The State Council of China Announces the “Regulations on Rare Earth Management”

On June 22, the State Council of China announced the "Regulations on the Management of Rare Earths" (hereinafter referred to as the "Regulations"), which clearly state that rare earths are owned by the state and that the state implements protective mining of rare earth resources. The "Regulations" will come into effect on October 1.

The "Regulations" consist of 32 articles, mainly stipulating six aspects: clarifying work principles, strengthening the protection of rare earth resources, improving the rare earth management system, promoting the high-quality development of the rare earth industry, improving the supervision system of the entire industry chain of rare earths, and clarifying supervision measures and legal responsibilities.

The "Regulations" not only clarify that rare earth resources belong to the state but also require the identification of rare earth mining producers and rare earth smelting and separation producers. Other organizations and individuals are prohibited from engaging in rare earth mining and rare earth smelting and separation. Total volume control is implemented for rare earth mining, smelting and separation, and dynamic management should be optimized. A product traceability system should be established, and circulation management should be strictly enforced. In addition, the "Regulations" specify that the state should implement unified planning for the development of the rare earth industry and support the research and application of new technologies, new processes, new products, new materials, and new equipment in the rare earth industry.