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China has invested over $120bn in overseas mining and mineral processing projects since 2023, according to a new report from the Australian think tank Climate Energy Finance (CEF). The report indicates that these investments, primarily in lithium, rare earths, nickel, and other critical minerals for clean energy technologies, have contributed to the expansion of clean energy industries in developing countries. Chinese firms are engaging with host governments to develop processing facilities and related infrastructure, such as ports, in exchange for long-term resource access and agreements to purchase output from energy projects. Read more

Tim Buckley, energy analyst and director of the think tank Climate Energy Finance, can see an argument for restricting EV subsidies to cheaper models, but is appalled at reports the treasurer is backpedalling from a proposal to limit diesel subsidies used by big miners. Buckley, alongside climate groups and Andrew Forrest’s Fortescue Mining, has been calling for the government to cap subsidies on diesel used by big mining companies and return the saved revenue to the same businesses to help them electrify their operations. His analysis shows the largest beneficiary of the fuel tax rebate has been BHP followed by Rio Tinto. Read more

Tim Buckley from Climate Energy Finance warns that China shift puts Australia’s critical minerals exports at risk. He says China’s strategic pivot on critical minerals presents a growing long‑term risk for Australia’s export engine. Buckley notes that structural demand for lithium, rare earths, copper and nickel is rising as the energy transition accelerates, yet China – the world’s largest buyer – is rapidly securing new mining and processing supply offshore. He highlights iron ore as a particular concern, arguing that China’s US$23 billion investment in Guinea for an additional 120 million tonnes of higher‑grade iron ore, alongside steel demand peaking in 2020, poses a structural threat to Australia’s dominant, but lower‑grade, export position. Read more

Australia faces economic and energy pressures as China diversifies from reliance on its natural resources, investing $120 billion in supply chains across Africa and South America. Despite record trade, Australia risks overdependence on China. Disruptions to Qatar’s gas exports may push LNG prices up, benefiting multinationals and potentially the federal budget. Key resources like lithium, copper, and rare earths are vital for EVs and energy storage, prompting calls for stronger domestic energy security and renewable production. Read more

New CEF report warns Australias dig-and-ship economy faces a clear and present threat as China systematically diversifies away from Australian supply across lithium, iron ore and critical minerals A major new report released today by independent think tank Climate Energy Finance (CEF) – Raw Power: China locks-in global dominance of critical minerals and metals with $120bn outbound investment surge – finds that China’s accelerating outbound resource investment program is reducing China’s supply chain risks and locking-in its global dominance of key materials as it diversifies away from its dependence on Australian exports. This presents a clear and present economic risk to Australia, particularly as we have yet to find a structure to allow our world leading mining sector to move meaningfully beyond “dig-and-ship”. Read more

The shuttering of a WA lithium refinery after just four years should serve as a warning as China pumps more than $160 billion into overseas critical minerals and metals endeavours. US company Albemarle shut up shop at its South West lithium refinery in February, citing its struggle to compete with China’s low-cost production. Climate Energy Finance director Tim Buckley said its closure was a consequence of China’s strategic diversification to boost critical minerals and clean tech capacity. Read more

A major new report released 19 March 2026, by independent think tank Climate Energy Finance (CEF) – Raw Power: China locks-in global dominance of critical minerals and metals with $120bn outbound investment surge – finds that China’s accelerating outbound resource investment program is reducing China’s supply chain risks and locking in its global dominance of key materials as it diversifies away from its dependence on Australian exports. This presents a clear and present economic risk to Australia, particularly as we have yet to find a structure to allow our world leading mining sector to move meaningfully beyond “dig-and-ship”. Read more

Mr Buckley has co-authored a report on China’s evolving strategy to entrench its dominance in lithium, copper, nickel, rare earths and other elements of the low carbon supply chain. The Asian powerhouse has invested heavily in domestic mining and manufacturing capacity as well as launched a comprehensive foreign investment strategy targeted at the Global South. Read more

A new report from Climate Energy Finance has warned that surging outbound investment into mining and processing assets across Africa and South America is reshaping global trade flows and eroding Australia’s long-held edge in key commodities including lithium and iron ore. The report finds China has deployed more than US$120 billion ($168 billion) into upstream mining and processing projects since 2023, securing supply chains and building in-country refining capacity across partner nations. Read more

China has committed more than US$120 billion in direct investment in overseas mining and mineral processing projects since 2023 – covering the likes of lithium and rare earth metals – with that spending boosting clean energy usage in developing countries, a think tank said on Wednesday. It was helping to advance the “zero-emissions world economy” by offering mineral inputs for solar equipment, wind power, electric vehicles and industrial decarbonisation offshore, the Australian think tank Climate Energy Finance (CEF) said in a report titled “Raw Power”. Read more

Via AAP in Canberra Times and 100+ mastheads Climate Energy Finance director Tim Buckley said its closure was a consequence of China’s strategic diversification to boost critical minerals and clean tech capacity. “That is a serious problem,” he told AAP. “We will stay a dig and ship country if we can’t actually get other countries to value the geopolitical stability that we offer.” Read more

New CEF report warns Australia’s dig-and-ship economy faces a clear and present threat as China systematically diversifies away from Australian supply across lithium, iron ore and critical minerals. Read more