This Month
Japanese giant buys Aussie battery start-up in coal to minerals pivot
Idemitsu has taken majority control of Vecco Group as it tries to move towards investments in critical minerals and energy storage.
- Peter Ker
Allens tips ‘action-packed’ year for lithium dealmakers
The top-tier law firm is getting ready for better deal-making conditions in 2025 as prices and demand rebound from a turbulent year for the critical minerals sector.
- Alex Gluyas
AustralianSuper’s graphite bet Syrah defaults on US government debt
More than $370 million of loans have helped keep the miner afloat, but civil unrest in Mozambique has halted production there and triggered default clauses.
- Peter Ker
CEFC hands $116m for private equity-backed mining decarbonisation
Resource Capital Funds will use the money to invest in new Australian projects that focus on minerals used in the energy transition such as lithium and copper.
- Alex Gluyas
- Analysis
- Iluka Resources
Taxpayers have just made a $1.65b bet on a rare earths green premium
It’s the recipient of the second-biggest government loan in history. For the Eneabba project to succeed, everything about how minerals are priced must change.
- Peter Ker
- Updated
- Iluka Resources
Iluka lands $400m taxpayer loan to get rare earth refinery on track
But investors are worried that the cost of the Eneabba project in Western Australia will make it hard for the company to make a return once it is operational.
- Updated
- Peter Ker and Tom Rabe
Australian rare earth miners warned on US-China trade war
Australian critical minerals companies reliant on China for processing or production could face more headwinds as the Beijing-Washington trade war heats up.
- Matthew Cranston
November
This ASX-listed company could win big from Trump’s tariffs
Chris Burns, who helms Tennessee-based Novonix, says higher imposts on critical minerals processed in China would make his products more attractive to US buyers.
- Matthew Cranston
Forrest hands Hastings a reprieve after chairman capitulates on debt
The billionaire’s private Wyloo Metals business has agreed to withdraw a default notice that would have pushed the rare earths explorer into insolvency.
- Peter Ker
Forrest’s Wyloo declares solvency concerns over Hastings rare earths
Andrew Forrest’s Wyloo Metals has challenged directors of rare earths aspirant Hastings to explain how their debt-laden company remains solvent.
- Peter Ker
Cash-strapped Hastings yet to draw on taxpayer-funded loan
It’s almost 33 months since the rare earths aspirant was announced as the recipient of millions in taxpayers funds. But the money has never been accessed.
- Peter Ker
Forrest debt feud threatens future of rare earths hopeful Hastings
The West Australian developer took a loan from its chairman, angering its biggest financier, the billionaire businessman’s private mining vehicle.
- Peter Ker
Titanium play IperionX grabs fundie attention
The critical minerals darling has popped up in the portfolios of small-cap managers Regal, Pengana and Terra Capital.
- Sarah Thompson, Kanika Sood and Emma Rapaport
South32 partner soars 108pc on Trump win
Investors have bet the explorer’s chances of building a critical minerals project in Alaska have been boosted after the Republican nominee secured the presidency.
- Peter Ker
Rio Tinto wants tax credits for aluminium smelters
The mining giant has urged the Albanese government to use taxpayers’ funds to help local aluminium smelters pivot to clean energy.
- Peter Ker
October
Net zero push at risk without Australian critical minerals: King
Resources Minister Madeleine King says mining has improved its reputation but must keep working at it to counter efforts by the Greens and others to tear it down.
- Phillip Coorey
NSW enters critical minerals race with $250m scheme
The NSW government is boosting critical mineral explorers with up to $250 million in deferred royalty payments as part of its new strategy.
- Elouise Fowler
Rio Tinto’s Serbian lithium pain might be Argentina’s gain
After two decades of work to build a lithium and borates mine in Serbia, Rio Tinto has taken its billions elsewhere. Is this the end of Europe’s lithium dream?
- Peter Ker
- Exclusive
- Renewables
Korean takeover battle could be an electoral headache for Labor
The government is closely watching the fight for Korea Zinc because of the company’s extensive renewables and hydrogen assets in Australia.
- Ronald Mizen
September
‘NATO of critical minerals’ deal to hit China dominance
Local mining and processing projects could be funded by more than a dozen like-minded nations as part of a new joint financing body agreed to by 14 countries.
- Phillip Coorey