business/biden-supply-chain-executive-order.html

https://www.bnnbloomberg.ca/china-may-ban-rare-earth-technology-exports-on-security-concerns-1.1565765

CHINA MAY BAN RARE EARTH TECHNOLOGY EXPORTS ON SECURITY CONCERN

Hey Buddy!

National company acquires exclusive rights to Purdue rare-earth element innovations, critical for clean energy technologies

https://www.purdue.edu/newsroom/releases/2021/Q1/national-company-acquires-exclusive-rights-to-purdue-rare-earth-element-innovations,-critical-for-clean-energy-technologies.html

The US is taking steps towards breaking China’s rare earths monopoly

REUTERS/STEVE MARCUS
FILE PHOTO: A view of the MP Materials rare earth open-pit mine in Mountain Pass, California, U.S. January 30, 2020. Picture taken January 30, 2020.…

By Mary Hui
Reporter

February 5, 2021
Another rare earths company may soon be going public in the US, presenting new opportunities for private investment in the domestic critical metals industry—a sector that Washington has signaled strong interest in reviving.

Rare earths, a group of 17 metals, are increasingly regarded as an urgent matter of national security given their crucial role in the manufacturing of high-tech products, from weapons to magnets for electric vehicles. While the US used to be a major global producer of the metals, China now dwarfs the US in rare earths production, and is the source of 80% of US rare earth imports (pdf).

USA Rare Earth, which is developing the Round Top rare earths mine in Texas, is exploring a New York listing this year that could value the company at over $1 billion. According to the company, the Round Top project has over a century’s worth of rare earth supplies. With only one mining firm currently producing rare earths in the US, Round Top—which the company hopes to have in operation by 2023—would play a significant role in helping diversify supplies.

With China declaring rare earths a “strategic resource” and recently tightening regulations on the metals, the US faces heightened pressure to secure its supplies. Beijing has not ruled out cutting rare earth exports as a trade weapon. Meanwhile, demand for the metals is projected to increase, propelled by the growing electric vehicle market. Indeed, since 2018 China has been a net importer of rare earths, and is scrambling to even keep up with its own domestic needs—its exports last year dropped to a five-year low.

That’s all the more reason to ensure the US has diverse and reliable sources of rare earths, according to Pini Althaus, CEO of USA Rare Earth. “We’ve got to start doing something immediately to secure the supply chain,” he says. “This is not a trade war, this is simply supply and demand.”

There are also unexpected geopolitical developments that can trigger supply shocks. This week’s military coup in Myanmar, which accounts for roughly 10% of global rare earths production, temporarily sent shares of Chinese rare earth companies surging, driven by fears that instability and US sanctions could disrupt exports.

“A mosaic of actions”
No one company will singlehandedly revive the US’s rare earths industry, but a growing patchwork of firms and policy initiatives is helping the country reduce its reliance on China.

While MP Materials, which operates the only active rare earth mine on American soil and whose shares have more than doubled since listing last November, is technically a USA Rare Earth competitor, Althaus notes that “collaboration is the name of the game here.” For example, rare earths are categorized as “light” or “heavy” based on atomic weight, and MP Materials focuses more on the former while USA Rare Earth is more focused on the latter.

There are other encouraging signs. This week, the Pentagon awarded $30 million in funding to Lynas, an Australian miner and the largest rare earths mining and processing firm outside of China. Lynas will use the money to set up a light rare earths processing plant in Texas, and if successful, the project is expected to produce a quarter of the world’s supply of rare earth oxides. Already, Lynas CEO Amanda Lacaze has said the Biden administration’s support for green technology is a “very good thing” for the firm’s business, given the use of rare earths in electric car motors and wind turbines.

And though the US hopes to restore the entire rare earths supply chain to American soil, the global nature of the industry, and the world economy at large, will invariably mean that different countries’ rare earths industrial chains will still likely criss-cross borders.

For example, MP Materials is almost one-tenth owned by a Chinese company, Shenghe Resources, which essentially buys all of MP Materials’ rare earth concentrates for processing in China. While that arrangement helps the US because the country currently doesn’t have the capacity to do so, it also ends up helping China. In an interview last October (link in Chinese), the chairman of Shenghe Resources noted that a key factor in the firm’s success has been building partnerships with foreign companies.

Meanwhile, US president Joe Biden’s “Buy American” executive order—part of a raft of directives he has signed in the first days in office—explicitly mentions investing in clean energy and critical supply chains. That comes shortly after former president Donald Trump, in his last days in the White House, signed a $2.3 trillion spending package that included $800 million for rare earths programs, in a move that earned support from US miners. And there are currently several bills being considered that would provide tax incentives for the domestic production and purchase of rare earths.

