Rare Earth Salts Separation Process Could Be Key for Producers Outside China

China Southern Rare Earth raised the prices of many medium and heavy rare earth oxides in its latest price issuance. 

The prices of mainstream rare earth products are expected to be strongly supported by the downstream demand in 2022, with prices of mainstream rare earth oxides such as praseodymium oxide, terbium oxide and dysprosium oxide steadily moving upwards, according to SMM. Specifically speaking, China's new energy vehicle production is expected to reach 2.78 million units in 2021 and 14.22 million units by 2030, with a CAGR of 20% during 2021E-2030E. The development of elevators, air conditioners and wind power generation will also sustain its momentum.

Minmetals Rare Earth Company announced on September 23 that it has been notified by China Minmetals Group that a strategic restructuring of the relevant rare earth assets has been under discussion among Aluminum Corporation of China, China Minmetals Group Limited and Ganzhou Municipal People's Government.

Amid the recent strong upward trend of rare earth prices, demand from new energy vehicles (NEVs) and other emerging downstream sectors surge, while tight control over upstream supply side may continue, thus creating the historical pivot for rare earth industry. The supply & demand and national policies are expected to walk in step with each other, opening the door to long-term bullish market. As a result, the classic Davis double play may appear among the performance and valuation of rare earth board.

In recent weeks, the domestic rare earth market as a whole prospered evidenced by overall rising prices of all products. In particular, the price of praseodymium oxide increased significantly among others. In the middle and late June, the market prices of praseodymium rallied, and terbium bottomed out. Later, since mid-July, market prices of light and heavy rare earth rose across the board, and the market is relatively in tight supply resulted from insufficient pre-stockpile or oversold. Hence the short supply of metal intensified in current stage.

Rare earth prices dropped from highs on August 21.

Shenghe Resources Holding said in its financial report that it succeeded to turn losses to profits during the first half of 2017. 

Some categories prices of rare earth edged down on Thursday.

China exported 2,834 tonnes of rare earth permanent magnet in May 2017, up 23.1% YoY, which increased for 2 years in a row.

China exported 4294 tonnes of rare earth in May 2017, up 5.4% YoY but down MoM.