The metals and coal sectors aren't demand driven, but they are price sensitive to the dearth of incremental supply, particularly coal, iron ore and even copper with all its mine outages.

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Energy minister John Hughes said the government would do all it could to support the mine and its staff.

BBC: Daw Mill mine fire 'may last months'

Today, the mine is closed and America imports all of its rare earths from China, which controls 97 percent of the global market.

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The union accepts the company's explanation, that some job losses are inevitable if the mine is to stay open at all, but its members feel let down.

ECONOMIST: South Africa