Dan McGroarty, a member of the USA Rare Earth advisory board, said he hopes to see “a mosaic of actions” from the Biden administration with regards to rare earths, from allocating more federal funding to collaborating with other countries like Australia, Canada, and Japan to secure the global supply chain. “There’s going to be a significant degree of continuation and acceleration” from Trump to Biden on critical mineral policies, he said.

https://qz.com/1969069/the-us-takes-steps-to-break-chinas-rare-earths-monopoly/

Pentagon awards $30 million contract to boost processing of rare earth elements
Andrew Eversden
February 1
66

The U.S. is looking to increase domestic rare earth metal production. (Rodger Bosch/AFP via Getty Images)
WASHINGTON — The U.S. Defense Department awarded a $30.4 million contract to boost domestic processing of light rare earth elements as part of an effort to become less dependent on China for critical technologies, the department announced Monday,

The Pentagon awarded the funds to Lynas Rare Earths Limited, the world’s largest rare earth element mining and processing company outside of China. The firm will use the funds to open a processing facility in Hondo, Texas, through its U.S. subsidiary, Lynas USA.

The award is part of a broader push by the department to secure its rare earth supply chain, which is threatened by China’s dominance in the industry, and move more production to the United States. China is the top producer of rare earth metals, which are a critical piece of defense systems like satellites or the F-35 fighter jet.

“The significance of the award is they [the Defense Department] are continuing to march forward and put the pieces of the puzzle back in place so the U.S. will have access to rare earth [elements] to meet national security needs,” said Jeffery Green, president of J.A. Green & Company, a government relations firm that works with the defense industry.

If the project is successful, Lynas would be the producer of about a quarter of the world’s rare earth oxides, or processed rare earth elements. Increasing domestic production of the metals is critical because they are so widespread.

“You’ll find these things in almost every major defense system,” Green told C4ISRNET.

To counter Chinese dominance, the Pentagon in recent years took steps to bring domestic rare earth production back to the United States. According to Reuters, in April last year the department funded the construction of a Lynas heavy rare earth metals facility in Texas, which it built through a joint venture with Texas-based Blue Line Corporation.

In November 2020, the Pentagon announced three Defense Production Act awards with rare earth element producers worth more than $12.5 million in total. The Defense Department’s actions on rare earth elements stems from Executive Order 13817, a Trump administration document directing the government to adopt a strategy for critical minerals.

$MP has preformed very well since their IPO/SPAC deal...

Defense Metals Engages Welsbach Holdings Pte. Ltd. to Advance the Wicheeda Rare Earth Elements Project
Canada NewsWire

VANCOUVER, BC, Feb. 11, 2021

VANCOUVER, BC, Feb. 11, 2021 /CNW/ - Defense Metals Corp. ("Defense Metals") (TSXV: DEFN) (OTCQB: DFMTF) (FSE: 35D) is pleased to announce that it has engaged Welsbach Holdings Pte Ltd. ("Welsbach") to assist in building awareness for its Wicheeda Rare Earth Element (REE) Property ("Wicheeda"), providing physical product market research, introductions to supply chain partners, and assistance in commercial negotiations.

Defense Metals Corp. Logo (CNW Group/Defense Metals Corp.)

The road accessible Wicheeda REE Property is located close to infrastructure approximately 80 kilometres northeast of Prince George, British Columbia (BC). The Wicheeda project has indicated mineral resources of 4,890,000 tonnes averaging 3.02% LREO (Light Rare Earth Elements) and inferred mineral resources of 12,100,000 tonnes averaging 2.90% LREO1. Flotation pilot-plant processing of a 26-tonne bulk sample of Wicheeda REE material yielded a mineral concentrate averaging 7.4% NdPr oxide (neodymium-praseodymium) critical magnet metals2.

Craig Taylor, CEO of Defense Metals, stated: "The engagement of Welsbach will enable Defense Metals to leverage their extensive experience and relationships in the Asia-Pacific region (Australia, Singapore, China, Japan, and South Korea), Continental Europe, and the United States towards engaging in one-on-one discussions with REE refiners and separators. The goal is the successful negotiation of one or more binding commercial REE offtake and/or other supply chain agreements with respect to the Wicheeda REE Deposit. Welsbach will immediately commence its work aiding with respect to strategic partner identification, business introductions, and ultimately commercial negotiations."

Brendan Jephcott, Welsbach's Asia advisory partner said: "We are pleased to engage with Defense Metals Corp. regarding the Wicheeda project. The current global situation requires supply chains to strengthen their resilience and increase their capacity, in order to respond to growing demand. Part of our mission at Welsbach is to support the efforts of junior mining companies and assist them in their commercial processes. Welsbach is a specialist in the Energy Transition Metals Supply Chain and we are keen to bring Defense Metals Corp project to our network of mid and downstream partners".

_____________________________

1 Technical Report on the Wicheeda Property, British Columbia, effective June 27, 2020 and prepared by APEX Geoscience Ltd. (Steven J. Nicholls, B.A. Sc., MAIG and Kristopher J. Raffle, B.Sc., P.Geo) is available under Defense Metals Corp.'s profile on SEDAR (www.sedar.com)

2 See Defense Metals News Release dated September 23, 2020

About Welsbach Holdings Pte Ltd.

For more information regarding Welsbach please click here.

Welsbach invests and develops projects that are related to technology materials and clean energy generation. Welsbach has supply chains partners in the upstream and midstream segments; Welsbach also focuses on R&D solutions for industrial consumers in the downstream segment.

