Vietnam rare earths output drops as China’s grows

Output fell to just 600 tonnes last year, according to USGS’ new data, despite Vietnam’s plans to boost output to about 20,000 tonnes to 60,000 tonnes a year by the end of the decade. — Reuters

HANOI: The US geological agency has sharply revised down estimates on Vietnam’s rare earths output and expects a further drop despite its rich resource base, according to an annual report, which showed a rise in dominant producer China’s output.

The US Geological Survey’s (USGS) estimates, published late in January, came only a few months after Vietnamese authorities arrested in October corporate executives who were partnering with Western companies to develop rare earths mining projects in Vietnam.