Rare Earth Elements, as defined by the IUPAC, are a collection of seventeen chemical elements in the periodic table, specifically the fifteen lanthanides plus scandium and yttrium (source: Wikipedia). As any good geologist would tell you, REEs are in fact not that rare at all. The earths crust is abundant with these minerals and they can be found in all regions of the globe. What makes them rare is their abundance in concentration, most Rare Earth deposits are highly disseminated, or dispersed, within the crust. Therefore, finding and locating an economical concentration of these elements can be highly profitable.
TVs, laptops, cell phones, ipads. All of these hot tech devices require REEs. Moreover, Rare Earths actually play a fundamental role in the development of renewable energy, hybrid vehicles, clean air and carbon emissions control. We utilize these elements in the development of batteries, motor magnets, hydrogen storage, infrared lasers, computer memory, ceramic materials, and countless other applications. Up until now, China has largely controlled the distribution of these elements.
I find it ironic that REEs are what is driving the renewable energy movement. In essence, we must mine the surface of the earth to develop more efficient motors and electric lights. Wind turbines, solar panels, hybrid car batteries and fiber optics all seem “green” to the consumer but the reality is all of these technologies require an increase in mining for REEs.
What’s important about all this is that just this week China announced that it will be limiting its Rare Earth exports to the US and Europe and thereby setting off alarms in the manufacturing sector, an industry that heavily relies on REEs. (See also: China to Tighten Limits on Rare Earth Exports).
In light of this news, this week I have chosen to highlight a Canadian Rare Earth company that I believe has some excellent prospects and the potential to do very well in 2011.
Canadian International Minerals (TSX.V:CIN) is a mineral exploration company focused on the development of Rare Earth Elements (REEs) primarily in British Columbia but also in other regions across Canada.
Some things I like about CIN:
- Canadian International Minerals is awaiting rare earth assay results for the recently completed drilling on its Carbo Property in British Columbia.
- Trenching is underway on the Dead Horse Creek rare earth property in Ontario.
- The Copper Mountain property is in a copper camp that produced 1.42 billion pounds of copper, 8.5 million ounces of silver and 499.5 thousand ounces of gold between the years 1908 to 1996.
Right now Michael Schuss, President and CEO of CIN is in Norway discussing a deal with a major silicon producer called Elkem. Look for news in the next few weeks on assay results, likely to be out before the 21st of January, just in time for the next major mineral symposium in Canada: Roundup.
Disclaimer: I hold shares in CIN.
I love your header- Calgary looks amazing- makes me really want to go to the stampede this summer (I say it every year but never make it there!)
this is a great post- I have been hearing more and more about these Rare Earth minerals, thanks for shining some light on it.
[…] increased my position mid-month in both REL and CIN. Assay results have been expected from CIN for quite some time now and rumors are starting to fly […]
I appreciated how you took the time to research the stock and advised as to its history, its present, and the future. Very cool and inciteful. I really like your tagline as well, if I never mentioned that to you. It pretty much sums up what life should be about.
[…] Realist is a new two-month old blog, so fresh the ink is still wet on the monitor. There’s a nice write up on rare earth elements (REE), and why the mining industry has been abuzz with rare earths for the last couple […]