...Limited Access: The Rare Earth Element Industry The global market for rare earth elements (REEs) has caused widespread concern in today’s international business environment. Currently, global deposits and reserves are only concentrated in a small number of countries with China being the world's largest supplier due to their optimal geology, complete control over mining supply chains and unique infrastructure to mine and process REEs consistently. In the 1990’s, China’s private and governmental mining companies explored and produced REEs with little to no regulation and as a result, local production had sky-rocketed, allowing China to effectively out-compete other nations in the global mining industry. In 2002, China’s central government restructured their domestic industry by branding REEs as a protected strategic resource and therefore issued a complete government take over of domestic supply processes, which has allowed them to internationally restrict the access of REEs. Additionally, China’s production of over 95% of the world’s REEs and possession of 89% of the global REE reserves has resulted in foreign dependency on their production supply. The U.S., for example, imports as much as 91% while Japan and the E.U. import almost all of their REEs from China. China’s Protectionism over REE resources through practices of imposing internal production and export quotas, restricting foreign investment and enforcing tax regulation over domestic REE production, has strangled...
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...Earth Elements: Breaking The Chinese Monopoly Plan: The United States federal government will sponsor U.S. companies who are willing to mine rare earth elements from the seabed. The United States federal government will also ratify the Law of the Sea in order to substantially increase U.S. exploration and/or development of the Earth’s oceans. Access To Rare Elements is Essential To U.S. National Security Vital Elements of U.S. Industrial Production are Dependent on Rare Earth Element Marc Humphries, (Specialist in Energy Policy), Congressional Research Service, December 16, 2013. Retrieved November 5, 2014 from http://fas.org/sgp/crs/natsec/R41347.pdf. Some of the major end uses for rare earth elements include use in automotive catalytic converters, fluid cracking catalysts in petroleum refining, phosphors in color television and flat panel displays (cell phones, portable DVDs, and laptops). Other uses include permanent magnets and rechargeable batteries for hybrid and electric vehicles, generators for wind turbines, and numerous medical devices. There are important defense applications, such as jet fighter engines, missile guidance systems, anti missile defense, space-based satellites and communication systems. Permanent magnets containing neodymium, gadolinium, dysprosium, and terbium are used in numerous electrical and electronic components such as new- generation generators for wind turbines. Marc Humphries, (Specialist in Energy Policy)...
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...Policy Brief to address the issue of South Korean access to rare-earth minerals Eleonora Nam 201232133 "China controls about 95% of the global supply of rare-earth minerals, which are used in everything from consumer electronics to batteries to defense systems. In recent years the government has reduced its export quotas to secure greater control over prices...China's export restrictions on rare earths have been the focus of the international policy and market pressures in recent months." - Wall Street Journal Issue: China is the "world leader" in the reserves and "production" of rare earth minerals - raw material for the production of metals. It produces 95-97% of all rare earth elements on earth. Moreover, China does not allow the export of rare earth elements as raw materials, only finished products that are made in China. China's monopoly power in the REE market allows to influence "international affairs". As Elliot Brennan pointed out, with the increasing demand, reduced exports of Beijing in recent years is forcing high-tech companies to move to China and governments to invest in their "exploration" and "production." Most importantly, this power allows China to manipulate the prices of the rare earths, for the demand is increasing each year. Nowadays, none of the technology industry can do without the use of the rare earths, which are necessary for the production of products such as smart phones, wind turbines, batteries for electric vehicles, as well as...
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...Background 1. China holds 95% of the world's rare earth metals supply, and now controls 97% of the market. 2. In July, 2010, China reduced its rare earth export quota by 72%, sending prices soaring. Not only that, but it also has export taxes ranging from 15% to 25% on the metals. 3. The global demand for rare-earth permanent magnets will continue to grow at today’s rate of 10% pa. Therefore four years from now, in 2015, the demand will have grown by nearly 50%. 4. Molycorp would like to share 10-20% of that investment (and risk) with a partner over the course of 5-20 years. Strength 1. We can produce rare earths for $1.25 a pound. At the same time, China's cost is $2.53 a pound. 2. Manufacturers in Japan and elsewhere, hesitant to trust their future raw materials supply to China. 3. There is the second largest mine in California, America. Weakness 1. Today rare-earth-containing products supply chain, except for the first step, the mining, exists only in Japan. So we may need the cooperation with the Japanese Company. 2. If we cannot make a deal with Sumitomo, we will suffer a loss and have to find another partner. Goals 1. Try to build the long-term relationship of the rare-earth business with Sumitomo. 2. Try to raise 10-20% of the investment. 3. We need the technical help of purifying water with efficient. 4. We will offer Sumitomo a discount of the products, such as lower than the present market price, but the price...