Carl Auer Von "Welsbach" was an Austrian scientist who separated didymium into the elements neodymium and praseodymium in 1885. His work on rare-earth elements led to the development of the ferrocerium "flints" used in modern lighters, the gas mantle, which brought light to the streets of Europe in the late 19th century, and the metal-filament light bulb.

About the Wicheeda REE Property

The 1,708 hectare Wicheeda REE Property, located approximately 80 km northeast of the city of Prince George, British Columbia, is readily accessible by all-weather gravel roads and is nearby to infrastructure, including power transmission lines, the CN railway and major highways.

Geologically, the property is situated in the Foreland Belt and within the Rocky Mountain Trench, a major continental geologic feature. The Foreland Belt contains part of a large alkaline igneous province, stretching from the Canadian Cordillera to the southwestern United States, which includes several carbonatite and alkaline intrusive complexes hosting the Aley (niobium), Rock Canyon (REE), and Wicheeda (REE) deposits.

Qualified Person

The scientific and technical information contained in this news release as it relates to the Wicheeda REE Property has been reviewed and approved by Kristopher J. Raffle, P.Geo. (BC) Principal and Consultant of APEX Geoscience Ltd. of Edmonton, AB, a director of Defense Metals and a "Qualified Person" as defined in National Instrument 43-101 – Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects. Mr. Raffle verified the data disclosed which includes a review of the analytical and test data underlying the information and opinions contained therein.

About Defense Metals Corp.

Defense Metals Corp. is a mineral exploration company focused on the acquisition of mineral deposits containing metals and elements commonly used in the electric power market, military, national security and the production of "GREEN" energy technologies, such as, high strength alloys and rare earth magnets. Defense Metals has an option to acquire 100% of the 1,708 hectare Wicheeda Rare Earth Element Property located near Prince George, British Columbia, Canada. Defense Metals Corp. trades in Canada under the symbol "DEFN" on the TSX Venture Exchange, in the United States, under "DFMTF" on the OTCQB and in Germany on the Frankfurt Exchange under "35D".

$TMRC in the spotlight also...

Some speculation that Fortress #2 SPAC $FAII might be part of the USA deal also...

FEBRUARY 2, 20215:24 PMUPDATED 9 DAYS AGO
Exclusive: USA Rare Earth to explore public offering at value above $1 billion
By Ernest Scheyder

3 MIN READ


(Reuters) - USA Rare Earth LLC has hired bankers to explore going public in a deal that could value the strategic minerals company at more than $1 billion, according to a source familiar with the matter and documents seen by Reuters.

The company, which is developing the Round Top rare earths deposit in Texas, is considering an initial public offering (IPO) or going public via a special purpose acquisition company (SPAC), though it does not plan to issue debt, according to the source and documents.

Any offering is expected to raise between $300 million to $500 million, which would be used in part to finance the Texas mine and processing facility. The company hopes to have it operating by 2023.

Investors are growing more interested in exposure to rare earths, 17 minerals used to build weapons and electronics. China is the world’s largest producer and has threatened to stop exporting these minerals to the United States.

Goldman Sachs Group Inc and BMO are serving as advisors to USA Rare Earths. Company representatives did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

Goldman also is handling the company’s negotiations with potential customers.

Reviving domestic rare earths production has become a priority in Washington as relations with China have grown more frayed, and with U.S. lawmakers leery of relying on a rival for critical defense components.

U.S. President Joe Biden has repeatedly said he wants to boost manufacturing, a goal that likely would require more domestically-produced minerals. He plans to issue an executive order this month mandating a review of critical U.S. supply chains, sources separately told Reuters on Tuesday.

USA Rare Earth rival MP Materials Corp, which controls California’s Mountain Pass mine, went public last year in a SPAC deal worth nearly $1.5 billion. Its stock price has more than doubled since its November debut.

A SPAC is a shell company that raises funds in an initial public offering (IPO) with the aim of acquiring a private company, which then becomes public as result of the merger. For the company being acquired, the merger is an alternative way to go public over a traditional IPO.

The U.S. Department of Defense has awarded grants to several rare earths producers in the past year, including MP as well as Australia’s Lynas Rare Earths Ltd , in an attempt to boost domestic production. The Pentagon has not given grants to USA Rare Earth or partners.

USA Rare Earth, which is developing the Texas site with Texas Mineral Resources Corp, has said it does not need U.S. government funding to advance its development plans.

An Overview of Rare Earth Elements and
Related Issues for Congress
November 24, 2020

$TMRC $MP

https://crsreports.congress.gov/product/pdf/R/R46618

Fortress Value Acquisition Corp. and MP Materials Announce Effectiveness of Registration Statement for Proposed Business Combination
Special Stockholder Meeting Scheduled for Friday, November 13th, 2020

October 27, 2020 11:02 AM Eastern Daylight Time
NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Fortress Value Acquisition Corp. (“FVAC”) (NYSE: FVAC), a special purpose acquisition company sponsored by an affiliate of Fortress Investment Group LLC (“Fortress”), today announced that the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) has declared effective the registration statement on Form S-4 (File No. 333-248433) (as amended to the date hereof, the ”Registration Statement”), which includes a proxy statement/consent solicitation/prospectus in connection with its special meeting of stockholders to consider the previously announced business combination (the “Business Combination”) with MP Materials (“MP Materials”). MP Materials is the owner and operator of Mountain Pass, the only rare earth mining and processing site of scale in North America. FVAC has commenced mailing the definitive proxy statement/consent solicitation/prospectus relating to the special meeting, which will be held on Friday, November 13, 2020. The proxy statement/consent solicitation/prospectus is being mailed to FVAC’s stockholders of record as of the close of business on October 12, 2020 (the “Record Date”). Should the Business Combination be approved by stockholders, FVAC and MP Materials anticipate closing the Business Combination the week of November 16, 2020, subject to satisfaction or waiver of customary closing conditions.

