Australia aims to boost critical minerals processing to hedge against China’s dominance

Resources minister warns concentration of the market that includes rare earths in China poses a strategic challenge

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Australia needs to develop processing capabilities that would hedge against China’s dominant position over minerals crucial to clean energy and defence technologies, the resources minister, Madeleine King, said on Thursday.

Speaking to a Darwin audience that included key allies and trading partners, King said the concentration of the critical minerals market in China posed a strategic challenge to Australia.

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