Testing China’s Control of Critical Minerals: Australia Briefing

Good morning, it’s Angus here in Sydney. Here’s what you need to know as you head into the weekend.

Today’s must-reads:
• A test case for breaking China’s grip on minerals
• AustralianSuper tying up private equity deals
• Our solar rooftop podcast

The struggling Port Pirie smelter in South Australia could be a test case in how much Western governments are willing to spend to break China’s dominance in critical minerals. Owner Nyrstar Australia is proposing a multimillion-dollar upgrade so the smelter can produce antimony — a key mineral used in munitions, semiconductors, solar panels and batteries. Read Paul-Alain Hunt’s Dispatch here.