Additional Information About the Business Combination and Where to Find It

The Registration Statement includes a proxy statement in connection with FVAC’s solicitation of proxies for the vote by FVAC’s stockholders in connection with the Business Combination and other matters as described in the Registration Statement, and a consent solicitation statement in connection with MP Materials’ and SNR’s solicitation of consent by their respective unitholders in connection with the Business Combination, as well as the prospectus relating to the offer of the securities to be issued to MP Materials’ and SNR’s unitholders in connection with the completion of the Business Combination. FVAC is mailing a definitive proxy statement and other relevant documents to its stockholders as of the Record Date. FVAC’s stockholders and other interested persons are advised to read the definitive proxy statement/consent solicitation/prospectus, in connection with FVAC’s solicitation of proxies for its Special Stockholder Meeting to be held to approve, among other things, the Business Combination, because these documents contain important information about FVAC, MP Materials and the Business Combination. Stockholders may also obtain a copy of the definitive proxy statement/consent solicitation/prospectus, as well as other documents filed with the SEC regarding the Business Combination and other documents filed with the SEC by FVAC, without charge, at the SEC’s website located at www.sec.gov or by directing a request to 1345 Avenue of the Americas, 46th Floor, New York, New York 10105, Attention: R. Edward Albert III, President (ealbert@fortress.com), CC: Alexander Gillette (agillette@fortress.com).

Participants in the Solicitation

FVAC, MP Materials and certain of their respective directors, executive officers and other members of management and employees may, under SEC rules, be deemed to be participants in the solicitations of proxies from FVAC’s stockholders in connection with the Business Combination. Information regarding the persons who may, under SEC rules, be deemed participants in the solicitation of FVAC’s stockholders in connection with the Business Combination is set forth in proxy statement/consent solicitiation/prospectus as filed with the SEC. You can find more information about FVAC’s directors and executive officers in the Registration Statement. Stockholders, potential investors and other interested persons should read the proxy statement/consent solicitation/prospectus carefully before making any voting or investment decisions. These documents can be obtained free of charge from the sources indicated above.

About MP Materials

MP Materials is the owner and operator of the Mountain Pass Rare Earth Mining and Processing facility, the only integrated site of its kind in the Western Hemisphere. With over 270 employees, MP Materials produces approximately 15% of global rare earth materials, essential for the development of technologies such as defense systems, smartphones, drones, and electric vehicles. It operates a green mining and processing facility and is currently one of the lowest-cost producers of rare earth concentrate. MP plays a leadership role in advocating for a more robust and competitive rare earths industry in the U.S. More information is available at https://mpmaterials.com/.

About Fortress Value Acquisition Corp.

Fortress Value Acquisition Corp. is a special purpose acquisition company formed for the purpose of effecting a merger, capital stock exchange, asset acquisition, stock purchase, reorganization or similar business combination with one or more businesses, and is sponsored by an affiliate of Fortress Investment Group LLC.

Forward-Looking Statements

Certain statements included in this press release that are not historical facts are forward-looking statements for purposes of the safe harbor provisions under the United States Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements may be identified by the use of the words such as “ estimate,” “plan,” “project,” “forecast,” “intend,” “expect,” “anticipate,” “believe,” “seek,” “target,” or similar expressions that predict or indicate future events or trends or that are not statements of historical matters. These forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, statements regarding estimates and forecasts of other financial and performance metrics and projections of market opportunity and expectations related to the timing of the transaction, including the anticipated closing date for the Business Combination. These statements are based on various assumptions, whether or not identified in this press release, and on the current expectations of MP Materials’ and FVAC’s management and are not predictions of actual performance. These forward-looking statements are provided for illustrative purposes only and are not intended to serve as, and must not be relied on by any investor as, a guarantee, an assurance, a prediction or a definitive statement of fact or probability. Actual events and circumstances are difficult or impossible to predict and will differ from assumptions. Many actual events and circumstances are beyond the control of MP Materials and FVAC. These forward-looking statements are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties, including changes in domestic and foreign business, market, financial, political and legal conditions; the inability of the parties to successfully or timely consummate the Business Combination; the risk that any required regulatory approvals are not obtained, are delayed or are subject to unanticipated conditions that could adversely affect the combined company or the expected benefits of the Business Combination; the risk that the approval of the stockholders of MP Materials or stockholders of FVAC is not obtained; the risk that any of the conditions to closing are not satisfied in the anticipated manner or on the anticipated timeline; failure to realize the anticipated benefits of the Business Combination; risks relating to the uncertainty of the projected financial information with respect to MP Materials; risks related to the rollout of MP Materials’ business strategy and the timing of expected business milestones; risks related to MP Materials’ arrangements with Shenghe; the effects of competition on MP Materials’ future business; risks related to political and macroeconomic uncertainty; the amount of redemption requests made by FVAC’s public stockholders; the ability of FVAC or the combined company to issue equity or equity-linked securities in connection with the Business Combination or in the future; the impact of the global COVID-19 pandemic on any of the foregoing risks; and those factors discussed in the Registration Statement under the heading “Risk Factors,” and other documents of FVAC filed, or to be filed, with the SEC. If any of these risks materialize or our assumptions prove incorrect, actual results could differ materially from the results implied by these forward-looking statements. There may be additional risks that neither FVAC nor MP Materials presently know or that FVAC and MP Materials currently believe are immaterial that could also cause actual results to differ from those contained in the forward-looking statements. In addition, forward-looking statements reflect FVAC’s and MP Materials’ expectations, plans or forecasts of future events and views as of the date of this press release. FVAC and MP Materials anticipate that subsequent events and developments will cause FVAC’s and MP Materials’ assessments to change. However, while FVAC and MP Materials may elect to update these forward-looking statements at some point in the future, FVAC and MP Materials specifically disclaim any obligation to do so, unless required by applicable law. These forward-looking statements should not be relied upon as representing FVAC’s and MP Materials’ assessments as of any date subsequent to the date of this press release. Accordingly, undue reliance should not be placed upon the forward-looking statements.

