The West’s New Critical Minerals Playbook

BJP7images/Shutterstock View: Source China has long dominated the critical minerals supply chain, with an already large share in mining of many minerals but a particular chokehold further downstream — it refines between 47% and 87% of copper, lithium, cobalt, graphite and rare earths, according to the International Energy Agency. These minerals are used in defense technologies, semiconductors, renewable energy components, batteries and refining …

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Nickel hits nine-month high as Indonesia cuts back to boost prices

Nickel is still among this year’s weaker performers on the London Metal Exchange. Credit: TheWest View: Source Nickel has hit the highest since March after top producer Indonesia flagged plans to cut supply in order to boost prices. Nickel rose as much as 4.7 per cent to $US16,560 a tonne on the LME, extending a rally that tracked other metals from mid-December. After …

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Copper Set for Biggest Annual Gain Since 2009 on Supply Bets

Photographer: Lauren Petracca/Bloomberg View: Source Copper headed for its biggest annual gain since 2009, fueled by near-term supply tightness and bets that demand for the metal key in electrification will outpace production. The red metal has notched a series of all-time highs in an end-of-year surge, rallying over 40% on the London Metal Exchange this year. That makes it, along with …

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Where are The World’s Rare Earth Minerals Located?

View: Source Rare earth elements (REEs) are the backbone of modern technology, from EV motors and wind turbines to smartphones and precision-guided systems. This map, via Visual Capitalist’s Bruno Venditti, breaks down where the world’s known rare earth reserves are located in 2025, highlighting how concentrated they are across a handful of countries. The data for this visualization comes from the U.S. Geological Survey …

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Why is platinum suddenly so expensive, and what does it mean for buyers?

View: Source Supply shortages, trade fears and China demand push platinum to record highs. Platinum surged to a fresh all-time high above $2,300 an ounce Wednesday, trading at $2,331.30 by 6:09 am GMT on tight global supplies, elevated borrowing costs and tariff hedging. The metal climbed for a 10th straight session, its longest streak since 2017, and has rocketed over 150% …

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Gold tops $4,500 as metals stand out as trade of the year: ‘Investors are just getting smarter’

View: Source Gold (GC=F) and silver (SI=F) are among this year’s biggest winners, with momentum driving prices to record highs and setting up their best year since 1979. Gold traded above $4,500 per troy ounce on Wednesday, notching another milestone in a year packed with more than 50 record highs. Silver has had an even stronger year, soaring 150% on robust industrial demand and physical …

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Critical minerals dependence could spark tensions from 2026 onward, IEA chief warns

View: Source ‘Global effort to work with countries other than China and diversify supply sources presents an opportunity for Türkiye,’ Fatih Birol tells Anadolu. Growing global dependence on a single country for critical minerals poses a serious risk to energy security and could spark international tensions as early as 2026, the head of the International Energy Agency (IEA) told Anadolu. Fatih …

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Platinum surges to record highs, eclipsing gold and silver in 2025

View: Source While gold and silver have commanded investor attention throughout much of the calendar year, another precious metal has emerged from the shadows to deliver the most spectacular performance of 2025. Platinum futures have staged a remarkable rally, culminating in a breathtaking nine-day surge that pushed prices to an all-time high of $2,323 per ounce, closing just below that level …

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Gold Rises To Fresh Record High On Safe-haven Buying

View: Source Gold prices surged to fresh record highs Tuesday morning on safe-haven buying amid escalating US-Venezuela tensions, and somewhat fading possibility of any quick end to the Russia-Ukraine war. A weak dollar contributed as well to the yellow metal’s rise. Investors are also digesting the latest batch of U.S. economic data, including the third-quarter GDP report, and the durable goods …

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