China cut first round rare earths export quotas in 2011

China cut the export quotas for rare earth by 11 percent for the first round of 2011, according to the Ministry of Commerce.
The government allocated 14,446 metric tons of rare earth exports among 31 companies, compared with 16,304 metric tons in the same period last year, the ministry said in a statement on its website today.
Baotou Huamei Rare Earth Products Co Ltd, got 954 tons of export quota, the largest. It is followed by Baotou Rhodia Rare Earth Co Ltd, with 867 metric tons. Both are based in Baotou, a city in Inner Mongolia.
In a separate statement, the ministry said the government has not decided on the total export quota for 2011, which will be decided based on the total output of rare earths in China, domestic and foreign demand, as well as sustainability.