The following article on the availability of rare earth minerals categorically states (no reference) that China is strategically manipulating availability of rare earth minerals causing steep increases in cost. The article mainly discusses the discovery of huge new deposits of rare earth minerals in the Pacific Ocean east and west of Hawaii in international waters. Is the price of Lithium-based batteries increasing?
"China, which accounts for 97 percent of global rare earth supplies, has been tightening trade in the strategic metals, sparking an explosion in prices."
http://uk.reuters.com/article/2011/0...76300320110705