Bacanora seeks expansion of German lithium project with newly acquired exploration licence

The Montreal Gazette reports on an Ernst & Young report released this week that points to opportunities for rare earth companies in Canada and elsewhere, as a result of REE export restrictions imposed by China: China’s clampdown on exports of rare earth metals used widely in smartphones and other electronic products, is opening up huge opportunities for the Canadian and international mining industry, consultants Ernst & Young said Wednesday.

The Canadian province of Quebec plans to develop its huge frozen northern reaches into a powerhouse of mining and renewable energy, targeting C$80 billion ($83 billion) of private and public investment. Quebec's 25-year "Plan Nord," launched on Monday, envisages funding for infrastructure, mines and the development of renewable energy, taking advantage of an improving investment climate as the earth warms and polar ice melts.

Dow Jones Newswires reports: Rare-earth mining company Molycorp Inc.'s (MCP) first-quarter loss narrowed due to higher sales volume and a jump in rare-earth prices, although the company's adjusted profit and sales growth missed analysts' expectations. Shares fell 5% to $63.13 in after-hours trading, after closing the regular session down 7.2%. The stock is up 33% this year through Tuesday's close.

Hudson Resources commenced its 2011 drill program at the company's Sarfartoq Rare Earth Element (REE) Project in Greenland. The objective of the program is threefold: (i) upgrade the resource at the ST1 Zone from the "inferred" category to the "indicated" category; (ii) expand the size of the ST1 deposit; and (iii) test several additional REE targets within the Sarfartoq Carbonatite Project.

IAMGOLD Corporation (TSX:IMG)(NYSE:IAG) today announced the results of an independently prepared NI 43-101 compliant preliminary economic assessment ("PEA") on the company's wholly-owned Niobec niobium mine in the province of Quebec, Canada. The PEA shows a significant increase in the measured, indicated and inferred mineral resource estimates at Niobec with the potential for a significant production expansion. The PEA examined the impact of changing the existing underground mine to an alternative bulk mining method. IAMGOLD technical personnel then compared the economics of the open pit scenario and a block caving scenario. The work done on the PEA and the study will be advanced in a 2011 pre-feasibility study to confirm the potential upside of Niobec.

Quantum Rare Earth Developments Corp. (TSX-V:QRE) is pleased to announce the filing of an NI 43-101 resource report on the Elk Creek Carbonatite project in Nebraska. The report specifically deals with the core Niobium zone, and does not reflect results of any of the Rare Earth Element zones also located on the property. The report, prepared by Wardrop, A Tetra Tech Company ("Wardrop") will be available on SEDAR and the Company's website shortly. Image by Quantum Rare Earth Developments Corp.

Japan's imports of rare earths from China rose 40 percent in March from the previous month, Ministry of Finance data showed, with some observers saying demand is so far unaffected by last month's devastating quake though the outlook remains murky.

Quest Rare Minerals Ltd. (TSX VENTURE:QRM) is pleased to report that its Board of Directors has approved funding for a pre-feasibility study […]

Rare earths project developer, Lynas, reckons independent review of its proposed Malaysian processing facility will not pose a delay for project completion.