Rare Earth Supply: China First Batch of Rare Earth Mining Quotas in 2023 Increased Notably, PrNd Oxide Output to Grow in April

SHANGHAI, Apr 21 (SMM) – The Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT) issued first batch of quotas for rare earth mining, smelting and separation in 2023 on March 24. The quotas for rare earth mining stand at 120,000 mt, up 19% year on year. This includes 109,057 mt for rock ore-type, a year-on-year increase of 22%, as well as 10,943 mt of ion-type rare earth ores, a year-on-year decrease of 5%.

According to SMM statistics, domestic output of PrNd alloy in March 2023 stood at 5,180 mt, down 1.2% MoM. Sichuan and Guangxi cut output slightly. Output in other regions changed little compared with February.

In March, the domestic output of PrNd oxide was 6,011 mt, an increase of 4% month-on-month. Output increased across Shandong and Jiangsu to varying degrees. Output in Jiangxi fell slightly.

It is expected that the output of PrNd oxide will still increase slightly in April, and the output PrNd alloy will be flat from that in March.