Talon Metals Corp.’s Post

Amid growing demand for critical minerals worldwide, the Chinese Ministry of State Security vowed to protect Beijing’s supply chains, linking a steady stream of critical minerals with national security in a social media post, the South China Morning Post reports. The Ministry argues that the sphere of critical minerals has become a new battleground between global superpowers and ushered in a new age of resource nationalism. #criticalminerals #rawmaterials #ree #supplychains

US Eyes Africa to Diversify Battery Metal Supply Chains The United States is turning to Africa to break free from Chinese dominance in battery metals and reduce reliance on Russian minerals, US Deputy Treasury Secretary Wally Adeyemo revealed last week. In the wake of the pandemic and Russia’s war in Ukraine, Western nations are seeking alternatives to Chinese supply chains and are looking to bolster their access to critical minerals for energy tran... Read more on the link below https://lnkd.in/gbqQYH4a

✅ Great insights on a "Growing", issue!! The Strategy: (Battery Metals Africa) ♻️ The West (#Canada/#USA), sourcing its #critical supply of certain Materials from New #Partnerships and #Countries,other then #China, is a very good strategy and a 'breath of fresh air'. ♻️ In these trying times, future #Volatility is certainly not needed, not feasible, and the avoidance of said volatility, should be implemented and enforced as a part of well thought-out #Risk #Management plan/strategy!! ♻️ #Outsourcing for current and future #Innovations, #Sustainabilities and essentials for the development of new #Technologies, and into new #Supplychain #Agreements, can only bolster more independence away from China and free of the Volatile State, for which seems to be never ending! #metals #supply #partners #supplychains #logistics #markets #shipping #routes #minerals #mining #tech #newtech #manufacturer #manufacturing #test #innovate #technology #business #foreign #domestic #domesticated #supplier #production #enviromental John Global Mineral Holdings Inc. #gmhinc

Here are some Friday afternoon thoughts on the Chinese antimony export limits, and critical mineral panics in general. By discussing every tweak to Chinese export rules as if it were a salvo aimed directly at the Western economy, geopolitics pundits have badly distorted our understanding of Beijing’s motivations, and the minerals sector in general, and this is stymieing our attempts to develop our own supply chains. For all the paranoia around supposed Chinese control, the truth is that the West doesn't have a critical mineral supply problem. It has a critical mineral demand problem. If you really want more Western mines, then it's time to start building some more Western factories.

China dominates the supply of critical minerals to the U.S., with the Energy Act of 2020 defining them as essential to economic and national security. Among the 50 listed, China is the leading producer for 30, including yttrium, rare earths, and antimony. The U.S. imports 94% of yttrium from China, raising concerns about vulnerability in supply chains, especially for defense systems. Trade tensions have escalated as China imposed export controls on germanium and gallium, impacting U.S. demand for crucial minerals used in chips, solar panels, and fiber optics.

Another UK Select Committee Inquiry Into Critical Minerals "The Foreign Affairs Committee is today publishing its report, “A rock and a hard place: building critical mineral resilience”. Critical minerals, such as lithium and cobalt, are of strategic significance to the UK and are essential to our economic security and to meeting our climate change targets." This is a subject that was addressed by Science & Technology Select Committee back in 2011. https://lnkd.in/eCPU-S77 It is good that different parts of the UK Government are recognising the importance of material supply chains. To manufacture in Britain we need access to materials and the ability to convert those materials (primary or secondary) into useful components - not only in terms of military requirements (aka Ukraine) but also if we are to transition to a low carbon economy. For want of a nail the shoe was lost. For want of a shoe the horse was lost. For want of a horse the rider was lost. For want of a rider the battle was lost. For want of a battle the kingdom was lost. And all for the want of a horseshoe nail. (for the want of a battery supply chain an EV industry cannot exist) This subject should not be allowed to fall between the gaps between different government departments. In the past a number of organisations have lobbied for the formation of a Ministry of Resources that would be responsible for managing this subject - with the resources required to support long term plans and coordination between Departments. This was done by a Ministry of Supply during the Second World War. This subject is too important to forget in times of peace - it requires long term strategic thinking and effective links between Government and business. Enough has been said and written about this subject - it is action that is required. https://lnkd.in/e2khy7hs

In this US/West-China rivalry over the supply chains of critical minerals, a country like Morocco is pulling ahead even though it is not a producing country.  Its advantages? free-trade agreements with the USA and the EU, geographical proximity to Europe, political and economic stability, and a solid industrial base.  China's strategy? Quite simply, to take advantage of the "friends-shoring" of the Inflation Reduction Act.  China's unexpected allies are found among Western private companies and US-allied countries that still want to do business with Chinese companies. Mind you some of these companies are coming from US Minerals Security Partnership members. Read more on this commentary I wrote for the CSIS Africa Program Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) https://lnkd.in/gDVS9Cdb #criticalminerals #uschina #ChinaAfrica.

Data from China made the rounds this week, as did Australia’s efforts to boost its critical minerals sector. The People’s Republic published export figures for rare earths, and Australian politicians convened with foreign counterparts. The details in our roundup: CHINA: RARE EARTH EXPORTS CLIMB Quasi-monopolist China has presented figures for January and February on the export of rare earths. Compared to the same period last year, the customs authority reported an increase of 18.7 percent. The amount of exported raw materials required for numerous high-tech applications rose to 8,774 tons. https://ow.ly/stF550QOtWw CHINA: MORE FUNDING FOR RESOURCE EXPLORATION China invested roughly $15 billion in the search for natural resources last year. This is eight percent more than in the previous year, China Daily reports. https://ow.ly/41sy50QOtWz CRITICAL MINERALS: AUSTRALIAN RESOURCE MINISTER TO VISIT THE U.S. AND CANADA Australia’s Resource Minister Madeleine King visited the U.S. and Canada this week to attend conferences and hold talks on critical minerals, supply chains, and decarbonization. She also met with her Canadian and U.S. counterparts to promote Australia’s mining sector and emphasize the high ESG and safety standards in the industry Down Under in an effort to get them on board a green surcharge for critical minerals. https://ow.ly/Zu2o50QOtWv CRITICAL MINERALS: AUSTRALIA-VIETNAM RELATIONS ENTER “NEW ERA” Australia and Vietnam announced that they are lifting their relations to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese called the upgrade a “new era for Australia-Vietnam relations,” adding that the two countries share similar goals in sustainability, trade, defense, and other fields. As part of the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, Vietnam and Australia will hold an annual ministerial dialogue on energy and minerals to increase cooperation in the sectors, including raw material supply chains. https://ow.ly/3pr550QOtWy #news #miningnews #rawmaterials #rareearths

Very smart take on China's clear strategy and intent to build up controlling stake in certain critical minerals like nickel and gallium and then leverage that control for its geopolitical and security goals. As Gregory Wischer and Lyle Trytten so ably point out, China is showing its cards here -- the question is will we take the hint and prepare accordingly?

The United States is seeking to diversify its supply chain for critical minerals and reduce its dependence on China by establishing partnerships with Central Asian republics, though it anticipates various challenges. In particular, China's restrictions on gallium and germanium exports and significant economic influence in the region raise concerns. The United States, which is aiming to secure a steady supply of essential minerals through a new strategy that may involve offering technology and undertaking critical projects that could strengthen its position in the region. https://lnkd.in/dJM25U5h