Canadian exploration companies are targeting scores of rare earth projects around the world

[Ferro-alloys.com] Albany, NY -- (SBWIRE) -- 03/07/2013 -- Rare earth metals are a group of 17 elements with similar chemical structures with distinct properties.

[Ferro-Alloys.com]Greenland’s premier has said that the EU won’t be given preference over China as the country seeks to exploit its rare earths deposits.

The smuggling of mineral resources out of China, especially rare earths, continues to increase, a senior official from the General Administration of Customs said.

[Ferro-Alloys.com] China'srare earth exports are likely to total 12,000 to 13,000 tons this year. But a trading house employee said exports may not reach 10,000 tons amid a slowdown in the world economy.

[Ferro-Alloys.com] China's rare earth exports are expected to total around 10,000 tons in 2012, the lowest level in 10 years, primarily due to falling demand in Japan, the largest export market, industry sources said Wednesday.

China's Ministry of Commerce last week allowed 2.7% more volume of rare earth element some 30,996 tonnes to leave the country this year than it did in 2011.

[ferro-alloys.com] Jieyuan is one example of environmental damage in Ganzhou, a main producer of rare earth in China. Statistics show the forest cover of seven counties in the city has been destroyed