Disclaimer

This press release does not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy any securities, or a solicitation of any vote or approval, nor shall there be any sale of securities in any jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful prior to registration or qualification under the securities laws of any such jurisdiction. No offering of securities shall be made except by means of a prospectus meeting the requirements of Section 10 of the U.S. Securities Act of 1933, as amended. This press release relates to a proposed business combination between FVAC and MP Materials.

INVESTMENT IN ANY SECURITIES DESCRIBED HEREIN HAS NOT BEEN APPROVED OR DISAPPROVED BY THE SEC OR ANY OTHER REGULATORY AUTHORITY NOR HAS ANY AUTHORITY PASSED UPON OR ENDORSED THE MERITS OF THE OFFERING OR THE ACCURACY OR ADEQUACY OF THE INFORMATION CONTAINED HEREIN. ANY REPRESENTATION TO THE CONTRARY IS A CRIMINAL OFFENSE.

Contacts
For MP Materials:
Investors:
Ellipsis
Jeff Majtyka / Taylor Krafchik
IR@mpmaterials.com

Media:
Edelman
Julia Sahin
Julia.Sahin@edelman.com

For FVAC:
Gordon E. Runté
Managing Director
Fortress Investment Group LLC
212-798-6082

https://www.fortressvalueac.com/news/2020-10-27-fortress-value-acquisition-corp-and-mp-materials-announce-effectiveness-of-registration-statement-for-proposed-business-combination

Chinese anger at US rare earths order
Washington wants to speed up local production to reduce reliance on Chinese imports

https://www.asiatimesfinancial.com/chinese-anger-at-us-rare-earths-order

https://oilprice.com/Energy/Energy-General/US-Strengthens-Its-Rare-Earth-Supply-Chain-With-New-Processing-Plant.amp.html

USA Rare Earth's Rare Earth & Critical Minerals Pilot Plant Development and Processing Facility Officially Opens


June 11, 2020 06:00 ET | Source: USA Rare Earth LLC

https://www.globenewswire.com/news-release/2020/06/11/2046717/0/en/USA-Rare-Earth-s-Rare-Earth-Critical-Minerals-Pilot-Plant-Development-and-Processing-Facility-Officially-Opens.html

https://mobile.reuters.com/article/amp/idUSKBN22Y1VC

https://mobile.reuters.com/article/amp/idUSKCN2241L6

https://www.forbes.com/sites/jimvinoski/2020/04/07/the-us-needs-china-for-rare-earth-minerals-not-for-long-thanks-to-this-mountain/amp/

TMRC really looking good here!

https://www.bbc.com/news/av/business-50826045/the-us-steps-up-the-hunt-for-crucial-rare-earths

U.S. Army will fund rare earths plant for weapons development
DECEMBER 11, 2019 / 1:09 AM / UPDATED 14 HOURS AGO

https://www.reuters.com/article/us-usa-rareearths-army-exclusive-idUSKBN1YF0HU

http://www.businessinsider.com/china-cuts-back-on-rare-earth-mining-over-environmental-concerns-other-companies-push-ahead-2011-6

A massive, 'semi-infinite' trove of rare-earth metals has been found in Japanhttps://www.cnbc.com/2018/04/12/japan-rare-earths-huge-deposit-of-metals-found-in-pacific.html

ARAFF I've been quietly buying here, the two rare earths that this mine primarily consists of have been up big and are direct plays on EV batteries...

I like this one a lot!

https://www.arultd.com/

Check out the moves in Nd and Pr

http://www.kitco.com/strategic-metals/

Some of these are starting to wake back up...

can anyone give me some good links to follow the antimony market?
prices, blogs, experts, China supply, stocks etc.

