Dynamics in the Global Market for Rare Earths

Abstract

The long-term growth of numerous industries will depend on the ability to secure stable and diverse sources of rare earths. Recent years have seen unprecedented volatility in this sector, with the rare earths being increasingly considered as strategic and critical to a wide range of technologies. During the next few years, demand for some of the rare earths is expected to exceed supply. Chinese export-quota policies have had a severe impact on the market. Worldwide exploration efforts are now leading to the deployment of a rare earth supply chain based outside China.