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Chalmers sell-down order adds to crazy tale of rare earths intrigue

Treasury orders forcing Chinese interests to sell shares in Northern Minerals comes as Australia faces hard questions on Chinese involvement in our critical minerals sector.  

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There’s something almost cinematic about the rollicking tale of intrigue that has enveloped the $212 million rare earths hopeful Northern Minerals.

Once upon a time, a small Australian company, which one day hopes to mine two little known minerals – dysprosium and terbium, which are crucial to the production of high-performance magnets, batteries and defence equipment – was targeted by a mysterious Chinese businessman, Wu Tao.

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James Thomson is senior Chanticleer columnist based in Melbourne. He was the Companies editor and editor of BRW Magazine. Connect with James on Twitter. Email James at j.thomson@afr.com

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    Original URL: https://www.afr.com/chanticleer/chalmers-sell-down-order-adds-to-crazy-tale-of-rare-earths-intrigue-20240603-p5jisd