May 31 2011
Areva and Rhodia will work in rare earths
Areva and Rhodia announced Tuesday their collaboration to form joint bids to develop and exploit deposits of uranium and mixed rare earths.
Ultimately, the agreement provides that the collaboration may take the form of technical audits and studies on joint deposits, joint venture or joint participation in mining projects led by Areva and others explain the two groups in a statement.
This collaboration is for the chemicals group Rhodia "a new stage in the policy of diversifying its commitment to secure access to land rare most popular," said Frederic Carencotte, industrial director of Rhodia Rare Earth Systems, said in the statement.
Areva, it will allow "access to new sources of uranium and to contribute to supplies of strategic metals such as Rhodia actors," explains Sebastian Montessus his part, director of mining specialist public nuclear .
China provides 97% of world supply of rare earths, a term that refers to the electromagnetic properties of 17 metals in high demand in advanced technologies such as hybrid and electric cars, renewable energy, electronics or weapons.
Beijing has cut export quotas by 40% in 2010, a move that has alarmed the buyers and business partners.
Comments Off