Global Rare Earths Roundup: Strategic Moves from China, Australia, and Industry Players

China Rare Earth Group Holds 2026 Strategic Planning Seminar

Recently, China Rare Earth Group held its 2026 Strategic Planning Seminar at its headquarters. The meeting thoroughly implemented the spirit of the Fourth Plenary Session of the 20th CPC Central Committee and fully carried out the directives of the Central Economic Work Conference. It conducted an in-depth review of the Group's development achievements in 2025, analyzed and assessed the internal and external landscape facing the industry for 2026 and beyond, clarified development directions, objectives, and tasks, providing strong support for a successful start to the 15th Five-Year Plan period. Liu Leiyun, Secretary of the Party Committee and Chairman of the Group, attended and delivered a speech, while Li Zhihui, Deputy Secretary of the Party Committee, Director, and General Manager, presided over the meeting. Members of the Group's in-house Party Committee leadership, external directors Wang Yidong and Jin Yaohua, along with representatives from some shareholder units, attended and participated in the discussions.

The meeting noted that in 2025, the Group thoroughly implemented the spirit of "important instructions and directives," achieving new high-quality development results while serving and safeguarding national strategic deployments. The entire Group maintained confidence and strategic focus, concentrated on the theme of high-quality development, closely adhered to the "Five Major Tasks," and carried out the "Five Major Initiatives," successfully completing all objectives and tasks and taking solid steps in its high-quality development journey. (Source: China Rare Earth Group)

Australian Critical Minerals Export Revenue Grows

The Office of the Chief Economist (OCE) of Australia predicts that the country's manganese and rare earth exports, supported by a critical minerals agreement reached with the US government in October, will drive growth in export revenue from other critical minerals. In the December issue of the Resources and Energy Quarterly released on December 19, the OCE stated that Australia's export value is projected to reach A$5.9 billion (US$3.9 billion) in the fiscal year from July 2026 to June 2027. This forecast is higher than the A$5 billion estimated last September. The increased export revenue is expected to be fueled by growth in manganese and rare earth exports. Manganese production is forecast to reach 3.87 million tonnes in the 2026-27 fiscal year, up from 3.84 million tonnes in 2025-26 and 1.5 million tonnes in 2024-25. Australia's manganese export revenue is projected to rise from A$1.4 billion in 2024-25 to A$2.7 billion in 2026-27. Meanwhile, rare earth export revenue is expected to increase from A$181 million in 2024-25 to A$410 million in 2026-27. The agreement with the United States will provide at least US$1 billion in financing for new projects in both countries, thereby supporting new investments in Australia's critical minerals sector. (Source: Argus Metals)

Foreign Ministry: China's Export Controls on Rare Earth-Related Items Not Targeted at Specific Countries

Regarding recent reports about China issuing new rare earth export licenses, Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Guo Jiakun stated at a regular press conference on the afternoon of December 19 that China conducts export control work on rare earth-related items in accordance with laws and regulations and does not target any specific country. As long as export applications are for civilian use and comply with regulations, the Chinese government will approve them in a timely manner. Guo Jiakun also emphasized that rare earths and related items have dual civilian and military uses, and implementing export controls on them is an international common practice. This reflects China's consistent stance of firmly safeguarding world peace and regional stability and actively participating in international non-proliferation efforts. He expressed China's willingness to strengthen dialogue and cooperation with relevant countries and regions to jointly maintain the stability of global industrial and supply chains. (Source: Ministry of Foreign Affairs)

LS Eco Energy to Invest in Vietnam's Rare Earth Industry

LS Eco Energy is strategically entering Vietnam's rare earth metals industry, aiming to secure new growth engines and strengthen its long-term business portfolio. The company announced on December 17 that its board of directors approved a plan to invest approximately KRW 28.5 billion (US$19.25 million) into the rare earth metals business, targeting medium-to-long-term growth. LS Eco Energy plans to raise about KRW 10.7 billion (US$7.23 million) by selling 297,303 treasury shares, all of which will be purchased by its largest shareholder, LS Cable & System. This move accelerates the establishment of a rare earth permanent magnet value chain, spanning from raw ore and rare earth oxides (global mining companies) to rare earth metals (Vietnam, LS Eco Energy), and finally to permanent magnets (USA, LS Cable & System). LS Eco Energy plans to install rare earth metallization facilities at its production subsidiary (LSCV) in Ho Chi Minh City. There, the company will produce rare earth metals by refining rare earth oxides supplied by mining companies. A representative from LS Eco Energy stated, "We are currently in negotiations with global mining companies regarding rare earth supply and joint ventures. The final investment amount will be adjusted based on the equity ratio in the joint venture and the progress of the project." (Source: Industry Frontline)

Northern Rare Earth's "Baiyun Obo" Brand Ranks Among Top 10 in Inner Mongolia Brand Value

According to Hello Northern Rare Earth News, at the recent 12th Inner Mongolia Brand Conference, Northern Rare Earth's brand "Baiyun Obo" ranked among the top ten in the "Inner Mongolia Well-Known (Top 100) Brands" list, with a brand value of RMB 21.264 billion, a 26% year-on-year increase. It also received honors such as "2025 Inner Mongolia Brand Building Benchmark Enterprise" and "2025 Inner Mongolia Rare Earth Industry Iconic Brand." In recent years, Northern Rare Earth has continuously strengthened brand building. Aiming to enhance independent innovation capabilities and core competitiveness, the company completed the compilation and release of brand planning, a value system, and management measures, establishing a systematic brand management system. It standardized and unified product brand packaging and identifiers to improve brand management. The company actively organized and participated in various brand promotion activities to expand brand influence. To date, Northern Rare Earth holds 174 registered trademarks and 14 international trademarks. Among them, the "Baiyun Obo" trademark has been recognized as a China Well-Known Trademark. Brands like "Baiyun Obo," "Wuhua," and "Panda" have become leading domestic rare earth product brands and have successfully entered the international market. (Source: Northern Rare Earth)