Ignorance of the RE industry incredible, Lynas doesn't sell little baggies of NdPr to Rotterdam:
"Metal Prices - Rare Earths
Prices are indicative, and based in warehouse Rotterdam duty unpaid unless otherwise stated."
http://www.metal-pages.com/metalprices/rareearths/
Lynas sells 400t per month into LT contracts generally based on 90 day trailing averages.
The latest report from by FAR the largest NdPr producer, from inside China where it matters:
The North Rare Earth maintains PrNd oxide price stable[09-20]
http://www.asianmetal.com/RareEarthsPrice/RareEarths.html
Word I've had is they've been successful in building some incremental premiums into prices based on quality to specifications, probably won't amount to significant dollars current Q, but suggests increased leverage to price recovery.
Equally, or perhaps more, important is their continued ability to place 400tpm as they seek to achieve steady state @ 90% run rate and continue cost optimisation. It is the quality aspect that allows them to place 400tpm ahead of the competition, incl China domestic sales.
And another current report from China that makes a total mockery of the little baggies in Rotterdam gossip:
Neodymium oxide prices steady
2016-09-22 14:24:24
BEIJING (Info-RE) 22-Sept-16 Neodymium oxide prices have been steady in China in the past few days on support from the relatively tight domestic supply and
stable praseodymium/neodymium prices.
Market sources said that 99% neodymium oxide prices are holding about RMB247,000-248,000/tonne($37,105-37,256/tonne), similar to prices seen last week.
Meanwhile, higher prices of about RMB250,000/tonne($37,556/tonne) are also being reported for small deals even though many buyers are not very keen to accept the pricing level.
The stability in praseodymium/neodymium prices coupled with the
small availability in domestic market is cited as the main reason for the steady neodymium oxide prices.
In the meantime, export offer prices of about $39-39.5/kg for the rare earth oxide are being quoted by some exporters whilst
higher export prices above $40/kg are also being reported.
http://www.info-re.com/index.php?/shop/article/2878
Wonder what will happen to prices if the SRB starts buying NdPr next week?
(20min delay)