China lifted rare earth production quotas for 2019

Published: Nov 14, 2019 11:36 (GMT+8)

Save

The adjustment was in line with the market appeal for more supply of the prized minerals

SHANGHAI, Nov 14 (SMM) – China raised the 2019 quotas of rare earth output for six state-owned mining companies, according to a statement by the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT) published on November 8.

The adjustment was in line with the market appeal for more supply of the prized minerals.

The full-year rare earth mining quota rose 12,000 mt from 2018, all for light rare earth elements, to 132,000 mt for 2019, with the quota for rare earth smelting and separation up 12,001 mt, standing at 127,000 mt.

Mining quota for medium- and heavy- rare earth, meanwhile, remained unchanged from 2018.

MIIT typically issues the rare earth quotas twice a year for each six-month period.

Quotas for the first half of this year were set at 60,000 mt for mining and 57,500 mt for smelting and separation.

Market commentary Rare earth

Data Source Statement: Except for publicly available information, all other data are processed by SMM based on publicly available information, market communication, and relying on SMM's internal database model. They are for reference only and do not constitute decision-making recommendations.

For any inquiries or for more information, please contact: lemonzhao@smm.cn

For more information on how to access our research reports, please contact:service.en@smm.cn

Related News

Sep 30, 2026 17:18 (GMT+8)

SMM Rare Earth Afternoon Trading Comment for September 30

Sep 30, 2026 17:18 (GMT+8)

Sep 30, 2026 15:26 (GMT+8)

Scrap Prices Remain Stable, Holiday Market Trading Thins [SMM Recycled Rare Earth Weekly Review]

[SMM Recycled Rare Earth Weekly Review: Scrap Prices Stable, Market Activity Slows Ahead of Holiday] Overall, Pr-Nd scrap prices remained stable this week, with a slight upward adjustment near the weekend. Recycling enterprises turned cautious about chasing higher prices after wrapping up pre-holiday stockpiling, while suppliers showed low willingness to sell. Market activity gradually cooled as the holiday approached. In the short term, the market is expected to remain quiet during the holiday with little improvement in trading, and Pr-Nd scrap prices are likely to maintain a stable pattern.

Sep 30, 2026 15:26 (GMT+8)

Sep 30, 2026 15:21 (GMT+8)

Pr-Nd prices hold firm with a steady rise, trading tends to thin before the holiday [SMM Rare Earth Weekly Review]

[SMM Rare Earth Weekly Review: Pr-Nd Prices Hold Firm with Slight Gains; Trading Activity Slows Ahead of Holiday] Terbium oxide was at 6.52-6.55 million yuan/mt, with downstream acceptance of high prices remaining weak, negotiation centers edging down, and overall market offer activity mediocre with thin trading. Gadolinium oxide was at 190,000-192,000 yuan/mt, with downstream inquiries persistently weak, and suppliers showing little willingness to adjust prices, mostly holding prices steady and waiting. Holmium oxide was at 635,000-637,500 yuan/mt, consolidating, with limited changes in supply-demand fundamentals. Erbium oxide was at 670,000-675,000 yuan/mt, with downstream inquiries weak and trading follow-through insufficient. Yttrium oxide (5N) was at 58,000-60,000 yuan/mt, and yttrium oxide (3N) at 28,000-30,000 yuan/mt, with demand mediocre, downstream follow-through insufficient, and prices lacking upward momentum.

Sep 30, 2026 15:21 (GMT+8)