Ana Panic’s Post

PRC/Peru - Port of Chancay Excerpt as of early 2024: “ Peruvian government maintains that the port is purely economic in nature and that the local population will be compensated for displacement and any environmental damage to the surrounding areas.” “… energy and mining-focused news outlet Energiminas, says that the port will play an important role in helping China to solidify its dominant position in Latin America’s critical minerals supply chains.[iii] “ “Peru also maintains that the port, built by Chinese state-owned enterprise Cosco Shipping, will save an average of 10 to 12 days on goods traveling to Asia from Latin America. “ “…the Peruvian government … confirmed its commitment to the project and stated its goal is to leverage its role as host of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation in 2024 to officially inaugurate the Port of Chancay. “ “China has dozens of contracts to upgrade, build, and/or operate deep-water ports in the Western Hemisphere, an economic reality with implications for the region’s operational environment.” “Given China’s past use of deep-water ports for naval port calls, the Western Hemisphere may soon witness an uptick in the PLAN presence.”

AUSTRALIA FAILS TO REALIGN TRADE AND DIPLOMACY FOR THE NEW REALITY! In financial year 2023, the value of iron ore exported from Australia to China amounted to around 105 billion Australian dollars. China is planning to break its dependency on Australia and Brazil for iron ore. Africa is the key. Sierra Leone may be a small country on Africa's Atlantic coast, but it is part of China's big ambitions to break its dependency on Australia and Brazil for its iron ore. Simandou is the world’s largest untapped high-grade iron ore deposit. The Simfer joint venture’s2 mine concession held an estimated Total Mineral Resource as at 31 December 2022 of 2.8 billion tonnes, of which Rio Tinto has reported the conversion of an estimated 1.5 billion tonnes to Ore Reserves that support a mine life of 26 years, with an average grade of 65.3% iron. This large iron ore mine will be seeking a market which will challenge Australia's existing iron ore dominance with China. China's real estate crisis, with the collapse of giants like Evergrande, threatens domestic and global markets. Australia was once the leading supplier of coal to China, nearly 60 per cent of its total imports in 2019. But by 2022, Australia's market share had dropped to 1.5 per cent, with Russia becoming the top supplier with a 40 per cent share. China had imported 77.51 million tons of Australia coal in 2020, the last full year before the ban went into place. Australian coal exports have been replaced largely with Russian and Indonesian coal. In financial year 2023, the value of metallurgical coal exported from Australia to India amounted to around 15 billion Australian dollars. In the same year, Japan was the leading export destination for Australian thermal coal. In 2022-23, the leading commodities exported to India from Australia were lentils, up 220pc year on year, and cotton, up 199pc. In financial year 2023, the value of metallurgical coal exported from Australia to India amounted to around 15 billion Australian dollars. Conclusion: Australia's Sino Centric trade and foreign relations outlook does not reflect the reality that China is pivoting away from Australia at break neck speed, and is in the midst of an economic crisis. India on the other hand is a market which Australia appears to be ignoring, India is likely to become a strategic trade partner which may be larger than China. Why is Australian outlook still trapped in the K Rudd 1990's era of Sino fascination? Australia needs new markets in Asia. In terms of iron ore, Australia should be approaching the USA and UK to use their nuclear power to turn our ore into steel. High grade steel. Australia should be building a nuclear Reactor near Geraldton in WA to power smelting furnaces. These are two strategic and important trade initiatives which escape our Prime Minister and the Labor Party. https://lnkd.in/gBmreZCE

This is an important step forward in using existing import restriction policies and enforcements like UFLPA to promote both critical mineral supply chain diversification and responsible/ethical global labor standards. #supplychainsecurity #supplychaindiversification #responsiblemineralsourcing

Save the Date: Webinar on Labour Rights in South Africa’s Mining Sector On 11 September (14:00-16:00 CEST), join CNV Internationaal, Profundo, and International Labour Research and Information Group for an insightful webinar introducing the newly published report, "The South African Mining Sector: Labour Rights in Transition Mineral Mining." This study was conducted by experts Diana Quiroz, Manon Stravens, Lara French, Shawn Hattingh, and Mthetho Xhali. 🔑 Why Attend? • Explore how South Africa’s mining industry is key to the global #EnergyTransition, particularly in the production of minerals like #chrome and #Manganese • Understand the challenges faced by workers, including #LabourRights violations, hazardous working conditions, low wages, and unaffordable housing. • Learn about the ongoing struggles for unionization and how it affects vulnerable groups such as #WomenInMining, #Youth, and #MigrantWorkers. • Get insights into Profundo’s research on the mineral value chain, company due diligence, and corporate social responsibility in the mining sector. 📊 Key Takeaways: • Analysis of the labour rights landscape in the South African mining industry. • How transition minerals will shape the future of the mining sector and global supply chains. • Recommendations for companies, policymakers, and workers' unions. Register here and join us for this webinar on Labour Rights in Transition Mineral Mining in South Africa. Mark your calendars for 11 September! https://lnkd.in/e64wHZWT #JustTransition #MiningIndustry #SouthAfrica #LabourRights #SustainableMining #MineralResources #GlobalSupplyChain #CSR #EnergyTransition #Webinar #HumanRights #MiningSector #CNVInternationaal #Profundo #ILRIG #CSDDD #HRDD #ILO #ITUC #manganese #titanium #chromium #vanadium #OSH #OHS #FreedomofAssociation Daantje Bras Francisca van Dusseldorp

