This Month
‘We’re going to miss the boat’: departing BHP chair’s warning for Australia
Ken MacKenzie leaves with the miner in a state of relatively rare stability. But he fears Australia is failing to seize its next big opportunity.
March
Trafigura puts Australian metal processing operations under review
In an interview, the trading house’s chief executive, Richard Holtum, said “uncompetitive” assets should be at least part owned by the government.
Junior miners fearful after Chalmers ends tax break
The Treasurer did not extend tax perks for mineral exploration that have existed for the past seven years.
Australia should look to uranium as a chance to dodge Trump’s tariffs
Developing processing of the nuclear fuel with American firms would address US national security concerns and also attract significant interest from Japan, Korea and Taiwan.
Australia’s lithium dream is fading. Can tax breaks revive it?
The prime minister believes he can revive hopes of turning Australia into a minerals processing powerhouse. Is this anything other than wishful thinking?
Inside Duncan Saville’s billion-dollar Bermuda Triangle
A decade after the ATO hit the reclusive Australian investor with a $189 million tax bill and savaged his character, Canberra is rolling out the red carpet.
Reality bites critical-minerals hopes
Australia’s ambition of processing critical minerals is still mostly a dream, and one that won’t persuade Donald Trump to withhold tariffs on our exports.
This Perth entrepreneur is surfing the Trump wave
Barely two years ago Tony Sage hit a low, losing control of Perth Glory soccer club. Now, thanks to Trump, he’s facing an open goal in Greenland and Ukraine.
Ellison-run garnet mine faces punishment over unsanctioned development
The Lucky Bay operations are already behind schedule, with WA officials finding six evaporation ponds were built without permission from authorities.
Quinbrook plots $3.5b investment in giant batteries
Managing partner David Scaysbrook says cutting the cost of round-the-clock renewable power was key to Australia delivering on its “green superpower” ambition.
Questions for Virgin investors in Qatar deal
Readers’ letters on what the tie-up means for future shareholders, the ANZUS pact, Ukraine’s critical minerals, Donald Trump pausing military aid, sustainable investment, and Clive Palmer’s election ads
Shareholders sue to stop ‘rushed’ bankruptcy of cobalt miner Jervois
Two small shareholders are suing collapsed cobalt miner Jervois Global in a Texas court to halt a winding up that will erase hundreds of millions of dollars of investor capital.
February
Zelensky to meet Trump on ‘very big’ minerals deal
Ukraine’s president said he needed to speak with Donald Trump about the details, while Donald Trump said the US would not give Ukraine guarantees “beyond very much”.
Lynas profit collapses as China keeps lid on rare earths prices
The development comes despite efforts by Western governments to broaden the global supply of critical minerals.
US says revenue from minerals deal will fuel Ukraine’s postwar growth
Scott Bessent says the country’s revenue from “natural resources, infrastructure and other assets” would be “allocated to a fund focused on the long-term reconstruction”.
Andrew Forrest takes control of rare earths mine, magnet maker
While his flagship company Fortescue retreats from hydrogen, Andrew Forrest’s private company has taken control of some rare earths mining and processing assets.
Australia still betting on rare earths
The Albanese government hoped for a new resources boom in new critical minerals projects and processing. There’s been a hard reckoning since, but the dream still lives for Iluka Resources and others.
Ukraine rejects audacious Trump demand for half its mineral wealth
The Ukrainian president has rejected the US bid and is trying to negotiate a better deal that includes security guarantees against Russia.
Board drama as Global Lithium succumbs to ‘Chinese’ takeover
New leadership denies claims of covert foreign influence over the WA-based critical minerals group.
BP’s Kwinana pause shows WA risks being left behind in renewables race
We should be leading the energy transition, but instead we’re stalled by slow approvals, political gridlock and a lack of urgency.