rare earths with a 12 cents close, page-47

Hilary Clinton on Rare Earths in The Australian today.

"US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton has called for scrutiny of China's policy on rare earths.

China earlier this year curtailed export quotas of the metals, used by hi-tech companies and carmakers, and in military equipment. It currently controls 97 per cent of the world's supply.

Mrs Clinton, who is leaving Australia today after weekend defence and security talks, said the US and Australia "need to discuss in depth the supply of rare-earth minerals".

"The slow-down . . . raised questions in many of our minds that it is not -- whether it is China or anyone else -- wise to be so dependent upon a single source for elements that are critical to many of the most advanced civilian and military technologies that countries like Australia and the US produce and utilise," Mrs Clinton said."