May
Next Rio Tinto chief urged to extend push to ‘challenging’ frontiers
Rio Tinto is facing a hostile government in Mongolia and a military junta in Guinea, but this vocal shareholder wants the frontier push to continue.
Australia ready to play dirty against China’s rare earths manipulation
We usually fly the flag for free trade, but the critical minerals reserve suggests the Albanese government is prepared to manipulate as well.
King reveals details of critical minerals stockpile, vows it will pay
Australian miners will not be compelled to sell critical minerals into the federal government’s stockpile, though the resources minister believes it will generate revenue for the country.
The energy transition will fail without more mines
Our scorecard for the government must include whether initiatives ensure more critical minerals projects come online, faster, and without cutting corners.
Iluka CEO backs efforts to loosen China’s rare earths stranglehold
Tom O’Leary says Western governments had acknowledged ‘China’s monopoly’ by acting to secure their own sources of critical minerals.
April
Resources minister hits back at Lynas criticism
Madeleine King has hit back at criticism from Lynas chief executive Amanda Lacaze over plans to create a critical minerals stockpile.
Lynas blasts Labor over critical minerals stockpile plan
Lynas CEO Amanda Lacaze has warned Labor’s critical minerals stockpile will be counterproductive and may damage Australia’s only rare earths producer.
Trump moves to ramp up deep-sea mining for critical minerals
The US president signed an executive order to speed up permits for ocean mining to boost the supply of critical resources largely controlled by China.
Trump’s critical minerals tariff probe boosts Aussie miners
Donald Trump could slap tariffs on Chinese rare earths and critical minerals to break Beijing’s dominance on key material for 21st century technology.
March
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.
Spacetech Esper has stars in its eyes after raising from Darwin VC
The $5 million seed round was led by Northern Australia venture capital investor Paspalis Capital and Islamic financial services company Hejaz.
February
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.
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.
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.
Critical minerals deal will give Kyiv postwar ‘security shield’: US
Ukraine’s president says he is ready to do a deal to open mineral resources to US investment, as he vies for Donald Trump’s backing in the war against Russia.
Trump says he wants Ukraine to supply US with rare earths
“We’re putting in hundreds of billions of dollars” into defending Ukraine, the US president said, adding he wants security of supply of rare earths in return.
January
The China commodities super-cycle is over. Will there be another boom?
China’s massive industrialisation and urbanisation drove a huge commodities boom that has run its course, but some executives are hopeful it will be replaced.
Labor boosts backing of Rinehart-backed Arafura to $1b
In its biggest outlay to date, the $15 billion National Reconstruction Fund has agreed to take a $200 million equity stake in the rare earths player.
Julie Bishop hired to advise ASX-listed Greenland explorer
Energy Transition Minerals has become the latest mining client to join the former foreign minister’s consulting stable, which includes Mineral Resources.
Donald Trump jnr goes window-shopping for his dad in Greenland
The gambit comes at a tricky time for Copenhagen, as leaders on the mineral-rich island push harder for full independence from Denmark.