Medium, heavy rare earth prices continue to rise on supply concerns 

SHANGHAI, Jun 12 (SMM) – A shortage of raw materials is likely to expand the upside room of prices for medium and heavy rare earth oxides, such as dysprosium oxide and terbium oxide, while the upward momentum in prices of light rare earth will be limited as the domestic market still sees a supply glut. 

As of Wednesday June 12, prices of spot terbium oxide continued to trend upside, to 3,950-4,000 yuan/kg, SMM assessed. This was up some 20% from the middle of May, when prices started to receive a boost from the import ban on Myanmar ore.

Prices of terbium metal also jumped on Wednesday June 12, to 4,950-5,050 yuan/kg, up 50 yuan/kg from Tuesday June 11. 

SMM assessed prices of light rare earth of praseodymium-neodymium oxide flat on the day at 355,000-360,000 yuan/mt. This compared with an average 265,500 yuan/mt in mid-May.