Rare earth producer halts production

摘要

Supplies of rare earth metals are tightening as China's largest producer of the essential substances plans to suspend production for one month in an effort to bolster prices. Inner Mongolia Baotou Steel Rare Earth (Group) Hi Tech Co. Ltd., often referred to as "Baotou," has suspended production of rare earth metals, according to the The Financial Times. Rare earth metals are used in the manufacture of a range of electronics, including hard drives, optical drives and semiconductors, as well as solar panels and other components. The paper reports that rare earth prices have been on the decline since July, following the shutdown of Japanese electronics manufacturing capacity after the devastating earthquake and tsunami.