AREEA calls for workplace law modernisation

Australia vies for global critical minerals investment Federal Resources Minister Madeleine King has launched the new Australian Critical Minerals Prospectus as she gears up to hold talks with the US in Washington this week.The prospectus highlights 49 mines and 29 midstream critical minerals processing projects ready for investment across Australia to draw international interest — creating jobs and new supply chains of critical minerals with partner nations.Minister King will represent Australia at the US-led critical minerals dialogue of ministers — hosted by US Secretary of State Marco Rubio — and will take part in an industry forum as part of efforts to secure critical minerals supply chains.The meetings support implementation of the Australia-US critical minerals and rare earths framework signed by Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and US President Donald Trump in Washington last year.Minister King says the meetings will be a chance to discuss Australia’s $1.2b critical minerals strategic reserve and the Federal Government’s wider support for the critical minerals and rare earths sector.“Australia has a responsibility to lead on the supply of critical minerals and rare earths globally,” she said.“Australia has the deposits and the know-how to develop critical minerals projects reliably, sustainably and at scale.”Critical minerals and rare earths projects are located in every corner of Australia and are vital for the production of clean energy, as well as for the defence industry.Last month, the Federal Government announced the critical minerals strategic reserve would initially focus on gallium, antimony and rare earths elements, which are crucial for clean-energy and high-technology manufacturing as well as advanced military equipment.Federal Trade and Tourism Minister Don Farrel says the new prospectus showcases midstream processing opportunities to international investors, attracting the investment needed to build a future made in Australia and create more high paying, secure jobs for Australians“Australia’s abundant deposits of critical minerals, alongside the expertise to extract and process those minerals, presents an invaluable economic opportunity that the Government stands ready to seize,” he said.Earlier this week, the US also unveiled a $17.2b strategic critical minerals stockpile, dubbed “Project Vault”, with aims of reducing industry reliance on China and protect manufacturers from supply disruptions.Given its dominant role in global manufacturing and processing, China is positioned to influence global industries regardless of where the raw minerals or metals were originally mined.Against a backdrop of shifting domestic policy and rising geopolitical tensions, the US-led critical minerals dialogue of ministers — which is expected to commence today — could foster international framework partnerships that have the potential to reshape both regional and global economies.

Rare earth spat simmers as China targets Japan’s military Ties between China and Japan have further deteriorated this month after Beijing imposed export bans on dual-use items headed for Tokyo.Dual-use items are goods, software or technologies that have applications across both civilian and military industries — most notably, including rare earth magnets that power motors in cars and play a major role in EVs.Japan Foreign Affairs Vice Minister Funakoshi Takehiro strongly protested the measures in a meeting with Chinese Ambassador to Japan Wu Jianghao, demanding their withdrawal.The restrictions came after Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi said, in November, that an attack on Taiwan from China could trigger a Japanese military response.Prime Minister Takaichi then proceeded to approve a record spending package for the fiscal year that included a 3.8% increase in the country's annual military budget to ¥9t ($85b).China’s commerce ministry claimed the export ban would only affect military firms. However, having civilian and military applications is what gives an item dual-use status and, despite Beijing’s confidence, the repercussions throughout Japan’s industries are yet to be determined.This is not the first time China has manipulated critical raw mineral exports to Japan.In 2010, China reportedly blocked exports to Japan after an incident in the East China Sea. Whether or not shipments were actually blocked was not determined.Though the threat may have been nothing more than political posturing, Japan was incentivised to secure supply chains and, alongside stockpiling and recycling efforts, invested heavily into rare earth project outside of China to reduce its dependence on Chinese rare earths.Continuing to spearhead this shift, a mining ship departed Japanese shores this week to investigate rare earth rich mud on a world first journey to attempt to continuously lift rare-earth seabed material from 6km deep onto a ship.Due to its proximal location to Asian markets, Australian rare earth producers have been an attractive investment opportunity for countries, like Japan, working to diversify supply chains.Victory Metals chief executive Brendan Clark says rare earths are not merely commodities, they are strategic enablers.“Rare earths have become a frontline supply-chain issue, and governments are racing to address over-reliance on China, both for supply of materials and for processing,” he said.“China’s expanding use of export controls is heightening concern and we expect increasing interest in Australian rare earth offerings as a strategic hedge.”Despite the global shift for alternate supply sources, China’s dominance is bolstered significantly by its processing capability — an area the rest of the world is severely lacking.According to the Japan Organisation for Metals and Energy Security, China leads the world in reserves and production of these minerals, controlling more than 90% of global refining capacity.“Chinese authorities will fiercely protect the processing knowhow held by their local experts, making it more important than ever to invest in expertise in jurisdictions such as Australia,” Mr Clark said.Rare earth processing outside of China is rapidly expanding, led by Lynas Rare Earths’ (ASX: LYC) facilities in Australia, Malaysia and the US as well as Iluka Resources (ASX: ILU) Eneabba refinery in WA.Victory Metals (ASX: VTM) is also leading the development of onshore processing capability for several rare earth elements currently under Chinese export restriction at its North Stanmore project in WA — making it one of the few western aligned sources of these defence critical materials.“The real value lies in processing capacity and industrial capability outside China, and Victory Metals is well-positioned to take advantage of this,” Mr Clark said.China’s recent moves are a fresh reminder to both governments and manufacturers that critical mineral supply chains can be leveraged for strategic advantage.

