Yesterday
Ban short-selling in the ‘national interest’, Chalice boss pleads
Hedge funds targeting pre-revenue companies holds back Australia’s objectives in critical minerals, according to aspirant Chalice.
- Updated
- Peter Ker
This Month
Lithium heavyweights on cusp of sealing Azure partnership
The battle for control of lithium explorer Azure Minerals is expected to become clearer this week as major investors get close to a cooperation pact.
- Peter Ker
Allkem lithium merger splits pension funds
An $11 billion merger of Livent and Allkem is on track to secure the requisite shareholder support on Tuesday even though AustralianSuper is expected to oppose.
- Peter Ker and Joanne Tran
Struggling nickel sector ‘disappointed’ by critical minerals snub
Nickel bosses are dismayed at being left off the Albanese government’s critical minerals list when low prices have imperilled hundreds of jobs.
- Peter Ker and Brad Thompson
BHP issues dire warning on nickel mines
The Albanese government is overhauling its critical minerals strategy but the teetering nickel sector remains on the outer, with BHP and Forrest-owned mines at risk.
- Brad Thompson and Peter Ker
Blowouts hit taxpayer-backed rare earths refinery
Taxpayers may have to lend more than the $1.25b already pledged towards the WA refinery that aims to break China’s stranglehold on the supply of rare earths
- Peter Ker
The Australian Financial Review names its Business Person of the Year
Gina Rinehart has capped an extraordinary year of deal-making across the mining, energy, agribusiness and retail sectors by taking out the top honour.
- James Thomson
Eyes on Forrest, IGO as nickel’s nightmare year claims Panoramic
A surfeit of Indonesian nickel and weather disruptions have forced a former takeover target into administration. Will a fire sale lure IGO or Andrew Forrest?
- Peter Ker and Brad Thompson
- Updated
- Copper
Sacked CEO sues SolGold after boardroom stoush
BHP and Newmont’s struggling Ecuadorian copper play has hit more trouble, with former CEO Darryl Cuzzubbo filing a multimillion-dollar breach of contract claim.
- Updated
- Peter Ker
Jervois Global finds itself favoured by governments, not markets
The ASX-listed battery minerals play is at the centre of a taxpayer-funded bidding war. But a pessimistic outlook for cobalt is keeping investors away.
- Peter Ker
Allkem’s Aussie lithium will go to China despite IRA riches
The Mt Cattlin mine in Western Australia could in theory qualify for US subsidies, but its owner will keep shipping to China.
- Peter Ker
- Opinion
- Opinion
US targets China’s involvement in Australian critical minerals
New rules laid out by the Biden administration create competitive hurdles for nervous Australian companies and may lead to restructuring.
- Jennifer Hewett
Chinese ties exclude Australian lithium miners from US cash
Major miners in this country could miss out on US government subsidies because of Chinese investment in this country’s lithium sector.
- Peter Ker
Lithium price fall tests anxious investors as miners face crucial moment
Hopes that lithium could one day supplant iron ore as the bedrock of the Australian economy are being tested by a sharp price crash. But we’ve been here before.
- Peter Ker and Brad Thompson
Allkem-Livent’s $9b lithium merger wins proxy support
The biggest lithium merger of this year has won support from Glass Lewis ahead of a shareholder vote later this month.
- Peter Ker
November
Treat critical mineral investments like venture capital: Debelle
Only a fraction of superannuation funds’ bets in the sector will pay off but those that do will “make massive returns”, former RBA deputy governor says.
- Hannah Wootton
US miner plotting Australian rare earths plant
New York-listed Tronox wants to build a rare earths separation plant in Australia at a time when Western nations are scrambling to break China’s stranglehold.
- Peter Ker
Fire halts production at big Australian lithium mine
One of the world’s biggest hard rock sources is out of action as prices for the battery mineral slump.
- Peter Ker and Brad Thompson
- Exclusive
- Mining
China link to fight for WA rare earths mine
A Singapore group accused of covert attempts to gain control of a WA project has links to conglomerates tasked with maintaining a stranglehold on global supply.
- Brad Thompson
Indonesia looks to Australia to reduce reliance on China in EV race
The two countries have committed to “mutually beneficial co-operation” on battery manufacturing and critical minerals processing.
- Emma Connors
