Critical minerals
Analysis
Federal budget
Australia’s $22.7 billion bet on the $US1.4 trillion fight with China
A Future Made in Australia is really about a global battle, led by the United States, against a rising China and a destabilising Russia.
- by Shane Wright
Latest
Resources tax breaks opens rift between WA and federal Liberals
Shadow treasurer Angus Taylor lashed $14 billion worth of incentives for green hydrogen and critical minerals companies, claiming it amounted to “handing out billions to billionaires”.
- by Hamish Hastie
Made in Australia: The $22.7 billion punt to rival China’s dominance
The government is betting big on green technologies and industry to grow local manufacturing.
- by Mike Foley
Opinion
Rare earths
In the rare earths Game of Thrones, Gina Rinehart grabs the crown
The federal government declared “the road to net zero runs through Australia’s resources sector”, and Rinehart will be hoping for a decent spoonful from the profit pot at the end of that road.
- by Elizabeth Knight
Rio Tinto says global economy resilient, inflation easing despite patchy China
Shipments of its key commodity iron ore fell over the past three months as bad weather disrupted Rio’s ports, the mining giant said.
- by Simon Johanson
Australian mining ‘under assault’ from China, US ambassador says
America’s national security and the health of the planet depended on commodities managed by Australia, Caroline Kennedy told Paydirt Battery Minerals Conference in Perth.
- by Marion Rae
Opinion
Trade
‘New Competition’? It’s protectionism with an industry policy veneer
Australia is about to join the protectionist wave sweeping through major economies with its “Future Made in Australia” scheme. History suggests we shouldn’t.
- by Stephen Bartholomeusz
Warning made-in-Australia ‘manufacturing fetishism’ will make Australia poorer
While companies welcomed the budget boost promised to keep green tech in Australia, economist Saul Eslake says it will weaken the economy.
- by Mike Foley and Shane Wright
Syrah riding the wave of global critical minerals race
Australia’s only integrated producer and refiner of natural graphite says it will avoid the meltdown roiling the nickel and lithium sector.
- by Simon Johanson
Short sellers bet against green minerals boom as prices plunge
Half of the 10 most shorted stocks on the ASX are involved in battery minerals or electrification as investors become increasingly bearish on the sector.
- by Millie Muroi
Nickel miners explore for taxpayer dime to ease industry pain
WA’s troubled nickel sector is pleading for government help to withstand a price slump caused by booming production from Indonesia.
- by Peter Milne