US action in Iran exposes critical minerals weakness

By Samantha Bawden

Friday, 6 March 2026

InternationalNews

Weapons stock depletion may not ultimately decide the outcome of the Iran-US conflict, but it could certainly play a major role.

The MOU supports Metallium’s plan to develop a national network of e-waste processing facilities, strategically located near major e-waste collection hubs, rapidly expanding U.S. data centre industrial parks and regional industrial corridors with strong logistics and waste generation.

Lynas’ new Malaysian challenge

DevelopmentsInternationalNews

Lynas’ new Malaysian challenge

LYNAS Corporation (ASX: LYC) is facing a new wave of judicial proceedings in Malaysia over its subsidiary, Lynas Malaysia’s rare earths processing facility. In a statement released to the ASX after the market had closed on Friday, the company said that three long-term opponents of the plant launched the judicial review proceedings in the Malaysian High Court, and would contest the August 2019 decision to renew Lynas’ full operating licence at the processing plant near Kuantan, Pahang, on the country’s east coast. The company said that the grounds set out in the documents “relate to the processes followed by the Government of Malaysia”. The respondents included the Prime Minister of Malaysia, 27 ministers and cabinet members, the Government of Malaysia,...

Hancock Prospecting re-enters Saudi Arabia

InternationalNews

Hancock Prospecting re-enters Saudi Arabia

Hancock Prospecting has become the first Australian company to enter a joint venture (JV) with Saudi Arabia’s largest miner, Maaden.

Vulcan makes zero carbon transportation possible

InternationalNewsSponsored Post

Vulcan makes zero carbon transportation possible

Vulcan makes zero carbon transportation possible By Meagan Evans A global shift in capital allocations is underway. Trillions of dollars are flowing into sustainable or green investments, as the, ‘environmental, social and governance’ (ESG) sector shakes off its image as simply a feel-good investment class. New evidence demonstrates that profitability and environmental footprint are not mutually exclusive — but that ESG performance does in fact correlate with good financial results. Corporate boards are cleaning up their operations and supply chains to be carbon neutral and environmentally friendly, while global fund managers are allocating to climate and eco-friendly companies, and increasingly refusing to back coal and fossil fuels. In fact, the world’s largest fund manager, BlackRock — which manages nearly US$7...

Rio looks to a ‘deeper world’

CommoditiesDevelopmentsInternationalMergers & AcquisitionsNews

Rio looks to a ‘deeper world’

RIO Tinto (ASX: RIO) chief executive J-S Jacques waxed philosophical to investors in London on Monday speaking of his vision of the company’s future. He spoke about the ‘deeper world’ awaiting the mining industry in the 2020s, and the importance of recognising the finite nature of the resources being mined. As Rio Tinto moves into the next decade, the shift from excess to discipline will be emphasised. Mr Jacques said that as the world becomes faster, so it becomes deeper too – meaning AI and big data present an opportunity to transform mining majors’ business models toward circular economies. “The world will not wait for us,” he said. “The time for change is now.” China’s insatiable appetite for resources in...

Canada and Australia deepen critical minerals ties

NewsPolitics & Regulation

Canada and Australia deepen critical minerals ties

Australia and Canada have signed a series of agreements regarding critical minerals, one of which grants Australia membership to the G7 minerals alliance.

Hundreds of jobs on the line as AGL retires coal-fired power

Hundreds of jobs on the line as AGL retires coal-fired power

Hundreds of jobs on the line as AGL retires coal-fired power AGL Energy (ASX: AGL), one of Australia’s largest energy providers, will cut hundreds of jobs as it retires ageing coal-fired power stations and replaces them with renewable assets. The Mining and Energy Union (MEU) representatives were informed that 300 jobs, including management and operational roles, would be cut across AGL’s business in meetings held at AGL’s Bayswater and Loy Yang A power stations in NSW this week. MEU general secretary Grahame Kelly says the news is devastating for workers. “Coal-fired power station workers around the country are already facing stress and uncertainty with moving timelines for...

Federal Government report a climate change ‘wake-up call’

Federal Government report a climate change ‘wake-up call’

Federal Government report a climate change ‘wake-up call’ This week, the Federal Government released its first National Climate Risk Assessment (NCRA), which will be used to develop Australia’s 2035 emissions reduction target — expected this week. Australia’s first independent NCRA, created by the Australian Climate Service, compiles data and analysis from world-leading experts and scientists from the Bureau of Meteorology, CSIRO, the Australian Bureau of Statistics and Geoscience Australia. Alongside the comprehensive assessment, the Federal Government released a National Adaptation Plan (NAP) — a vision for a...

BHP supports athletes beyond sport

BHP supports athletes beyond sport

BHP supports athletes beyond sport BHP Mitsubishi Alliance (BMA), a BHP (ASX: BHP) and Mitsubishi Development joint venture, has partnered with the Queensland Academy of Sport (QAS) to support athletes in life beyond competition. The Dream Twice athlete employment initiative, QAS’s flagship program, helps athletes transition into industry careers, while still competing or after retirement. This partnership with BMA will now open doors for athletes to enter the resource sector and support Australia’s world-class mining industry. BMA asset president Adam Lancey says the collaboration reflects the company’s commitment to...