Combined entity would account for about 70% of China's heavy rare earths production based on quotas for the first half of 2021

State-owned China Northern Rare Earth (Group) High-Tech has agreed to form a strategic partnership with Hong Kong-listed private-sector counterpart China Rare Earth Holdings

China has shortcomings in high-end rare earth product applications and should improve its management of its rare earths quota release, an industry official has said

The country has “extremely strict” standards for issuing permits for prospecting for minerals, it said, so companies and individuals that do this without a permit risk being detained.

Authorities noted significant environmental risks uncovered during the probe, in particular affecting the Yangtze River

Agreements with MP Materials and privately-held Vacuumschmelze are the latest push by GM to reduce reliance on China

The move is being seen as a bid to strengthen China’s dominance of the global supply chain around the strategic metals

Rare earths, copper, chromium, tungsten, petroleum and natural gas are among the items on the National Development and Reform Commission menu

Exports of the 17 minerals crucial to the production of electronic components and magnets – and to many industrial processes too – are up 89% on a year ago

Australia will play a key role in supplying critical minerals to other members of the group, which wants to ensure China does not exert control over items essential to modern technology.

Industry round-up: Tokyo is moving to 'secure' critical metal sites; while US industry players want tax incentives for producers of rare earth magnets; and Customs data from China show that rare earth exports have been flat since April

Scientists seeking cheap and clean ways to source rare earths; Some are testing chemical and bacteria solutions on mining slag heaps