Rare Earth Elements and Exotic Metals Message Board

To: roofgoat1 who wrote (6139)	1/3/2011 4:29:42 PM
From: The Vet	Read Replies (3) of 9382

The problem isn't restricted to mining the REEs but also to processing the ore to get saleable product. Building a processing facility is expensive, and siting it almost impossible due to the highly polluting nature of the process and the by products which are often radioactive. These small prospective miners of REEs might be able to dig dirt and even produce concentrate if they can get their mine permitted, but that isn't a profitable end product if you can't process it. China has the capacity but that doesn't solve the problem. Lynas has a permit and is actually building a processing plant in Malaysia. In time that processing plant may be more valuable than their mines in Western Australia and Africa combined, which is why it is my pick in this group.