A U.S. State Department official briefing reporters said the national carrier #MIAT Mongolian Airlines would be able to fly directly to an as-yet-undecided U.S. airport by next year (2024). Let's delve into the fascinating world of rare earth elements (REEs) and their geopolitical implications, particularly in the context of Mongolia. 1. **Mongolia's Rare Earth Diplomacy**:   - Mongolia, nestled between China and Russia, is rich in minerals, including copper and rare earths. Recently, it has been making a strategic shift toward the United States, positioning itself as a "#third #neighbor" to enhance cooperation.   - Prime Minister Oyun-Erdene Luvsannamsrai visited Washington to fortify U.S. ties concerning critical minerals, with a particular focus on rare earth mining¹.   - An "#Open #Skies" #aviation agreement was brokered between Mongolia and the U.S., aimed at bolstering direct trade and potentially #air-#shipping rare earths from Mongolia to the United States. 2. **#Chokepoint Strategy and #Geopolitical Implications**:   - The China-U.S. relationship has become increasingly competitive, with both nations vying for control over critical mineral supply chains.   - Supply chains, while essential for efficiency, are vulnerable to external shocks. Chokepoints—critical and irreplaceable components—can be targeted intentionally to disrupt supply.   - Mongolia's rare earths could serve as a strategic chokepoint. If air-shipped to the U.S., it would impact China's dominance in the REE market, potentially affecting China-U.S. strategic competition. 3. **Environmental Considerations**:   - China, which currently dominates rare earth production, learned the environmental cost of heavy rare earth mining. Restoration efforts in Jiangxi Province may take decades and cost billions¹.   - Mongolia's sustainable approach to mining and environmental stewardship could be a valuable asset. 4. **Investment Opportunities and Economic Growth**:   - Mongolia stands to benefit economically from expanded diplomatic ties with the U.S. and potential investments in rare earth mining.   - The collaboration could diversify U.S. sources of rare earths, crucial for high-tech applications and efforts to combat climate change⁵. In summary, Mongolia's rare earth diplomacy holds promise for mutual gains, while also impacting global geopolitics and environmental sustainability. It's a fascinating intersection of economics, geopolitics, and environmental responsibility. 🌏🌱⁵¹. Source: US Discussed 'Creative Ways' to Help Landlocked Mongolia Export Rare .... https://lnkd.in/gPpknsXF. #REE #innovation #USA #Mongolia #airshipping

China’s Third Plenum and seemingly unrelated bold step by Rio Tinto into the Simandou project in Africa combined is yet another powerful reminder that geopolitics and geoeconomics will reshape Australian economy and business https://lnkd.in/e4U5AXXZ https://lnkd.in/e4U5AXXZ

Silverado applauds the Department of Homeland Security's recent decision to add Chinese companies from the minerals sector to its Uyghur Forced Labor Prevention Act (UFLPA) entity list, barring the importation of products from these companies into the U.S. due to allegations of forced labor in China. This action is a significant step in using the UFLPA to combat labor violations in China’s minerals sector. Additions to the entity list are determined by the Forced Labor Enforcement Task Force (FLETF), which is chaired by Under Secretary of Homeland Security for Policy Robert Silvers, and includes representatives from various agencies, including the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR). In our comments to USTR submitted in April, Silverado strongly supported the UFLPA’s application to the critical minerals supply chain. We urged the FLETF to enforce the UFLPA for critical minerals sourced from Xinjiang, citing concerns over forced labor in lithium processing within the Xinjiang region. As noted in our comments, the House Select Committee on the Chinese Communist Party has emphasized the need to expand the UFLPA list to cover critical minerals industries, highlighting how extensive mining and processing in Xinjiang impact global supply chains, including those for electric vehicle batteries. Take a look at our recommendations to USTR: https://lnkd.in/e7kHFGCs

