critical minerals

Amara KAMARA, President of the Liberia Chamber of Mines, has called for urgent legal and regulatory reforms in Liberia's mining sector. He warned that delays in modernizing laws and fragmented institutional coordination could hinder the country's ability to attract long-term investment amid rising global demand for critical minerals.

Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney and Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. pledged to strengthen trade, energy, and security ties as Canada seeks to diversify its economy beyond the United States. The two leaders announced plans for a Canada-Philippines free trade agreement and deeper Indo-Pacific defense cooperation, supported by the Filipino-Canadian community.

PM Modi held summit talks with Japanese PM Takaichi. The discussion focused on enhancing cooperation in critical minerals and pharmaceuticals.

The UK may struggle to build missiles and anti-drone technology due to China's dominance over critical minerals, according to warnings from the Conservative Party. The Tories highlight this dependency as a potential security risk.

Trump made a billion-dollar mining deal. His sons could profit from this deal. The families are involved in an ethically complex pursuit of profits in the critical minerals arms race.

China has released its 15th five-year plan for a new-type energy system, aiming for 30% clean energy in power generation by 2030, with wind and solar as the mainstay. The Group of Seven (G7) has urged diversification of rare earth supply chains to reduce reliance on China, prompting responses about strengthening domestic critical mineral strategies. China also emphasized climate governance and green development in its approved five-year plans.

The article highlights that the United States requires Canada's involvement to succeed in the critical minerals race, emphasizing that America's strategy for these minerals relies on Canada.

Femi Pedro has assumed his role as Nigeria's envoy to Australia. He emphasized expanding cooperation in critical minerals, agricultural innovation, education, and fintech between the two countries.

Zambians are set to vote in August with jobs and rising living costs as primary concerns. The election outcome could influence global competition for critical minerals and reshape Zambia's relationships with China and the US.

China banned exports of dual-use goods to ten American firms, including USA Rare Earth, which recently acquired Brazil’s Serra Verde rare earth mine, the only such mine producing at scale outside Asia.

A US strike on an oil tanker in the Gulf of Oman has strained US-India relations and raised doubts about the unity of the Quad (US, Japan, Australia, India) in challenging China's dominance over critical minerals. Despite tensions, the group's agenda remains a focal point.

Japan's proposal to G7 leaders, led by Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi, to coordinate stockpiling critical minerals risks escalating regional tensions in East Asia. The article criticizes consecutive Japanese leaders for lacking vision in promoting regional peace and economic integration.

Kenya's President William Ruto announced the country is nearing a critical minerals deal with the US during the G7 summit, emphasizing local processing of minerals like copper, graphite, lithium, and nickel. The agreement aligns with Washington's goal to counter China's dominance in mineral supply chains, though Ruto's Western ties have sparked domestic criticism, including over a US Ebola quarantine facility.

The article discusses the decline of multilateralism and the rise of plurilateralism, where coalitions of the willing are driving progress on climate change, AI, and critical minerals. These groups are fostering a 'race to the top' in these key global challenges.

Angola's Lobito railway has received its first copper shipment from Congo since floods disrupted the line, reviving the West's primary route for African critical minerals. The reopening marks a recovery of the mineral transportation corridor after previous closures.

Vietnam and the United States have strengthened cooperation on semiconductors, critical minerals, and Indo-Pacific security, but Vietnam's trade surplus with Washington is creating economic tensions. The partnership's future depends on whether Vietnam can address these economic challenges while maintaining strategic alignment.

Australian mining billionaire Gina Rinehart's Hancock Prospecting invested over $1 billion in SpaceX's IPO, with potential future collaborations in critical minerals. The investment aligns with Rinehart's existing stakes in rare-earth producers Lynas Rare Earths and MP Materials.

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi and Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni agreed to enhance cooperation in advanced technologies like semiconductors and secure critical mineral supply chains to strengthen economic and defense ties. They also acknowledged a preliminary U.S.-Iran agreement aimed at ending their conflict, which disrupted global oil supplies.

G7 leaders meet in France following a preliminary U.S.-Iran agreement to end their war. The summit will address Iran's next steps, the Ukraine war, global economic imbalances, and sourcing critical minerals outside China.

NLC has been selected as the preferred bidder for a critical mineral block in Telangana. The company recently signed an MoU with CSIR-Central Electrochemical Research Institute (CSIR-CECRI) to collaborate on critical and strategic minerals beneficiation and extraction technologies.