Lynas making a nice move...

http://www.marketwatch.com/story/rare-earth-elements-are-poised-for-a-recovery-2015-08-19?dist=afterbell&link=sfmw_fb

China Export Tax Decision to Boost Rare Earth Demand, Lynas Says
by David Stringer
1:42 AM EDT
April 24, 2015

China’s decision to scrap export quotas and taxes on rare earth elements may boost stalled demand for the products, according to Lynas Corp.
Users have been drawing down on stockpiles while awaiting clarity over China’s policy on the export of the elements, Amanda Lacaze, Chief Executive Officer of Malaysia-based Lynas, said in an interview. Rare earths are used in everything from cruise missiles to iPads.

“In the short term, a lot of what has been damping demand will be released,” Lacaze said today by phone. “Some customers have been living off inventories and they’ll come back and start placing orders.”
Lynas, one of two major producers outside China, rose as much as 30 percent in Sydney after Molycorp Inc., the largest U.S. producer, jumped 9.4 percent Thursday in New York.

China, which produces about 85 percent of global supply, will remove export tariffs on rare earths from May and in January abandoned its 15-year export quotas after the World Trade Organization ruled the policy violated trade rules.
“If China is committed to eliminating illegal processing and establishing a tax that’s simple to administer then prices will go up, and that will assist companies like Lynas and Molycorp,” said Dudley Kingsnorth, Perth-based executive director at Industrial Minerals Company of Australia Pty. “However, we are not going to see an instant response.”
Siemens, BASF
Molycorp agreed this month to supply Siemens AG with raw materials for wind-turbine generators for 10 years, while Lynas said in filings its customers include Siemens and BASF SE.

Both suppliers are poised to benefit as China moves to consolidate its rare earths sector, close down illegal mines and shutter operations that can’t meet stricter environmental standards, according to Lacaze.

Lynas, which said March was the first month in the company’s history in which it was cash flow positive, is seeking to restructure its debt before September, according to Lacaze. “Whether that’s a combination of agreements with our existing debt providers, a refinancing or otherwise,” she said.
The producer has a $225 million loan facility with Sojitz Corp. and Japan Oil, Gas and Metals National Corp., with repayments scheduled through June 2016, according to a March filing. It also has $225 million in convertible bonds due in July 2016, the filing said.

MCP Big news with Siemens I'm in some $1 calls!

http://investorintel.com/rare-earth-intel/chinese-tighten-supply-rare-earths-terbium-dysprosium-prices-soar/

MCP lives!

NIOBF very interesting, Former Molycorp CEO...

International Arbitration Rules in Favour of Stans Energy

Stans Energy Corp. (QX) (USOTC:HREEF)
Intraday Stock Chart
Today : Thursday 1 May 2014

Click Here for more Stans Energy Corp. (QX) Charts.
Stans Energy Corp. (TSX-V: HRE, OTCQX: HREEF), (“Stans” or the “Company”) is pleased to report that the Arbitration Court at the Moscow Chamber of Commerce and Industry (the “Court”) has concluded its final hearings in the matter between the Company and the Government of the Republic of Kyrgyzstan. In this matter, the Court has ruled in favour of Stans Energy Corp.

The Court will now prepare a written ruling, which will detail the verdict and the final damage amount. This process may take up to three months. Once Stans will receive the written ruling, the Company will issue a release outlining those details.

In the interim period before the final damage amount is announced, the Company intends to continue negotiating a settlement with the inter-departmental working group of the Kyrgyz Government as previously announced by the Company on February 6th, 2014.

“Stans Energy and its subsidiaries have always conducted operations to the highest standards of international ethical and business practices. This ruling validates our position as open and honest business partners for the Kyrgyz Republic. It is our hope that we can now engage the Government of the Kyrgyzstan in sincere discussions whereby we can resolve all the outstanding issues in Kyrgyzstan and resume development of Kutessay II. We are committed to working with the Kyrgyz authorities to negotiate an amicable solution that will allow the Company to resume work, increase employment opportunities for the communities in which operate and to ultimately benefit all stakeholders involved in the project. I would like to take this opportunity to congratulate our legal team lead by Professor Igor Zenkin, who presented a well-considered and well advocated claim on the Company’s behalf,” states Interim-President and CEO, Rodney Irwin.

BACKGROUND

On October 30, 2013, Stans Energy Corp. and its subsidiaries filed a claim for arbitration under the Convention for the Protection of Investor’s Rights to which Kyrgyzstan is a signatory. The arbitration hearings are being heard in the Arbitration Court at the Moscow Chamber of Commerce and Industry. The Company claims that certain actions by agencies and/or representatives acting on behalf of the Government of the Republic of Kyrgyzstan were aimed to impede the Company from executing its responsibilities under its licence and have created conditions for termination of the operations of Kutisay Mining LLC, the Company’s wholly owned subsidiary, amounting to expropriation.

The claim seeks $117,853,000 in compensation for losses and damage.

TSLA and LITHIUM:

RDNAF and RM.V

LINK: http://seekingalpha.com/author/retirefund/instablog

There are always reasons to buy or sell a stock. Here are some solid reasons why Rodinia Lithium, currently a penny stock, is a good bet in the "second leg" of the lithium race.

