November 18, 2010

NDTV reports that the US and Japan are set to collaborate on clean technologies and technology metals.

US and Japan Collaborate

The NDTV transcript follows:

On Thursday, Japan and the U.S. reaffirmed the two nations will strengthen cooperation on the development of technology to create clean energy and alternatives to rare earth metals.

[Steven Chu, U.S. Secretary of Energy]:

"The United States and Japan have enjoyed a long and deep friendship, particularly in the areas of scientific cooperation and energy; two areas that the Department of Energy plays a major role in the United States."

Japan and the U.S. also agreed to cooperate on research, including rare earths mining and alternatives to rare earths.

[Akihiro Ohata, Japanese Trade Minister]:

"Both countries will actively cooperate in research - as well as policy making and funding - on materials indispensable to the production of clean energy, such as rare earth and nuclear power."

U.S. Secretary of Energy Steven Chu and Japanese Trade Minister Akihiro Ohata signed a jointed statement in Tokyo.

They also agreed to look into clean energy technologies, including the establishment of a team to promote electric vehicles and plug-in hybrid cars.

Earlier this month, Japan and the U.S. agreed on the need to address the problem of relying too much on a single country for production and supply of rare earth minerals.

China, which accounts for 97 percent of the global output of rare earth minerals, strictly controls their trade, despite pressure from the U.S. and Japan to loosen export constraints.

November 24, 2010

AP reports that China has resumed shipments of rare earths to Japan, ending a long officially denied boycott following a territorial confrontation over the East China Sea.

Japan has responded by working to diversify its supply base. Over the past weeks, the country's officials and companies have been reaching out to Vietnam, Mongolia and Australia in bids to find alternative sources of technology metals. The government has been providing financial support to Japanese companies who are trying to secure the country's supply chain.

"Efforts that aim to diversify the regions and countries from where we import rare earths are intensifying, and I want to increase my efforts even more in this area to demonstrate solid, steady progress," said Japanese trade and industry minister Akihiro Ohata.

November 5, 2010

The New York Times reports that 37 industry groups have signed letters to the leaders of the G-20 governments asking them to make a commitment at their meeting this month in Seoul that trade in crucial rare earths will not be interrupted because of industrial policies or political disputes.

The letter also called for the G-20 leaders and governments to “renounce interference with commercial sale of rare earth elements, domestically or internationally, to advance industrial policy or political objectives.”

Among the 37 groups signing the letter were the Alliance of Automobile Manufacturers, the American Petroleum Institute, the Business Roundtable, the Consumer Electronics Association, the National Association of Manufacturers, the U.S. Magnetic Materials Association, the Brazil-U.S. Business Council, Business Europe, the Canadian Chamber of Commerce, the Federation of Korean Industries and the Japan Electronics and Information Technology Industries Association.

Read the full article here:

http://www.nytimes.com/2010/11/05/business/global/05rarechina.html?_r=2&hp

October 22, 2010

Yesterday, Bolivian president Evo Morales said that the country will proceed without a foreign partner to produce lithium-ion batteries. Morales complained to reporters, "They only want to invest to buy lithium carbonate...we need partners for the industrialization of lithium batteries in Bolivia."

Previously, France's Bollore, Japan's Sumitomo and Mitsubishi and Korea's LG were reported to be interested in working with Boliva. It seems the risk is too high.

The most interesting news is that there really is no shortage of lithium. Bolivia claims to have enough reserves for 5000 years. If this is true, perhaps Bolivia's future will include foreign investment and development of lithium. Let's hope the current leadership doesn't last for millennia.