Global rare earths monopoly, China allotted 15,738 tons of rare earths as export quota for second batch this year, to total 30,184 tons for the entire year.
According to China's Commerce ministry, rare earth export quotas for 26 companies in the second half year of 2011 will be 15,738 tons.
China produces 97 percent of the world's supply of rare earths, a group of 17 minerals used in electronics, defense and renewable energy industries.
The WTO ruled last week that China breached trade law by curbing exports of eight raw materials, a judgment Europe and the United States said meant China should also be forced to increase exports of 17 rare earths.
The raw materials cited in the WTO ruling did not include rare earths.
Some countries raised concerns about China's export restrictions on rare earths. The government has promised to keep the export quota at reasonable levels to conserve the precious resources and protect the environment.
Export quotas were reduced by 11 percent for the first batch of rare earths this year, after they were slashed 30 to 40 percent in 2010, in a bid to protect sustainable development.
China produced more than 120,000 tons of rare earths last year, with 87,000 tons for domestic use and 34,600 tons for export. The production quota this year is expected to grow by 5 percent, she said.
China's rare earth consumption stood at 87,000 tons in 2010, up 19.2 percent from 2009. Demand is expected to grow by at least 3 percent this year.
Source:
