[PhantomPholly]

Originally Posted by tomofreno

No, that it is not as much an effect as the subsidizing of the mining industry in China and lower labor costs.

Maybe, maybe not.

China is conducting open-pit mining like we used to do.

Given that most of the "work" is done by machines, it would seem that labor is not the driving factor.

While both contribute, I'm going to have to stick with my original position - that the EPA is a far bigger "cause" of this work moving overseas than labor costs.

[Beemer]

Also vast quantities of quite high concentrations have been found under the coastline of Hawaii. Easily obtained; simply sucked up through a pipe.

Agreed. The filthy act of processing must follow.

[PhantomPholly]

Ya, considerations of China "cheating" aside, looks like we have zero pollution techniques now that may even be competitive.

What I find most interesting is that we think we can to it zero emissions cheaper than buying from China (although admittedly part of this is because they are restricting export supply).

Just another example of supply & demand working just as predicted; e.g. there's no real "shortage" but rather only a "shortage" at the prices people want to pay, for the consequences they are willing to tolerate (EPA, etc.).

[Beemer]

Just like gold & silver really... The market in Neodymium is less likely to exist only on paper as the short sellers have for the other two metals.