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...known Universe expanded and it became known that no such creatures existed. The only place to seek for non-human life now is other planets. Is there any hope for finding it? There are a great number of theories concerning extraterrestrial life. According to the “rare Earth hypothesis”, the conditions on Earth are close to unique and the possibility of them taking place on any other planet is close to zero. However, this theory takes it for granted that the appearance of life requires conditions identical to those on Earth. But is it true? If life on other planets exists, it may be completely different from what we are used to not only in form, but in fundamental principles as well. Of all the chemical elements only carbon and silicon seem to be suitable for being the basis of life, although silicon can form connections with far less other elements. Needless to say, we have never encountered silicon-based lifeforms, but if they exist, they may have properties that have nothing in common with what we used to associate life with. According to another theory, life may be a rather common thing in the Universe; even in our Solar system at least several planets (Venus, Mars, Titan, Ganymede, Europa) in addition to Earth show signs of having atmosphere and in theory may host some primitive lifeforms. All in all, taking into account the vastness of Universe and the minuteness of our knowledge of it, it is very improbable that life...
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...known Universe expanded and it became known that no such creatures existed. The only place to seek for non-human life now is other planets. Is there any hope for finding it? There are a great number of theories concerning extraterrestrial life. According to the “rare Earth hypothesis”, the conditions on Earth are close to unique and the possibility of them taking place on any other planet is close to zero. However, this theory takes it for granted that the appearance of life requires conditions identical to those on Earth. But is it true? If life on other planets exists, it may be completely different from what we are used to not only in form, but in fundamental principles as well. Of all the chemical elements only carbon and silicon seem to be suitable for being the basis of life, although silicon can form connections with far less other elements. Needless to say, we have never encountered silicon-based lifeforms, but if they exist, they may have properties that have nothing in common with what we used to associate life with. According to another theory, life may be a rather common thing in the Universe; even in our Solar system at least several planets (Venus, Mars, Titan, Ganymede, Europa) in addition to Earth show signs of having atmosphere and in theory may host some primitive lifeforms. All in all, taking into account the vastness of Universe and the minuteness of our knowledge of it, it is very improbable that...
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...THE PATH FROM HERE 2013 AnnuAl RepoRt Contents 8 Chairman’s letter 12 Ceo’s Review 20 Global Market Activity 22 Directors’ Report 31 Corporate Governance Statement 41 Remuneration Report 56 Independent Auditor’s Report 58 Auditor’s Independence Declaration 59 Financial Report 110 ASX Additional Information 112 Corporate Information Lynas has continued to achieve significant milestones during FY2013. With our vision to become the leader in Rare Earths for a sustainable future in sight, we remain committed to our core values: Safe for people Safe for the environment Secure for cuStomerS lYnAS CoRpoRAtIon lIMIteD ANNUAL REPORT 2013 1 SAFE FOR PEOPLE Focussed on the Safety and health of our employeeS, buSineSS partnerS and the community. At Lynas, we are dedicated to becoming the benchmark for occupational safety and health standards in the global Rare Earths industry by providing and maintaining a safe working environment and preventing injury, illness and impairment to the health of our employees, business partners and the community. Our goal is Zero Harm. LOst timE injuRY FREquEncY RAtiO chemicals industry peer 1 chemicals industry peer 2 lynas Corporation mining industry peer 1 chemicals industry peer 3 mining industry peer 2 chemicals industry peer 4 mining industry peer 3 0.5 0.8 0.9 1.5 1.7 1.9 2.4 3.7 2 lYnAS CoRpoRAtIon lIMIteD ANNUAL REPORT 2013 3 4 SAFE FOR THE ENVIRONMENT paving the way in world claSS Safety and environmental...
