Rare earths on shaky ground

A rare earth mine in Xichang, Sichuan province. China's rare earth ore production was 41,000 metric tons in the first half of the year, according to the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology. Provided to China Daily

China's exports of rare earth ores and downstream products have increased month after month this year, but many companies are struggling as prices and demand stay low and overseas supplies rise, said a senior official on Thursday.