SOME TRENDS OF THE WORLD REE MARKET AND PROSPECTS FOR RUSSIA

Abstract

The paper presents a review of some trends observed on the world market of rare-earth elements (REE). This review takes into account actual changes in the commercial and industrial policy of China and the current trends of REE consumption. Main characteristics of the modern REE markets are considered. The paper provides an assessment of world production volumes, world trade and prices. The article describes the REE market behavior in 2000–2020 and provides a forecast of main indicators and prices up to 2020. It contains a description of current world REE resources, production and trade over the main countries. In addition, the prices and the main buyers of REE are specified indicating the forecast of consumption. The prospects of the Russian REE market are estimated taking into account the «Development of the Rare and Rare-Earth Elements Industry» subprogram implemented as part of the State Program of the Russian Federation «Industry Development and Competitiveness Improvement». The purpose of the subprogram is to create a competitive rare-earth industry of an integrated production cycle in the Russian Federation in order to satisfy the needs of the domestic defense industry complex, civil industries and enter the foreign markets. It is noted that this subprogram should be upgraded with regard to changes in the market conditions and development of rare-earth elements production in the Russian Federation including by means of statutory, non-tariff and technical regulation. Loparite and apatite will remain the main sources of rare-earth elements as raw materials for industrial processing in Russia in the near future, while REE production from apatite will increase. It is emphasized that the prospects of REE development in Russia consist not so much in increasing the primary production as in establishing new plants consuming rare-earth products.