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...Tales of aliens have been around for centuries. According to the dictionary the word “alien” means “a creature from outer space.” There are many people who doubt that aliens are real, but there are many who believe. The theory about aliens and intelligent life has been around for a long time from movies to books. However, the Bible does not directly mention extraterrestrials, but many think that aliens are demons. However, the theory has not been yet proven, and most likely will not be, many think they are. It is a possibility that God had made aliens and intelligent life on other planets that are a million times smarter than us. Its a possibility, but most likely not. Space is huge we haven’t even explored some of the earth, yet so no one knows for sure if aliens are real. Another thing that gives...
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...well everywhere. He supposed his first assignment was to organise all this shit. “Sorry nobody down here except Britain's most unwanted.” Potter’s voice carried across the room, leaping over the stacks of filing and empty containers to stride over to Draco in that arrogant way he had always hated. Extending his right hand to shake his. The irony was not lost on Draco. “You’re the one who’s been assigned to the project?” Potter asked incredulously, appearing not to have seen Malfoy until now. There wasn’t any outright hatred detected but it could just be shock.. “Oh I get it.” Draco said quietly. “You’re running wild down here and they thought, Oh! Who’s the only person on earth to keep you in check? Oh of course! I got reassigned not for my intelligence or work ethic, but because I’m the only one on earth that can piss you off!” Potter’s face changed from his previous expression to one of more wry determination. An eyebrow arched in cheeky way as if asking,...
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...life that does not originate from Earth. It is often also referred to as alien. “Alien” is a very familiar word even though many of us have never met or seen them. They are in TV or movies, and especially the Hollywood productions love to make movies about extraterrestrials. For example, ET (1982) is one of the famous SF movies. The alien, ET is very friendly to people, and it has an ability of making object flying. Since they are only a part of blockbuster movies, most of times people are careless about aliens; however, there are many incidents that show they are real. There are three significant signs that prove they are real such as we are able to suspect another life form in an infinite universe, have UFO sighting everywhere in the world, and have experiences of many people’s alien abduction. First, there must be another life form among the limitless galaxies. Since the universe began in the Big Bang about 15 billion years ago, it has constantly expanded. Therefore, the universe is infinite and Earth is just considered like a grain of sand. The universe is divided into two parts; the observable and the non-observable. There are countless planets and solar systems in the observable universe. Is it true that the Earth is the only planet where life exits in the infinite universe? If there are sunlight and water, life forms could be existed. Therefore, in the universe, there must be similar solar systems to ours and many planets like Earth that they can be eligible for sustaining...
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...Neodymium and Wind Turbines Even though the rare earth elements form the largest chemical group in the periodic table, they are generally unfamiliar and do not gain much attention. Nonetheless, the rare earth elements are crucial for many application in different fields. For instance, high technology and environmental application of the rare earth elements have been importantly developed in the past few decades. One of the most important application from the rare earth elements is permanent magnets, which do not lose its magnetic field or lose the magnetic field in a very low rate in a long period of time. The reasons give such a distinguished characteristic to the magnets is that rare earth magnets are ferromagnetic, and they have a crystalline structure. Among the other rare earth elements, neodymium with iron and boron create the most powerful magnet. This unusual strength happens because of the tetragonal crystalline structure of the compound. This powerful permanent magnet is widely used in many application, especially wind turbines, and it result in many significant profits. Rare earth elements are the sets of seventeen chemical elements in the periodic table, specifically the fifteen lanthanides plus scandium and yttrium. They are cerium (Ce), dysprosium (Dy), erbium (Er), europium (Eu), gadolinium (Gd), holmium (Ho), lanthanum (La), lutetium (Lu), neodymium (Nd), praseodymium (Pr), promethium (Pm), samarium (Sm), scandium (Sc), terbium (Tb), thulium (Tm), ytterbium...
