Chinalco Stops Rare Earth Mining After Environmental Inspections

China’s largest state-owned aluminum producer halted operations of three rare earth mining operations in South China’s Guangxi autonomous region after central government environmental inspectors found serious problems at the facilities.

At an emergency meeting July 2, Chinalco Chairman Ge Honglin called for the company’s more than 600 subsidiaries to “resolutely follow discharge standards and make no excuses,” according to a company statement.

Rare earth minerals like neodymium and praseodymium are critically important for creating components used in such devices as computers and smartphones, solar panels, electric vehicles, and advanced weaponry. China is the world’s leading producer of ...