China’s Oil Addiction Growing

Unless the Chinese government takes steps to cut oil consumption, China’s oil consumption may increase by 60% by 2030. Even worse, over 75% of its oil consumption will have to come from imports. That comes from a new study out by China’s Development Research Center, which highlights China’s alarming trajectory – oil demand will continue to rise and meeting that demand will have to come increasingly from foreign sources. Li Wei, the Director of the Development Research Center, said that China must transform itself to avoid the security and environmental challenges this would bring.

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2014 GRAPHITE OUTLOOK: PRICE REBOUND, SUPPLY SHIFT AND NEW END USES

China’s recent halting of flake graphite production in Pingdu, Shandong, made headlines, and has many investors wondering how supply may shift. Simon Moores, manager of Industrial Minerals Data, tells The Mining Report that he sees an interesting dynamic unfolding in the graphite space over the next five years. As buyers for steel and battery markets compete for limited graphite supplies, the winners will be companies that can deliver the best, tailor-made products. In the meantime, offtake agreements are signaling a new confidence in the sector.

Read more: http://tinyurl.com/l4g9n3x