(Feb 4): Australia is weighing a price floor for critical minerals, including rare earths, to help its producers counter China’s dominance and draw foreign investment to build new mines and processing projects. China has a near-monopoly over processed critical minerals and has previously used supply as leverage during trade disputes. Like the US, Australia is planning to build its own critical minerals stockpiles, albeit smaller at A$1.2 billion (US$843 million or RM3.31 billion). Shares of Sydney-listed critical minerals companies rallied on Wednesday. Lynas Rare Earths Ltd soared as much as 6.9%, Iluka Resources Ltd advanced 5.2%, Arafura Rare Earths Ltd climbed 6.3% and Sunrise Energy Metals Ltd jumped 10% during morning trade.

Source: The Edge Markets February 04, 2026 04:31 UTC