China has quietly issued its first 2025 rare earth mining and smelting quotas without the typical public statement, sources with knowledge of the matter said this week, another sign of Beijing tightening its control over the crucial sector.

The shipment volumes are still lower than before China imposed export restrictions on the metals in April. View on euronews

The delay in this year's quotas is partly due to a proposal introduced in February to add imported ore to the quota system.