January 12, 2026

Gecamines to buy 100,000t of copper from Tenke Fungurume mine

The purchase represents 20% of TFM’s output, in line with Gecamines’ 20% shareholding.

January 12, 2026

Japan launches world’s first deep-sea rare earth mining test

Tokyo has begun a seabed mining trial near Minamitori Island as it seeks to cut reliance on Chinese rare earth supplies.

January 12, 2026

Australia fast-tracks critical minerals stockpile

Canberra will build a strategic minerals reserve using domestic supply to shore up defence, tech manufacturing and allied supply chains.

January 11, 2026

Japan sets sail on rare earth hunt as China tightens supplies

The month-long mission of the test vessel Chikyu near Minamitori Island will mark the world's first attempt to continuously lift rare-earth seabed sludge.

January 11, 2026

Australia’s VHM scraps offtake deal with Shenghe Resources

The Goschen project is VHM's flagship development, focused on extracting critical minerals such as rare earth elements and titanium.

January 11, 2026

US to push for quicker action in reducing reliance on China for rare earths

Aside from Japan, G7 members remain heavily dependent on critical minerals from China, which has threatened to impose strict export controls.

January 9, 2026

Japan seeks support as fears rise over China’s rare earth grip

The impact of China’s latest move is still unclear, but existing export controls have already lengthened the time required to procure rare earth magnets.

January 9, 2026

Chinese demand for copper vanishes after prices hit record

A Mysteel Global survey showed that about 60% of the firms making copper rod for electricity transmission cut or shut production over the month.

January 8, 2026

Navarro sees US ending Chinese dominance of critical minerals

American innovation would “quickly wipe away” China’s “weaponization,” Trump’s White House trade adviser predicted.

January 8, 2026

China-Japan rare earth spat curbs exports

Analysts said the economic fallout for Japan could be severe.