A rare earth mine in China, which this week announced that it would cut its annual export quota for rare earths in 2011. China, which has been blocking shipments of crucial minerals to Japan for the last month, has now quietly halted some shipments of those materials to the United States and Europe, three industry officials said this week. The Chinese action, involving rare earth minerals that are... 

A neodymium magnet, commonly used in motors, loudspeakers and other appliances. Neodymium is a rare earth element. Neodymium is one of 17 metals crucial to green technology. There’s only one snag – China produces 97% of the world’s supply. And they’re not selling. Britain and other Western countries risk running out of supplies of certain highly sought-after rare metals that are vital to a...