An influential group of former military and political leaders are calling for the U.S. to ratify the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, in an effort to spur the country’s interest in deep-sea mining amid competition with China for critical minerals. In a draft letter seen by The Wall Street Journal, former U.S. statesmen and women and retired U.S. Army, Navy, Marine Corps and intelligence personnel—including former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and former Deputy Secretary of State John Negroponte—are calling on Senate leaders to ratify the treaty in a bid for the country to stake its claim over areas of international waters where minerals such as cobalt and nickel, considered critical for the energy transition and in defense applications, can be sourced. “We have already lost two of our four “USA” designated deep seabed mine sites, each containing a trillion dollars in value of the strategic minerals of copper, nickel, cobalt, manganese and rare earths; minerals critical both for United States security dominance as well as the transition to a greener twenty-first Century,” the letter, addressed to Sen. Ben Cardin (D., Md.) and Sen. Jim Risch (R., Idaho), said. The Law of the Sea Treaty, which came into effect in 1994, is an international agreement establishing the legal framework for maritime and marine activities. The U.S. recognizes the treaty but never ratified it. In terms of mining the seabed, that means the country is not a voting member of the International Seabed Authority, the governing body for seabed activities in international waters. As a nonvoting member the U.S. has no say on laws pertaining to the seabed and also can’t be awarded exploration contracts to mine the seafloor in international waters. China currently has five.  #seabedmining #deepseamining #lawofthesea #isa #criticalminerals #energytransition #internationalseabedauthority #worldgameworkshop #marineenvironment #marineecosystems

Over the past year, China has begun more heavily regulating rare earth exports critical to U.S. national security. While unsurprising given U.S.-China tensions, it underscores America’s need to decouple its defense supply chains from China. To ensure it can maintain a ready rare earths supply, the U.S. government has made efforts to decouple from China. These efforts—including friend-shoring with U.S. allies, invoking the Defense Production Act (DPA), and adding provisions in the Inflation Reduction Act to fund and provide some low-cost loans to domestic rare earths producers—have helped better secure rare earth supply chains and spur American production. However, though not the only factors, drawn out litigation and high capital costs continue to make it difficult for U.S.-based rare earth mining and refinement facilities to set up shop and compete with Chinese producers. https://lnkd.in/dwJSw2gb

While China’s exports of rare earths declined slightly in April, Australia continues to secure its position as a global player in #criticalminerals. This week, the government announced massive funding for #exploration efforts, and the German Foreign Minister advocated direct trade with the country to fuel Germany's #rawmaterial needs—the details in our roundup. CHINA’S EXPORTS OF RARE EARTHS SLIGHTLY DOWN IN APRIL Rare earth exports from China declined marginally in April, falling by 0.2 percent compared to the previous year, according to data from the Chinese Customs Administration. In March, exports had still increased by almost six percent year-on-year. The other data on imports and exports from the People's Republic were positive, according to Reuters, indicating an improvement in demand at home and abroad. https://ow.ly/oGUY50RBbtm AUSTRALIA TO SPEND $373 MILLION ON RESOURCE EXPLORATION Australia is stepping up efforts to bolster its position as a global leader in mining with a $373 million (A$566 million) funding boost for resource exploration. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese announced the financing in a speech on Wednesday. Over the coming decade, the government agency Geoscience Australia will focus on mapping new deposits of critical minerals but also search for traditional raw materials like iron ore or gold. https://ow.ly/M0VX50RBbtr CRITICAL RAW MATERIALS: GERMAN FOREIGN MINISTER ADVOCATES DIRECT TRADE WITH AUSTRALIA During her state visit to Australia, German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock spoke out in favor of direct trade in critical raw materials such as lithium. The battery metal would currently be shipped from Australia to China for further processing and then imported from there to Germany, she told ABC News. Germany's own capacities for refining lithium are currently under construction. https://ow.ly/9pzr50RBbtq WHITE HOUSE ADVISOR URGES MORE INVESTMENTS IN CRITICAL MINERAL PROJECTS IN DEVELOPING AND EMERGING NATIONS To secure the supply of critical minerals for energy transition and other high-tech fields, the United States and its allies must ramp up investments in nations that host the resources, according to Amos Hochstein, Senior Advisor to President Joe Biden for Energy and Investment. In a panel at Milken Institute in Los Angeles, Hochstein spoke about global supply chains of raw materials and emphasized that without the critical minerals from countries like Chile, Peru, or the Democratic Republic of the Congo, global energy transition efforts would be impossible to achieve. https://ow.ly/hbaP50RBbtn #news