SYDNEY, Nov 2 (Reuters) - Australian rare earths explorer
Arafura Resources
"Because ECE did not participate in the earlier one this year, there was always some uncertainty that would or would not participate this time around," Ward said. "I cannot say why they didn't participate again, but this will not change our timetable," Ward said.
Arafura is among a handful of rare earths prospectors racing to get projects up and running to fill forecast supply shortfalls caused by a tightening of Chinese exports of the elements used in a range of high-tech products.
ECE would have added a further A$25.9 million to last week's A$90 million placement, designed to help fund development of Arafura's Nolans Bore rare earths mine in Australia, which Ward estimates could yield 20,000 tonnes of rare earth oxides annually for 20 years. (Reporting by James Regan)