According to information released by the U.S. Geological Survey, in 2016, eight countries worldwide supplied rare earth elements (based on rare earth oxide statistics), and global production saw a slight overall increase. Molycorp, the sole U.S. producer of rare earth elements, is now controlled by Oaktree Capital and was shut down for maintenance throughout 2016.

　　1. China

　　According to the national mandated production plan, a total of 105,000 tons of rare-earth minerals were produced in 2016, matching the output level of 2015. China has long faced the issue of illegal rare-earth mining. From January to April 2017, eight government departments launched their third joint campaign to crack down on illegal mining activities, and all provinces producing rare-earth minerals actively responded. If it is discovered that a company’s reported rare-earth production volume does not match its sales volume, the company may be banned from further production or have its production quota reduced.

　　Foreign media reported that China plans to begin imposing limits on its annual rare-earth production starting in 2020.

　　2. Australia

　　In 2016, Australia produced a total of 14,000 tons of rare-earth minerals, an increase of 2,000 tons compared to 2015. Australia’s Lynas Corporation currently processes ore from Mount Weld in Australia and then produces rare-earth elements in Malaysia.

　　It is understood that Alkane Resources' zirconium oxide project in Dubbo, New South Wales—whose byproducts include niobium and heavy rare earths—could begin production in 2017.

　　3. Russia

　　In 2016, Russia’s rare-earth production reached 3,000 tons, an increase of 200 tons compared to 2015.

　　Due to production difficulties, the Russian government is dissatisfied with its rare-earth supply and plans to gradually increase rare-earth production based on existing mineral reserves.

　　4. India

　　In 2016, India produced 1,700 tons of rare earths, remaining flat compared to the previous year.

　　In the autumn of 2014, India’s Rare Earths and Toyota Tsusho reached an agreement on deep-sea mining for the exploration and production of rare earth elements. In October 2016, the Economic Times reported that the country “had not yet realized the potential of its rare earth industry,” noting that India holds nearly 35% of the world’s beach sand deposits—important sources of rare earth elements.

　　5. Brazil

　　Brazil’s rare-earth production in 2016 was 1,100 tons, compared to 880 tons in 2015.

　　In 2012, Brazil discovered rare-earth mineral deposits worth 8.4 billion U.S. dollars, but so far, there has been no significant progress.

　　6. Thailand

　　In 2016, Thailand's rare earth production was 800 tons, compared to 760 tons in 2015.

　　7. Vietnam

　　In 2016, Vietnam's rare earth mineral production reached 300 tons, an increase of 50 tons compared to 2015.

　　8. Malaysia

　　Malaysia's rare-earth production decreased from 500 tons in 2015 to 300 tons in 2016.

　　Currently, Australia’s Lynas Advanced Materials Corporation (LAMP), the world’s largest rare-earth separation plant, is located in Malaysia. LAMP transports ore from Australia to Malaysia for separation.

　　In addition, it is understood that Myanmar has already begun supplying relatively small quantities of rare-earth concentrates and oxides. The rare-earth project operated by Peak Resources in Ngualla, Tanzania, is also progressing smoothly. Meanwhile, at the beginning of 2017, both RES and Rainbow announced that they expected to start supplying rare-earth materials in 2017.