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The rare earths industry is stuck between a rock and a hard place. The rock is China. The hard place is the swathe of new, economically questionable projects [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Acidspar market stabilises towards the end of Q3, while India and the Middle East could see local price rises. Pigment chemical prices meanwhile fall in September, with the market downcast over Chinese market and hopes pinned on India, Southeast Asia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Rising supply and contracting domestic demand for Chinese soda ash is upping the rate of overspill into exports. Laura Syrett, Acting Editor, looks at how this trend is threatening the market share of other exporters, including the highly influential North American trade body, ANSAC. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article focuses on the price wars in Chinese magnesia and the challenges faced by Asia for calcium carbonate prices, according to anonymous bidders during the annual general meeting of the China Refractory Association. Topics discussed include the margins for the producers of Chinese magnesia, the potential to cut price in the Chinese ground calcium carbonate (GCC) industry, and the concern of about the removal of steel production capacity in the country.

The article reports on the profits growth and revenue decline posted by refractories producer Vesuvius PLC for the full year 2014. Factors to profits growth include the markets in Asia and China, sales of steel flow control products, and efforts to streamline its product portfolio and to increase productivity. Data provided shows the increase in steel production of Vesuvius in global markets and growth in sales of foundry products. The technology investments of Vesuvius in China is highlighted

The article reports that China has increased volume restrictions on exports of rare earths although companies will continue to require a licence to sell the minerals. Topics covered include the Chinese Ministry of Commerce's (MOFCOM) guidance on quota licensing, bidding, and licence management and a March 2014 ruling by the World Trade Organization (WTO) that China's export restrictions violated international trade rules.

The article examines the problems affecting the bauxite industry of Shanxi, China and the measures being adapted to reform it. Topics covered include the meeting that was held in Tiayuan, the capital of Shanxi province, on December 3, 2014 to discuss the regulation and management of the bauxite industry in Shanxi, Guizhou, and Henan and the decision in the meeting that the bauxite in Shanxi, Guizhou, and Henan is geologically unique and needs to be scientifically analysed.

The article reports on the factors which affect the prices of minerals such as zircon and ilmenite in the global market as of October 2014. Topics covered include the resulting frugality of the industrial consumers of zircon caused by their preference for cheaper substitutes, and the decision by the large mining companies in China to keep the prices of ilmenite low in order to maintain a dominant position in the mineral market.

Bauxite values stable following Q1 price rises; Paper grade kaolin prices increase as costs bite; Rutile "tough" business in China-led market [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article explores the global trade patterns for graphite and fluorspar which shift to developing regions as of December 2013. The shift of trade routes is reportedly driven by deposit location, logistics costs, and mineral prices and deposit grades. Also mentioned is the possibility for new low cost supply of industrial materials as China temporarily stops as the top raw material supplier in the world.

The article discusses the possibility of consolidation in the flake graphite industry in China. According to South Graphite Co. Ltd. President Hu Zijian, the flake graphite sector could follow the amorphous graphite sector which incorporated small private producers into larger mining companies. The author explains that the national government is aiming to reshape the resource sector by removing marginal companies in favor of larger, more efficient mining companies.

The article reports that Sri Lanka is seeking the help of China to improve its mining and mineral processing industries. Sri Lankan minister for trade and commerce Rishad Bathiudeen explained that Lankan-produced graphite, ilmenite and crystals are of international standards. Sri Lanka exported minerals valued at 15.14 million U.S. dollars to China in 2012. Australian company Iluka Resources Ltd. is said to be considering to return to Sri Lanka.

The article presents the findings of various purchasing managers indexes (PMI) for February 2013. The HSBC manufacturing PMI shows a fourth consecutive monthly increase in February after the resurgence of growth in the manufacturing sector in China. Markit Research data state that the Eurozone PMI posted 47.9 while the individual measure posted by Germany is 50.3. Markit data also indicate a decline in PMI in the U.S. to 54.3.

The article focuses on the intention of China's rare earths producer Inner Magnolia Baotou Steel Rare-Earth (Group) Hi-Tech Co. to gain control of 12 other producers to form a rare earths megacompany in an effort to strengthen its dominance of the domestic light rare earths market, discussed in a filing with the Shanghai Stock Exchange on December 27, 2012. The agreement requires the 12 firms to transfer 51% of their combined equity to Baotou at no cost.

The article discusses developments in the antimony industry during 2012. It mentions China's control of approximately 90 percent of the worldwide trioxide supply. Initiatives to increase mine output in countries such as Russia, Bolivia, and Tajikistan are addressed. The classification of antimony miner Tri-Star Resources PLC's GšynŸk project in Turkey as an exploration project is considered. The U.S. Antimony Corp.'s antimony, silver and gold property in Los Juares, Mexico is cited.

The article focuses on the first rare earths (RE) spot-trading platform launched by China in August 2012. The trading exchange, led by Baotou Steel Rare Earth Hi-Tech, will operate under the name of Baotou Rare Earth Product Exchange Co. Ltd, and will involve many of China's principal RE producers. The platform is aimed at trading RE in a way that will regulate prices and ensure great market transparency.

The article reports on the condition of the cement industry worldwide, as of September 2012. According to the UK Mineral Products Association, cement is the world's second-most consumed product after water. The cement industry is dominated by China, producing more than half of the total industry output in 2010-2011. It notes on the decline of cement demand in Europe and the U.S. due to the global credit crunch in 2008 that affected housing markets and public infrastructure projects.

The article reports on the commencement of dispute proceedings against China under the World Trade Organization (WTO) by the U.S., European Union, and Japan on March 13, 2012. It is noted that China's control of the rare earths industry negatively affects Japan's high-technology electronics and technology industry. Rare earths are used in the U.S. in both new energy technologies and medical devices.

The article reports that the electronics manufacturing industry is not affected by rising rare earth element (REE) prices. Despite the export quotas announced by the Chinese government, Klaus Hieronymi of Hewlett Packard (HP) asserts that the increase in raw material prices will not be felt by end users. It acknowledges efforts of companies like Hitachi, Toyota and Mitsubishi in finding alternatives to REE. The attention being given by global policy makers to the supply of REE is also noted.