This year has been nothing if not exciting in terms of mineral prices.
The start of the year saw many being concerned about rare earths exports as China’s tight grip over world supply became more evident towards the end of 2010.
At the start of 2011, China’s export quotas for rare earths for the first half of 2011 were reduced by 35% year on year, causing a jump in the market on the back of the tighter supply.
“The Chinese export policy leads to a situation where the price increase for former rather cheap materials – which you will find mainly among the light rare earths –...