Rare Earth Prices Edge up on Crackdowns and Improvement in Downstream Sector (8-12 Jul. 2013)

SHANGHAI, Jul. 15 (SMM) – SMM survey reveals that prices for rare earth products rose last week driven by the improvement in permanent magnet sector and as the three-month crackdowns expected on illegal mines across the nation left traders reluctant to sell goods.

Last week, prices were RMB 27,000/mt for lanthanum oxide, RMB 27,500/mt for cerium oxide, RMB 385,000/mt for praseodymium oxide, RMB 255,000/mt for neodymium oxide, RMB 283,000/mt for didymium oxide, RMB 3,800/kg for europium oxide, RMB 1,450/kg for dysprosium oxide, RMB 129,800/mt for gadolinium oxide, RMB 50,500/mt for cerium misch metal, RMB 360,000/mt for praseodymium-neodymium alloy and RMB 1,475,000/mt for dysprosium-iron alloy.

SMM believes rare prices may rise further due to the nationwide crackdowns, but increases will be limited by weak end-user demand.