| Publication |
2012.
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| Summary/Abstract |
The concentration of rare earth elements (REEs) production in China raises the vital issue of supply susceptibility. Until recently, the global dependency on China for rare earths was a well-kept secret. But word started to spread fast after Beijing cut export quotas by 70 per cent for the second half of 2010, sending prices of some oxides-the purified form of rare earth elements sky-rocketing. This article seeks to evaluate what rare earth elements are and explores China's role in the global supply-demand equations. It also explores the history of rare earth elements and China's current monopoly over the industry, including possible repercussions if rare earth elements supply were to be disrupted.
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