China’s rare earths producers are under increasing pressure to stamp out problems ranging from pollution to smuggling, IM heard at a major Chinese conference heard last week.
The Fourth China Baotou Industry Forum held in China’s Inner Mongolia region was attended by some of the country’s biggest rare earths producers together with leading scientific and research associations, and official industry bodies.
IM learned that despite China’s stated determination to rein in an industry that until now has been largely unregulated, many companies are concerned that their ability to meet government targets will be hampered by several historical and deep-seated problems.
Consolidation continues
Many of China’s rare earths-producing provinces, including Inner Mongolia, Guangdong, Fujian and Hunan provinces, have initiated regional management groups,...