don't know this was posted yet or not but if not....here goes.....
After China's Rare Earth Embargo, a New
Calculus
Alarmed by China's recent embargo, many countries are now
scrambling to develop new mines or renovate ones long
considered not to be worth the effort.
http://www.nytimes.com/2010/10/30/business/global/30rare.html?nl=&emc=a25