China could tap North Korea rare earth mine in exchange for solar investment -report

BEIJING (Reuters) - North Korea plans to grant China access to a rare earth mine in exchange for investment in solar energy that could ease its chronic power shortages, a Chinese industry association website reported on Thursday.China is the world's dominant producer of rare earths, a group of 17 chemical elements prized for their use in consumer electronics and military equipment, but neighbouring North Korea is believed to have significant untapped rare earth resources.Putting the cost of a..