1. Insiders are buying this stock.

2. Rodinia owns three of the top 25 lithium properties in the world.

3. Shan Shan Corp., one of the largest lithium battery suppliers in China, purchased their entire bought deal in Nov 2010, above the asking price, to ensure they are flush with cash to advance their properties.

4. [b[color=red]]Rodinia's top three properties are all brine properties, with low development costs, in two of the best mining districts in the world, Clayton Valley, Nevada and Salta Argentina (Diabillos).[/color] They are also listed in the top 25 lithium properties in the world today.

5. Byron Capital Markets Dr. Jon Hykaway, rated it a strong buy with a target of $2.25

6. Ubika Research issued a valuation report with a Price of $1.12 for Rodinia Lithium.

7. The top electric car company in the world today, Tesla Motors, has seen it's stock rise over 500% in 2013.

8. All major auto companies are either now producing electric cars, or have them on the drawing board.

9. Electric storage for power grids as well as wind and solar power projects is becoming a hot sector at this writing and lithium use in the batteries used in mobile devices is growing worldwide.

10. Rodinia's flagship property, diabillos, is advancing at a time and place where major players are already established and consolidation is only a matter of time.

LINK: http://www.rodinialithium.com/

Rodinia Lithium is a Canadian mineral exploration and development company with a primary focus on Lithium exploration and development in North and South America. The Company is also actively exploring the commercialization of a significant Potash co-product that is recoverable through the lithium harvesting process.

Rodinia's Salar de Diablillos lithium-brine project in Salta, Argentina, contains a recoverable inferred brine resource of 2.8 million tones lithium carbonate equivalent from an in-situ inferred brine resource of 4.9 million tonnes lithium carbonate equivalent. The project also contains a recoverable inferred brine resource of 11.2 million tonnes potassium chloride equivalent from an in-situ inferred brine resource of 19.83 million tonnes potassium chloride equivalent.

The Company also holds 100% mineral rights to approximately 70,000 acres in Nevada's lithium-rich Clayton Valley in Esmeralda County, and is currently in the process of assessing the size, quality and processing alternatives of this deposit. The Clayton Valley project is located in the only known lithium-brine bearing salt lake in North America, and looks to represent the only new source for domestic lithium carbonate supply.

Rodinia expects to develop both its Diablillos and Clayton Valley lithium projects into two of the world's largest strategic, scalable and reliable sources of battery grade lithium carbonate. The Company is positioned to capitalize on the explosive demand for lithium carbonate expected from the paradigm shift to mass adoption and use of key lithium applications including lithium-ion batteries (electric vehicles, hybrid-electric vehicles, computers, smart phones, power grid stabilization, etc.).

MCP at least she is sticking around $5...

Rare Earths getting a little chatter of late...

SNET SourcingLink.net Inc. Has Entered Into a Purchase Agreement to Acquire Eldor Property Claims
Today : Thursday 15 August 2013

Click Here for more SourcingLink.net, Inc. Charts.

SourcingLink.net Inc. (PINKSHEETS: SNET) has agreed to a purchase agreement, subject to delivery of payments, to acquire the Eldor Rare Earth Property Claims (Eldor Project) located in Northern Quebec, Canada that adjoins the west boundary of Commerce Resources' Ashram Project. The neighboring property, Ashram project, currently has a Preliminary Economic Assessment (PEA) with a Net Present Value (NPV) at a 10% discount rate of $2.32 billion, (a pre-tax/pre-finance Internal Rate of Return (IRR) of 44%). The Ashram Deposit is recognized as a World-Class Deposit with one of the highest grades of large tonnage advanced-stage rare earth element ("REE") including a Measured and Indicated resource of 29 Million tons at 1.90% Total Rare Earth Oxide ("TREO") and Inferred resource of 220 Million tons at 1.88% TREO. The CEO of SourcingLink.net Inc. Anne Carioti commented, "Because we are directly adjacent to a world class rare earth deposit that has a very positive geological data, we are excited about acquiring the Eldor property claims."
The Eldor Project is located in Northern Quebec which is considered one of the most favorable mining jurisdictions in the world. SourcingLink.net Inc. shall also benefit as the property is designated as part of the "Plan Nord" for major economic, social and environmental development as announced by the Quebec Government. Sourcelink.net intends to commence an initial work program in order to identity initial exploration drill targets. To date there have been significant indicators which suggest the presence of Rare Earth Elements including trenching sampling, geochemistry and geophysics. Please visit our website www.sourcinglink.org for additional details.

About SourcingLink.net Inc.:

SourcingLink.net is a U.S. based publicly traded exploration and development company with a focus on rare metals and rare earth elements which are among the primary input materials of technology in the 21st Century.

MCP trying to Breakout...

AVL - looking to pick up on support here.

