China has for the first time published a list of companies that are authorized to explore and produce rare earths as it attempts to crack down on smuggling of these metallic elements.

According to the list by the Ministry of Land and Resources, Ganzhou Rare Earth Mineral Industry Company based in Jiangxi Province have the mining rights in 43 out of 67 rare earth projects. Baogang Group, based in Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region owns the mining rights on two projects.

The ministry said that ten companies and institutes have the exploration rights to 10 separate projects. China has been regulating its rare earth industry after years of rampant exploration and mining caused damage to the environment.

The government has also cracked down on smuggling of rare earths, a group of metallic elements vital in industries such as defense renewable energy and electronics.

Source - Chinausfocus.com

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