PERTH: China announced plans to impose export restrictions on heavy rare earths, a move that could reshape global supply chains and create opportunities for alternative producers like Australia’s Northern Minerals Ltd.
The Australian company, focused on heavy rare earths such as dysprosium and terbium, is advancing its Browns Range Project in Western Australia. These minerals are critical for high-performance magnets used in electric vehicles, wind turbines, and defense technologies.
Northern Minerals CEO Shane Hartwig said the restrictions highlight the risks of relying on a single supplier. “As the world rethinks its supply chains, we aim to play a central role in building Australia’s critical minerals future,” he said. The company has a partnership with Iluka Resources to supply rare earths concentrate to a refinery in Western Australia.
China dominates global production of dysprosium and terbium. The new export curbs, part of a broader response to U.S. tariffs, include restrictions on both raw minerals and finished magnets. Analysts say the move could accelerate efforts by Western nations to secure alternative sources.
Northern Minerals’ Browns Range Project, particularly its Wolverine deposit, is one of Australia’s highest-grade sources of heavy rare earths. The company is conducting a feasibility study to scale up production.