China is losing ground in the rare earths that are so important to industry: Four years ago, the country had a monopoly with a market share of just under 98 percent - now there is some competition.
China retains its enormous market power in the production of rare earths, but is slowly losing shares.
While 2010 still 97,6 percent of the high-tech metals came from the People's Republic, the value of 2013 had yielded to 92,1 percent, the Federal Institute for Geosciences and Natural Resources (BGR) said after an evaluation of the current world market figures.
4,3 percent were produced in the US, 2,3 percent in Russia.
Rare earths are in devices such as mobile phones, flat screens or wind turbines, the industry is urgently dependent on them.
The production last fell worldwide. 2009 was funded just under 133.500 tons, 2013 only 90.500 tons.
Search for new occurrences
A strong increase in prices 2011 has led to the search for sources outside of China - worldwide, new deposits have been discovered through 440.
According to BGR, the currently known reserves should reach the current production level for 285 years.
