Chinese investors attempt covert takeover of Australian mining company

Chinese investors attempt covert takeover of Australian mining company

A long-standing struggle between Northern Minerals and Chinese investors reveals the global battle over rare-earth minerals as countries seek to reduce reliance on China.

Michael E. Miller reports for The Washington Post.


In short:

  • Northern Minerals, an Australian mining company, discovered possible proxy purchases by Chinese investor Wu Tao, who had been blocked from increasing his stake due to national security concerns.
  • The Australian government ordered Wu Tao’s company and four others to sell their shares, but the companies have not yet complied with the divestment order.
  • The case highlights the broader effort by Western countries to secure rare-earth supplies independent of China's dominance.

Key quote:

“When in the history of the global economy has a monopolist willingly given up their position in the market?”

— Amanda Lacaze, CEO of Lynas

Why this matters:

Control over rare-earth minerals is critical as these materials are essential for green technology and defense. China’s dominance in this sector poses significant risks for global supply chains.

Related: Ruth Greenspan Bell: Wealth and the climate dilemma

Oil refinery with smoke billowing from smokestacks.

Exxon must pay $14.25 million over Baytown air pollution as Supreme Court declines appeal

The U.S. Supreme Court let stand a $14.25 million penalty against ExxonMobil for more than 16,000 Clean Air Act violations at its Baytown, Texas, petrochemical plant.

Kyle McClenagan reports for Houston Public Media.

Keep reading...Show less
Coal power plant with smoke rising from towers.
Credit: catazul/Pixabay

EPA moves to delay coal plant water pollution rules, raising health concerns

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has announced plans to delay and potentially weaken water pollution standards for coal-fired power plants, citing energy grid demands and economic pressures.

Rachel Frazin reports for The Hill.

Keep reading...Show less
Scientist using pipette to place liquid into containers.

EPA staff accuse Trump administration of sidelining science

More than 270 U.S. Environmental Protection Agency employees have accused the Trump administration of pushing a political agenda that undermines science and endangers public health.

Maxine Joselow reports for The New York Times.

Keep reading...Show less
Group of fishermen in Sri Lanka looking at fish caught earlier that day.

Trump’s USAID cuts could lead to millions of preventable global deaths, study warns

A new analysis projects that dismantling most of USAID’s global health programs could result in 14 million additional deaths by 2030, including millions of children under five.

Kelsey Ables reports for The Washington Post.

Keep reading...Show less
Two people in hard hats looking out over a building construction site.

Newsom and lawmakers weaken key California environmental law to speed housing and infrastructure builds

California lawmakers passed a budget deal that rolls back parts of the state’s signature environmental law to fast-track construction projects including housing, water infrastructure, and EV and semiconductor plants.

Camille von Kaenel reports for POLITICO.

Keep reading...Show less
Three smiling women flash the peace sign while pausing on a bicycle ride.

How a global network of grassroots leaders is getting cities to ride more bikes

A worldwide “Bicycle Mayor” movement is helping cities ditch cars by empowering local cycling champions to push for change from the street up.

Kaja Šeruga reports for Reasons To Be Cheerful.

Keep reading...Show less
A drop of water falling into a bucket of water.

Texas court rules oil companies own fracking wastewater, not landowners

A recent Texas Supreme Court ruling gives oil companies full ownership of produced water from drilling operations, a move that may shape future control over wastewater re-use and mineral extraction.

Martha Pskowski reports for Inside Climate News.

Keep reading...Show less
From our Newsroom
Multiple Houston-area oil and gas facilities that have violated pollution laws are seeking permit renewals

Multiple Houston-area oil and gas facilities that have violated pollution laws are seeking permit renewals

One facility has emitted cancer-causing chemicals into waterways at levels up to 520% higher than legal limits.

Regulators are underestimating health impacts from air pollution: Study

Regulators are underestimating health impacts from air pollution: Study

"The reality is, we are not exposed to one chemical at a time.”

Pennsylvania governor Josh Shapiro speaks with the state flag and American flag behind him.

Two years into his term, has Gov. Shapiro kept his promises to regulate Pennsylvania’s fracking industry?

A new report assesses the administration’s progress and makes new recommendations

silhouette of people holding hands by a lake at sunset

An open letter from EPA staff to the American public

“We cannot stand by and allow this to happen. We need to hold this administration accountable.”

wildfire retardants being sprayed by plane

New evidence links heavy metal pollution with wildfire retardants

“The chemical black box” that blankets wildfire-impacted areas is increasingly under scrutiny.

Stay informed: sign up for The Daily Climate newsletter
Top news on climate impacts, solutions, politics, drivers. Delivered to your inbox week days.