Erbium, Dysprosium, Terbium, Neodymium and Europium to be in Short Supply, Finds IMARC Group

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Despite worldwide efforts to reduce the consumption of rare earth elements, IMARC Group expects strategies like substitution and recycling to have a little effect on their demand and dependability in the short term

Rare earth metals currently represent essential elements for various clean technology and hi-tech industries such as wind energy, hybrid cars, display, energy efficient lighting, etc. China currently has a monopoly over the global rare earth market as it accounts for over 97% of the total global production. As a result of an exponential increase in both global as well as its own domestic rare earth demand, China, in recent years, has been reducing the export of these elements.  This has resulted in a global shortfall and an exponential increase in rare earth prices.
As a result of the shortfall and rising rare earth prices, companies have started developing alternatives or ways to reduce the consumption of these elements. In August 2011, GE announced the development of wind-turbine generators that are expected to reduce the dependence on rare earth based permanent magnets. W.R. Grace & Co. this year began selling an oil-refining catalyst with reduced lanthanum. Toyota, Asia's biggest automaker, has recently announced that some of their hybrid vehicles will be built with an induction motor that doesn't use rare-earth magnets.
Despite a world wide effort to reduce the consumption of rare earth elements, IMARC Group, one of the world’s leading research and advisory firms, expects strategies like substitution and recycling to have a little effect on their demand and dependability in the short term. In its latest report entitled “The Global Rare Earth Elements Market 2011-2015: Is the Hype Justified”, the firm expects rare earth elements such as Erbium, Dysprosium, Terbium, Neodymium and Europium to face a supply crunch in the coming years. The study that has been undertaken using both desk-based as well as qualitative primary research has analyzed various aspects of the rare earth elements market.
                                                         
Key Aspects Analyzed in this Report:

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

 
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.

 
Table of contents:
Research Methodology & Market Definitions
Executive Summary
What are Rare Earth Elements?
Rare Earth Elements: Are They Really Rare?
Reserve & Reserve Base Estimates
How Long will they Last?
Rare Earth Elements: Mining Economics
Mine Valuation: Grades & Composition are Key
Development of a New Project: Can Take Several Years
Rare Earth Mining Costs: Largely Location and Grade Dependent
Infrastructure & Capital Costs
Operating Costs
Mining & Processing
Mining
Downstream Processing
Prices: Have Risen Several Fold in Recent Years
Factors Affecting Rare Earth Element Prices
Historical Prices
Pricing Forecast
China’s Role in the Global Rare Earth Elements Market
China Has a Monopoly Over Rare Earth Elements
Mining Costs in China Are Significantly Lower Than Other Rare Earth Producers
Miners Have Benefitted from the Lack of Proper Working Standards and Environmental Regulations
China Has a Significantly Higher In-house Expertise Compared to Other Rare Earth Producers
China is Decreasing Export Quotas as its Own Domestic Demand is Expected to Outstrip Supply
China Aims to Become an Exporter of Higher Value Goods
The Global Rare Earth Elements Market
Total Sales & Production of Rare Earth Elements
Production of Rare Earth Elements by Region
Current Operational Mines
Bayan Obo, China
Longnan, China
Xunwu, China
India
Eastern Coast, Brazil
Lahat, Malaysia
Potential New Projects
Mt. Weld, Australia
Mountain Pass, United States
Nolans, Australia
Steenkampskraal, South Africa
Nechalacho, Canada
Kvanefjeld, Greenland
Dong Pao, Vietnam
Dubbo Zirconia, Australia
Consumption of Rare Earth Elements by Region
China
Japan & Northeast Asia
US
Supply & Demand of Individual Rare Earth Elements
Elements that will Face Supply Shortages in the Near Future
Terbium
Element Overview & Supply Risks
Supply & Demand
Dysprosium
Element Overview & Supply Risks
Supply & Demand
Neodymium
Element Overview & Supply Risks
Supply & Demand
Europium
Element Overview & Supply Risks
Supply & Demand
Elements That Will Be Oversupplied in the Near Future
Yttrium
Element Overview & Supply Risks
Supply & Demand
Lanthanum
Element Overview & Supply Risks
Supply & Demand
Cerium
Element Overview & Supply Risks
Supply & Demand
Praseodymium
Element Overview & Supply Risks
Supply & Demand
Samarium
Element Overview & Supply Risks
Supply & Demand
Market by Application (2010-2015)
Magnets
NiMH Batteries
Auto Catalysts
Diesel Engines
Fluid Cracking Catalysts (FCC)
Phosphers
Glass
Polishing Powders
Other Applications
Overcoming the Potential shortfalls in Supply
Stockpiling
Recycling
Substitution
Material Shortfall Strategies by Various Rare Earth Consumers
Key Player Profiles
Lynas Corporation
Molycorp Minerals
Arafura Resources Ltd
Great Western Minerals Group Ltd
Avalon Rare Metals Inc
Greenland Minerals & Energy Ltd
Alkane Resources Ltd
 
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email: sales@imarcgroup.com
 
To know more please visit: http://www.imarcgroup.com/the-global-rare-earth-elements-market-2011-201...
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