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...is “Ds”, chemical element with atomic number 110. It is produced artificially by nuclear fusion. Each Darmstadtium atom has a very large nucleus, or central mass, containing positively charged particles called protons and neutral particles called neutrons. Dirk Coster He is known as the co-discoverer of Hafnium (Hf) (element 72) in 1923, along with George Charles von Hevesy, by means of X-ray spectroscopic analysis of zirconium ore. The discovery took place in Copenhagen, Denmark. Dmitri Mendeleev He is credited as being the creator of the first version of the periodic table of elements. Using the table, he predicted the properties of elements yet to be discovered. DUBNIUM (Db) It is a chemical element with the symbol Db and atomic number 105, named after the town of Dubna in Russia, where it was first produced. DYSPROSIUM (Dy) Its chemical symbol is “Dy”, metallic element with an atomic number of 66. Dysprosium is one of the rare earth elements in the lanthanide series of the periodic table. Döbereiner, Johann Wolfgang He was a German chemist who is best known for work that foreshadowed the periodic law for the chemical elements. Edwin M. McMillan He was an American physicist and Nobel laureate credited with being the first ever to produce a transuranium element. He shared the Nobel...
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...Metal is a chemical element displaying certain properties by which it has the ability to conduct heat and electricity. The metals comprise about two thirds of the known elements. Some metals, including copper, tin, iron, lead, gold, silver, and mercury, have been around for many years, so long, that they were known to people in ancient times. Copper is probably the oldest known metal, known to humans. Metals differ so widely in hardness, tensile strength, density, and melting point that a definite line of distinction between them and the nonmetals cannot be drawn. The hardest elemental metal is chromium with the softest being cesium. Most metals are malleable, but gold, silver, copper, tin, and aluminum are extremely so. Some metals exhibiting great tensile strength are copper, iron, and platinum. In the heavy metal category, beginning with the most dense, are osmium, iridium, platinum, gold, tungsten, uranium, tantalum, mercury, hafnium, lead, and silver. When it comes to industrial uses, the melting points of the metals are important. Tungsten is the hardest metal known to man, and it only melts at extremely high temperatures that reach over 3,300 degrees Celsius, while cesium has a melting point of 28.5 degrees Celsius. The best metallic conductor of electricity is silver. Copper, gold, and aluminum follow in that order. All metals are relatively good conductors of heat with silver, copper, and aluminum at the top of the list. The radioactive metal uranium is used in reactor...
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...eggs and even more time for the eggs to hatch. The types of offspring is dependent on the parents. In addition, there is some sort of luck involved in breeding that you may not get the dragon you are looking for 100% of the time. When you first start the game, we recommend you to start from generation 1 and breed a couple high generation dragons. However, slow down on the Pure Dragon breeding (We label it generation 4 and 4.5) because the long breeding time can hinder your game play. Basic Breeding Dragons To start breeding the dragons, you must first have these basic building blocks. You must purchase these dragons from eggs because you do not have the parents to generate and mate for these basic dragons. Plant Dragon Fire Dragon Earth Dragon Water Dragon Electric Dragon Ice Dragon Metal Dragon Dark Dragon Generation 1 Breeding Dragons Below is a complete list of “Rank 1″ dragons that you can build by using single step from the basic dragons in Dragon City. The dragons may be repeated in each of the subsection simply for your...
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...Thesis Statement: Strategic Management is Vital in Solving Resource-based Conflict Introduction Conflict, and conflict management are inherent and unavoidable elements of strategic management. Due to the involvement of the various stakeholders in both the internal and extern al environments who have differing perspectives as well as agendas in the multiple stages in strategic management process, and overall, the organization’s operations, conflict will manifest itself. In some scenarios conflict presents itself as a part of the methods and processes applied to develop strategic outcomes such as positioning strategies, or as outcomes stemming from strategic decisions made by management, and finally, in their implementation. In resource-based conflict, particularly those that involve rare earth elements such as the conflict that evolves around the discovery of oil in Turkana by Tullow Oil, it is important to understand the background of the conflict from a strategic management perspective. The Resource Based View (RBV) proffers that the competitive advantage of a firm or organization is largely dependent on the application of the bundle resources at its disposal. In mentioning competition, which is a subset of conflict, this sets the pace for making sense of why there is always a sense of conflict around resources. The Resource Based View provides a set of criteria for the evaluation of these resources, known as the “VRIN”...
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