MCP +3.4% (WSJ report that China rare earth exports grew 28% YoY in April)

Elissa Resources Corporate Update
36 minutes ago - ACQUIREMEDIA
VANCOUVER, BRITISH COLUMBIA--(Marketwire - Jan. 4, 2013) - Elissa Resources Ltd. ("Elissa" or the "Company") (TSX VENTURE:ELI)(OTCQX:ELSRF) reported today that at the request of the Investment Industry Regulatory Organization of Canada (IIROC) the Company confirms that management is unaware of any material change in its operations. The Company is currently planning 2013 work programs and is also reviewing several acquisition opportunities and strategic partnership opportunities. Elissa will announce any material developments as they occur in future news releases.
On behalf of the Board of Directors of Elissa Resources Ltd.
Paul McKenzie, President and CEO
About Elissa Resources Ltd.
Elissa Resources is advancing its 100% owned Thor heavy and light rare earth element (REE) project in Nevada, 28 km (17 miles) east of Molycorp Minerals' Mountain Pass REE deposit and processing facility, California. Elissa also owns a 100% interest in the Ulysses REE Project located in eastern Idaho and south-western Montana.

Read more at http://www.stockhouse.com/bullboards/messagedetail.aspx?p=0&m=31981803&l=0&r=0&s=ELI&t=LIST#M22Q4dJBZXTxKBpG.99

more . . .
http://www.businessweek.com/news/2012-11-07/pentagon-challenges-chinese-monopoly-on-rare-earths-commodities

The Pentagon Moves to Erase China's Rare Earth Advantage

Comment Posted by Adam English - Wednesday, November 7th, 2012

The Pentagon is finally moving to close a glaring long-term logistical risk for military equipment and technology.
Until around 1990, the U.S.A. was the world leader in producing and refining rare earth elements (REEs). Within a decade it became reliant on China for more than 90% of its use.
Congress required the Pentagon to examine the use of rare earth materials in defense applications, determine if non-U.S. supplies might be disrupted and suggest ways to ensure long-term availability last year. The Pentagon is also required to secure an assured source of supply by 2015.
That has led the Pentagon to team up with the private sector, namely Toyota Motor Corp., to break China's stranglehold on the world's supply of critical REEs.
“This announcement is great news for Alaska and for the United States, where our need for a secure and domestic supply of rare earth elements is an urgent challenge,” said U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski.
In particular, the Pentagon is focusing on North American mines with high concentrations of the heavier elements: dysprosium, terbium, and yttrium. The mines, run by Canada's Ucore Rare Metals Inc. and Matamec Explorations Inc. may lead non-Chinese projects in expanding production of heavy REEs by 60% by the end of the decade.
In addition to the work with the rare earth mines, the Department of Defense appears to be working on a non-Chinese supply chain for high-performance magnets used in weapons systems.
In October, the Pentagon also chose Canadian magnet maker Great Western Minerals Group to study the supply of yttrium oxide, which is used in jet engines, last month as well.
U.S. magnet maker Thomas & Skinner Inc will work with the Pentagon in a study of neodymium-iron-boron magnets, which will lose their patent protection under Hitachi Ltd. in 2014.
“The Department of Defense’s investment... represents a significant step toward recapturing the rare earths technological lead surrendered to China decades ago,” said Ucore President and CEO Jim McKenzie.
The development of a supply chain of the critical materials for advanced weaponry couldn't come sooner. China has shown an increasing enthusiasm for manipulating the REE market.
In 2010, China placed export quotas on REEs to bolster prices and protect their national demand for the materials. Due to the flagging global economy, shortages have not been experienced yet. However, with ever-increasing demand and inelastic supply, it is only a matter of time.
China has also been willing to flex its materials advantage in its quarrels with Japan. In retaliation for Japan’s arrest of a Chinese fishing boat captain in contested waters, China unofficially halted shipments of rare earth supplies to Japan for over a month.
It claimed that the 32 companies with REE export licenses, 10 of which are foreign owned, decided on their own to stop shipments due to anti-Japanese sentiment.
With tensions between China and Japan continuing to simmer and long-term strategic positions between the China and the USA at odds in the Pacific, the Pentagon cannot move fast enough.

In some MCP today...

http://proedgewire.com/rare-earth-intel/china-to-stockpile-heavy-rare-earths-again/

Australia's Lynas cleared to start Malaysia rare earths plant

Reuters – 5 hours ago

SYDNEY, Sept 5 (Reuters) - Australia's Lynas Corp said on Wednesday it has received a temporary operating licence for its long-delayed $800 million rare earths plant in Malaysia, enabling it to start production as early as October.
The Lynas plant on Malaysia's east coast has been ready to fire up since early May, but the company has been embroiled in lengthy environmental and safety disputes with local residents since construction began two years ago.
Widespread protests over concerns about possible radioactive residue have drawn thousands of people at a time, and the project has become a hot topic ahead of an election likely to be held this year.
The Malaysian Atomic Energy Licensing Board (AELB) issued the permit following an earlier recommendation from a government committee.
"Receiving this licence from the AELB is a significant milestone for Lynas," Lynas Executive Chairman Nicholas Curtis said in a statement.
Kilns to process rare earth concentrate were expected to begin in October, Lynas added.
The plant is considered important to efforts to break China's grip on rare earths that are used in products ranging from smartphones to hybrid cars. (Reporting by Lincoln Feast; Editing by Ken Wills)