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While China continues to be the rare earth industry leader, producing about 92% of the global output, its share in global production has decreased steadily in recent years, a study by Germany’s Federal Institute for Geosciences and Natural Resources (BGR) released last week  shows.

According to the Hannover-base institute, in 2010 the Asian nation covered 97.6% of worldwide demand, which means China’s piece of the pie has shortened by 5.7% in the last three years.

Profits, in turn, slumped 28% to less than $1.3 billion, as prices for the elements a used by variety of industries including green technology, defence systems and consumer electronics, continued to fall.

Read more at: http://www.mining.com/chinas-stake-in-rare-earths-market-shrinking-36907/?utm_source=digest-en-mining-140317&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=digest

Japan’s Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI) has begun accepting applications from individuals and companies for a new subsidy program for stationary lithium-ion batteries.

The program will cover 2/3 of the cost of qualifying systems, up to USD 10,000 for individuals and USD 1 million for corporations. METI has dedicated a budget of USD 100 million to the program.

Read more at: http://www.solarserver.com/solar-magazine/solar-news/current/2014/kw12/japan-begins-subsidy-program-for-lithium-ion-batteries.html

The Subcommittee on Energy and Power, chaired by Rep. Ed Whitfield (R-KY), has scheduled a hearing for Tuesday, March 25, 2014, to review H.R. 6, the Domestic Prosperity and Global Freedom Act.

Responding to Russia’s recent actions in the Crimea region and the US Department of Energy’s (DOE) slow export approval process, Rep. Cory Gardner (R-CO) introduced H.R. 6 to expedite exports of US liquefied natural gas (LNG) to its allies.

If passed, the legislation would grant immediate approval of complete export applications currently filed with the DOE, ensuring that exports to allies get underway without unnecessary delays.

Read more at:  http://www.lngindustry.com/news/liquefaction/articles/UPDATE_US_exports_to_be_reviewed_by_The_Subcommittee_On_Energy_and_Power.aspx#.UygyAahdUbA

Jakarta. The State-Owned Enterprises Ministry has issued a regulation that requires all mining companies to dig deeper to explore the possibility of new mineral resources.

“The depth must be 800 meters and they must drill three shafts to find a new supply of coal and we will arrange the production quota of coal in each region,” the director of the new mineral education program, Paul Lubis, said at the ministry said Monday.

Read more at: http://www.thejakartaglobe.com/business/new-coal-limits-welcomed-east-kalimantan/

(Reuters) – The World Bank delivered a blunt assessment of Indonesia ban on mineral ore exports on Tuesday, warning that it would hit trade and government revenue and risked undermining already weak investor sentiment towards Southeast Asia’s biggest economy.

Implemented in January, five years after the law was initially passed, the ban has been met with confusion in the mining sector.

Read more at: http://in.reuters.com/article/2014/03/18/indonesia-mining-worldbank-idINL3N0MF1HB20140318

Panasonic is laying the groundwork for a massive networked deployment of lithium-ion batteries in solar-equipped homes and businesses to solve Japan’s post-Fukushima energy crisis — and it’s looking to California and other U.S. markets for the business models to make this distributed energy system work.

Read more at:http://www.greentechmedia.com/articles/read/liedo-panasonics-distributed-grid-ready-battery-network

The demand for hard-to-find rare-earth elements needed for portable electronics and batteries for hybrid vehicles continues to push mining companies to scour the ocean floors.

Since 2001 the United Nations’ International Seabed Authority has issued 30 exploration permits for the Pacific, Mid-Atlantic and Indian Oceans. But BBC News correspondent Nick Davis says there has been a rush of late, with another seven ready to be issued.

Read more at: http://www.mining.com/the-ocean-floor-is-rare-earth-miners-new-frontier-report-55030/

BHP Billiton has put out the feelers on a sale of its West Australian nickel business, valued at up to $1 billion to take advantage of the interest in rising nickel prices, according the The Australian.

Read more at: http://agmetalminer.com/2014/03/17/bhp-billiton-tries-to-sell-its-nickel-business-as-prices-keep-rising/

BHP Billiton announced the appointment of a new chief executive, Andrew Mackenzie, this time last year. Mackenzie has increased concentration on capital discipline and productivity at the group’s largest, longest-life, lowest-cost assets where there are economies of scale and a competitive advantage.

A shake-up of senior executives upped the focus on operational excellence: five business leadership roles were filled by executives with deep operational experience.

Read more at: http://uk.finance.yahoo.com/news/bhp-billiton-plc-changing-091705097.html

Lithium demand is rising rapidly, thanks to the growing need for lithium-ion batteries in electric cars, consumer electronics, and energy storage. From 2000 to 2012, total lithium consumption grew an average of 6.4 percent a year, according to the US Geological Survey.

Read more at: http://www.bostonglobe.com/business/2014/03/16/lithium-producer-chases-tesla-bold-battery-plan/9auVjTrGywndK2loaw2JbM/story.html