Japan, the United States and the European Union asked the World Trade Organization on Wednesday to form a panel to resolve a dispute over China's export restrictions on rare earths.

A Foreign Ministry spokesman defended China's policy adjustment on rare earth exports on Thursday, stating that setting quotas is aimed at protecting the environment.

China released 1st batch of 2012 export quotas for rare earth metals on Dec 26th, 2011.

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China's Ministry of Commerce released 2nd batch of 2011 export quotas for rare earth metals on July 14th, 2011.

The Ministry of Land and Resource of China released a notice on 2011 mining total of the tungsten ore, antimony and rare earth, which confirmed the mining total of rare earth (REO)

Analysts believe the tax lift indicates that the government is tightening its control on rare earth resources, and the price for this scarce metal is likely to continue to rise.

Analysts believe the tax lift indicates that the government is tightening its control on rare earth resources, and the price for this scarce metal is likely to continue to rise. Data shows that the average price for rare earth is currently $44,361 per ton, alm...