Recent findings suggesting a global supply shortage of rare earth elements has created a panic among end users and a gold rush among miners. IMARC Group, one of the world’s leading research and advisory firms, finds that with a number of new mines starting production in the next five years, the total supply of rare earth elements will be significantly more than the total demand. Although, a number of rare earth elements would be oversupplied, we may face a shortage of some elements that are critical for the long term growth of the clean technology industry.
IMARC’s new report entitled “Global Rare Earth Elements Market 2011-2015” provides an analytical and statistical insight into the global rare earth elements market. The study that has been undertaken using both desk-based as well as qualitative primary research has analyzed five aspects of the rare earth elements market.
Key Aspects Analyzed:
Understanding the Mining Economics of Rare Earth Elements:
Focus of the Analysis:
- Rare earth mine valuation
- Stages and time taken to develop and start production at a rare earth mine
- The total costs involved in rare earth mining
- Mining and downstream processing of rare earth elements
- Rare earth element pricing
Understanding China’s Role in the Global Rare Earth Elements Market:
Focus of the Analysis:
- China’s role in the global supply and demand of rare earth elements
- Reasons for China’s dominance
- China’s current and future supply strategies
Comprehensive Situation Analysis of the Global Rare Earth Elements Market:
Focus of the analysis:
- Quantifying the historical sales and production of rare earth elements
- Identification and evaluation of current global rare earth mines
- Identification and evaluation of mines expected to begin production in the next five years
- Current and future consumption of rare earth elements
Evaluating the Supply and Demand of Various Rare Earth Elements:
Focus of the analysis:
- Quantifying the production of each element from current and future mines
- Quantifying the current and future demand of each element
- Historical, current and future prices of each element
- Evaluating the supply risks of each element and its importance for clean technology
- Identification of critically undersupplied and oversupplied rare earth elements
Evaluating the Demand of Rare Earth Elements in Various Industries
Focus of the analysis:
- Quantifying the current and future size of each Industry
- Quantifying the current and future demands of rare earth elements in each industry
- Identification of industries having the highest demand of rare earth elements.
Information Sources:
Information has been sourced from both primary and secondary sources:
- Primary sources include industry surveys and face to face/telephone interviews with industry experts.
- Secondary sources include proprietary databases and search engines. These sources include company websites and reports, books, trade journals, magazines, white papers, industry portals, government sources and access to more than 4000 paid databases.
1. Research Methodology & Market Definitions
2. Executive Summary
3. What are Rare Earth Elements?
4. Rare Earth Elements: Are They Really Rare?
4.1 Reserve & Reserve Base Estimates
4.2 How Long will they Last?
5. Rare Earth Elements: Mining Economics
5.1 Mine Valuation: Grades & Composition are Key
5.2 Development of a New Project: Can Take Several Years
5.3 Rare Earth Mining Costs: Largely Location and Grade Dependent
5.3.1 Infrastructure & Capital Costs
5.3.2 Operating Costs
5.4 Mining & Processing
5.4.1 Mining
5.4.2 Downstream Processing
5.5 Prices: Have Risen Several Fold in Recent Years
5.5.1 Factors Affecting Rare Earth Element Prices
5.5 .2 Historical Prices
5.5.3 Pricing Forecast
6. China’s Role in the Global Rare Earth Elements Market
6.1 China Has a Monopoly Over Rare Earth Elements
6.2 Mining Costs in China Are Significantly Lower Than Other Rare Earth Producers
6.3 Miners Have Benefitted from the Lack of Proper Working Standards and Environmental Regulations
6.4 China Has a Significantly Higher In-house Expertise Compared to Other Rare Earth Producers
6.5 China is Decreasing Export Quotas as its Own Domestic Demand is Expected to Outstrip Supply
6.6 China Aims to Become an Exporter of Higher Value Goods
7. The Global Rare Earth Elements Market
7.1 Total Sales & Production of Rare Earth Elements
7.2 Production of Rare Earth Elements by Region
7.2.1 Current Operational Mines
7.2.1.1 Bayan Obo, China
7.2.1.2 Longnan, China
7.2.1.3 Xunwu, China
7.2.1.4 India
7.2.1.5 Eastern Coast, Brazil
7.2.1.6 Lahat, Malaysia
7.2.2 Potential New Projects
7.2.2.1 Mt. Weld, Australia
7.2.2.2 Mountain Pass, United States
7.2.2.3 Nolans, Australia
7.2.2.4 Steenkampskraal, South Africa
7.2.2.5 Nechalacho, Canada
7.2.2.6 Kvanefjeld, Greenland
7.2.2.7 Dong Pao, Vietnam
7.2.2.8 Dubbo Zirconia, Australia
7.3 Consumption of Rare Earth Elements by Region
7.3.1 China
7.3.2 Japan & Northeast Asia
7.3.3 US
8. Supply & Demand of Individual Rare Earth Elements
8.1 Elements that will Face Supply Shortages in the Near Future
8.1.1 Terbium
8.1.1.1 Element Overview & Supply Risks
8.1.1.2 Supply & Demand
8.1.2 Dysprosium
8.1.2.1 Element Overview & Supply Risks
8.1.2.2 Supply & Demand
8.1.3 Neodymium
8.1.3.1 Element Overview & Supply Risks
8.1.3.2 Supply & Demand
8.1.4 Europium
8.1.4.1 Element Overview & Supply Risks
8.1.4.2 Supply & Demand
8.2 Elements That Will Be Oversupplied in the Near Future
8.2.1 Yttrium
8.2.1.1 Element Overview & Supply Risks
8.2.1.2 Supply & Demand
8.2.2 Lanthanum
8.2.2.1 Element Overview & Supply Risks
8.2.2.2 Supply & Demand
8.2.3 Cerium
8.2.3.1 Element Overview & Supply Risks
8.2.3.2 Supply & Demand
8.2.4 Praseodymium
8.2.4.1 Element Overview & Supply Risks
8.2.4.2 Supply & Demand
8.2.5 Samarium
8.2.5.1 Element Overview & Supply Risks
8.2.5.2 Supply & Demand
9. Market by Application (2010-2015)
9.1 Magnets
9.2 NiMH Batteries
9.3 Auto Catalysts
9.4 Diesel Engines
9.5 Fluid Cracking Catalysts (FCC)
9.6 Phosphers
9.7 Glass
9.8 Polishing Powders
9.9 Other Applications
10. Overcoming the Potential shortfalls in Supply
10.1 Stockpiling
10.2 Recycling
10.3 Substitution
10.4 Material Shortfall Strategies by Various Rare Earth Consumers
11. Key Player Profiles
11.1 Lynas Corporation
11.2 Molycorp Minerals
11.3 Arafura Resources Ltd
11.4 Great Western Minerals Group Ltd
11.5 Avalon Rare Metals Inc
11.6 Greenland Minerals & Energy Ltd
11.7 Alkane Resources Ltd