Can the G7 Break China’s Grip on Rare Earths by 2030? 

The G7 has finally put a number on rare earth diversification. Its commitment to cut reliance on any single non-allied supplier below 60% by 2030 is more than another communiqué flourish, but the real test is whether announced projects can be built, commissioned, and operating at scale before the deadline arrives.  The capacity pipeline is promising, but the middle of the supply chain remains the choke …

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‘New oil’: US aims to create $2.5-billion critical minerals stockpile to counter China’s dominance

Resource competition: US Congress moves to challenge China’s critical minerals dominance. A bipartisan group of US lawmakers has introduced legislation to establish a $2.5-billion “Strategic Resilience Reserve” aimed at strengthening domestic supplies of critical minerals and rare earth elements. The move marks the latest effort to reduce US dependence on China for materials essential to defense, clean energy and advanced …

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Nickel Prices Slip on Rumored Indonesia Quota Hike Despite Official Denial

Benchmark nickel prices took a tumble this week on news that top producer Indonesia is preparing to significantly raise its annual mining quotas to 360 million metric tons. The country’s Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources reportedly notified several mining companies that mid-year revisions will raise the total volume of mining quotas, known as RKABs, from the 260 million metric tons authorized …

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