Rare Earth Ore Imports in June Rose MoM with a Sharp Increase in Rare Earth Metal Ore

SHANGHAI, July 22 (SMM) - China imported 6,786 mt of rare earth ore in June, up 55.3% month-on-month. The import volume of light rare earth ore increased significantly, while the import volume of rare earth metal ore was 6,786 mt, up 82.8% compared to last month, all of which came from the United States. The import volume dropped steeply in May amid complicated international situation, but recovered gradually in June. In June, the import volume of middle and heavy rare earth ore decreased slightly month-on-month, of which 460 mt of unlisted rare earth oxides were imported, and 233 mt were imported from Myanmar; and only 101 mt of mixed rare earth carbonates were imported. The Myanmar border port opened at the end of April and Myanmar imported a large number of auxiliary materials. However, the output was limited as it was still at the early stage of mining and was in the rainy season in Myanmar. The ion ore previously produced in Myanmar had already been exported to China, therefore, China's total import volume of ion ore in June dropped MoM. At present, the mines in Myanmar have resume the normal production, and the import volume in July is expected to increase month-on-month. The import of thorium ore in June was 3,078 mt, an increase of 31.8% from the previous month. The thorium ore mainly came from Vietnam and Thailand, with a import volume of 1,607 mt and 1,269 mt respectively. Since the import volume of ore from Myanmar in the second quarter was low while China is highly dependent on imported mines, the domestic demand for thorium ore increased. Other rare earth fluoride was imported all from the United States, which stood at 2,535 mt, a month-on-month increase of 44.4%.