Silicon Valley executives and venture capitalists warn the U.S. defense supply chain is unprepared for modern warfare, citing vulnerabilities in critical minerals, drone manufacturing, and ammunition infrastructure. They emphasize the need for public-private partnerships and modernization to counter China's dominance in rare earth elements and robotics.

US mining executives Paul Andre Huet and Gary Evans highlighted the depletion of critical military minerals due to the war with Iran and increased demand from tech IPOs, despite recent declines in metal prices. Huet emphasized silver's role in the 'new power revolution' for artificial intelligence.

The global scramble for critical minerals is driving resource extraction conflicts in regions like Colombia and the Democratic Republic of Congo, disproportionately harming indigenous communities and environmental human rights defenders. These defenders, often targeted with violence or forced displacement, advocate for community rights and environmental justice but face high risks, with 146 killed or disappeared in 2024 alone.

KABIL has acquired five critical mineral blocks in Argentina. The country currently relies on imports for nearly 93% of its critical mineral needs, posing supply risks to key industries.

India's strategic resource frontier in the northeast must balance critical mineral ambitions with the region's people, land, and history.

The Quad's US$20 billion critical minerals framework aims to reduce China's dominance in materials essential for defense, technology, and clean energy. Analysts caution that past failures and the need for tangible progress, rather than policy declarations, will determine its success.

India and the US signed a framework agreement to secure critical minerals and rare earths, aiming to position India as an alternative to China. However, analysts suggest India's dominance in the sector is unlikely to challenge China's control soon.

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi met with Venezuela's acting President Delcy Rodriguez to discuss expanding energy cooperation and investments in sectors like mining and pharmaceuticals. Venezuela has become India's third-largest crude oil supplier, as India seeks to diversify its energy sources amid global supply disruptions.

A Chinese archaeologist, Liu Bin, who discovered a 5000-year-old city, pleaded guilty to corruption. The article also highlights a chip prodigy returning to China and the use of coal waste for critical minerals as key science developments.

China's increased demand for US tungsten has driven up prices and led to calls for restricting sales of the mineral to overseas buyers. The situation highlights tungsten's role as a critical resource for national security.

The C5+1 dialogue on critical minerals will take place on the sidelines of the Astana Mining & Metallurgy Congress. The event aims to deepen cooperation on critical minerals.

India is increasing stake sales due to financial strains from the Iran War. Brazil and India are enhancing cooperation on critical minerals and artificial intelligence, positioning themselves as leading voices for the developing world amid a fragile global order.

Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney called for a new US-Canada partnership in sectors like aluminium, cars, and critical minerals, stating the world is undergoing a 'rupture' as the US reshapes its commercial relationships. He emphasized collaboration to strengthen both nations, though the article cuts off after mentioning his January meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping.

Germany's bid to build Canada's next-generation submarines promises up to 50,000 jobs over five years and an $86-billion boost to Canada's GDP. The proposal includes investments in shipbuilding, critical minerals, missiles, ports, and energy infrastructure, linking Arctic defense to NATO integration.

India and the United States have signed an agreement to strengthen cooperation on critical minerals, aiming to diversify the U.S. supply chain for rare earth elements. The deal aligns with broader U.S. efforts to reduce reliance on China for strategic resources.

The Xi-Trump summit in Beijing marked a shift from tense relations to potential reconciliation, with discussions spanning trade, investment, and critical minerals. The meeting followed a weakened U.S. bargaining position due to domestic and international developments.

South Africa is advocating for a 15-year extension of the US African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA), emphasizing its role as a major supplier of critical minerals like platinum, manganese, and chromium. The country argues short extensions harm investor confidence and manufacturing plans, while also seeking updated eligibility criteria to address inequality. AGOA, which provides duty-free US market access, was recently retroactively extended until year-end.

Queensland police shot and killed a man allegedly armed with a firearm in Narangba, which will be investigated. The article also discusses former Australian rugby player Matt Pocock's advocacy for fair returns on gas exports and investments in 'industries of the future' like critical minerals and AI datacenters.

Perpetua Resources has secured a $2.9 billion loan from the U.S. Export-Import Bank to finance its Idaho gold and antimony mining project. The financing reflects the U.S. government's strategic effort to secure access to critical minerals domestically.

Recycling startups are leveraging AI technology to improve the recovery of critical minerals, particularly aluminum, which has seen a 20% price increase. These companies aim to establish aluminum recycling as a massive source of the metal by using artificial intelligence to enhance extraction efficiency.