The Queensland Government has opened expressions of interest (EOI) for its Mount Isa transformation study to assess future pathways for Queensland’s north-west region.The study will examine long-term industrial capability, market conditions and broader opportunities for workers, communities and regional economies across the full copper value chain throughout the north-west minerals province (NWMP) and the associated smelter and refinery.Completion of the study is a key milestone under the joint government support package for the Mount Isa copper smelter and Townsville copper refinery which provides capital investment into Glencore’s copper processing facilities.Importantly, local working families, businesses, councils and community members will have opportunities to provide input during the process.Federal Industry, Innovation and Science Minister Tim Ayres says the study is about securing a strong, long-term future for the Mount Isa region by taking a clear, end-to-end look at the region’s copper value chain and industrial capability.“My simple message to Mount Isa is — we’ve got your back,” he said.“By assessing the full copper value chain across the region, from the smelter and refinery through to supply chains and emerging opportunities, this work will help inform sound government and industry decisions beyond the current support period.“The Government will always stand up for Australian workers and manufacturing, and will ensure Mount Isa workers, businesses, councils and community members have a genuine say.”The region’s copper industry outlook has been uncertain after Glencore closed the doors at its Mount Isa mines last year.However, the region is ushering in a new generation of developments — including the $2.4b Eva copper project located 95km northeast of Mount Isa — and the Queensland and Federal Governments, alongside Glencore, continue to and the state’s north-west.Queensland Natural Resources and Mines Minister Dale Last says this study is about standing with North and North-West Queensland for the long haul, delivering certainty to the hard-working Queenslanders who keep the copper industry moving.“We’re securing a future for thousands of jobs that rely on the smelter, refinery and Phosphate Hill,” he said.“We’re charting a long-term path that protects jobs and keeps Queensland at the forefront of copper and critical minerals processing."At the heart of this work are the boiler makers, diesel fitters, technicians and small businesses who rely on a strong copper processing sector.“This is an injection of confidence in the region, part of delivering a better lifestyle through a stronger economy, from the copper smelter in Mount Isa, the fertiliser plant at Phosphate Hill, to the emerging projects across the NWMP and the port workers in Townsville."

Hancock Prospecting (HPPL) will have to pay royalties from Hope Downs to one of its biggest rivals after the WA Supreme Court upheld Wright Prospecting’s claim involving legacy deeds signed by Gina Rinehart's father. The decades-long legal battle has culminated in a ruling from Justice Jennifer Smith, who found HPPL is the beneficial owner of the Hope Downs share but upheld Wright Prospecting’s claim to royalties.The proceedings were concerned with formal agreements made decades ago between Lang Hancock, Peter Wright and Don Rhodes. A major consideration was who held the beneficial ownership of the Hope Downs and East Angelas exploration licenses when they were acquired in 1988 and 1989, and who now holds the beneficial interest in the 50% share of the Hope Downs mining lease. Following the ruling, Hancock Prospecting framed the central issue as ownership of the Hope Downs and East Angelas tenements, rather than “the far less significant issue of royalties”. “HPPL welcomes the WA Supreme Court decision which decisively confirms HPPL’s rightful ownership of these tenements firmly rejecting the baseless ownership claims of John, Bianca and Wright Prospecting Pty Ltd (WPPL) in their entirety,” executive director Jay Newby said in a statement. Hope Downs today generates hundreds of millions of dollars in taxes and royalties for the WA Government. “The remaining Rhodes royalty claim historically attributable to HPPL amounts to approximately $4m per annum for Rhodes and for WPPL approximately $14m per annum,” Mr Newby said. Hancock does not expect to shoulder that burden alone. Mr Newby said any amounts payable in royalties and interest are a shared responsibilities with Rio Tinto (ASX: RIO), its partner in Hope Downs.  “ a further royalty contribution in this regard, which will lessen contribution,” he said.  “We will consult with our partner and consider our position on these matters.” Counsel on both sides will have 21 days to lodge their appeals.