Australia punts on pushing China out of rare‑earths projects
Australia is taking significant steps to enhance its critical minerals capabilities while managing its relationship with China and the US. The government has ordered Chinese-linked investors to divest from Northern Minerals, a key player in rare-earths mining, while also advancing its own mining projects. This shift reflects a broader strategy to secure supply chains and reduce reliance on Chinese investments in critical minerals.
- ▪Treasurer Jim Chalmers ordered six Chinese-linked investors to sell their shares in Northern Minerals by July 2.
- ▪Arafura Rare Earths announced its Nolans mine project will proceed after the government committed to purchasing 500 tonnes of rare earths.
- ▪The Northern Minerals Browns Range project is strategically important for its heavy rare earths, essential for electric vehicles and defense applications.
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It’s been a significant month for Australia’s ambitions to become a critical-minerals superpower, while balancing its relations with China and the United States. On May 18, Treasurer Jim Chalmers announced he had ordered six investors with links to China to sell off shares in Northern Minerals, an Australian rare-earths company developing the Browns Range project in Western Australia. Then, on May 21, mining company Arafura Rare Earths announced its planned Nolans rare earths mine in the Northern Territory would go ahead. This was after the federal government committed to purchasing 500 tonnes of rare earths from the project for Australia’s Critical Minerals Strategic Reserve. Both moves matter.
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