Latest news with #strategicminerals
South China Morning Post
4 days ago
- South China Morning Post
China ramps up crackdown on strategic mineral smugglers, vows stronger export controls
A number of suspects involved in strategic mineral smuggling had been arrested, Chinese authorities said on Saturday, while pledging stronger enforcement of export controls to prevent illegal shipments and technology transfers for military use. The Ministry of Commerce statement came during a high-level export-control meeting in Nanning, capital of Guangxi Zhuang autonomous region – an area of southern China rich in strategic mineral reserves . Multiple ministries attended the meeting, which was organised by the national coordination office for export control. Officials at the meeting said the situation in combating the smuggling of strategic minerals 'remained severe'. They said plans were under way to set up a joint enforcement and coordination centre for export controls on dual-use items for both civilian and military use, as a special operation to crack down on smuggling continued. The special operation launched in May has resulted in multiple arrests, according to the ministry statement. However, Saturday's progress update meeting did not reveal the exact number of arrests made so far. 'Relevant departments must take full responsibility for their duties, maintain a high-pressure approach of strict investigation and enforcement, and firmly prevent the illegal outflow of strategic minerals and related technologies,' the statement said. Authorities said that some offenders continued to collude with foreign parties to carry out illegal exports driven by personal gain. Tactics to evade detection – such as false declarations and transshipment through third countries – had become 'increasingly covert', they warned.
South China Morning Post
4 days ago
- South China Morning Post
China cracks down on rare earth smugglers, vowing stronger export controls
Chinese authorities said a number of suspects involved in strategic mineral smuggling had been arrested and vowed to strengthen enforcement of export controls to prevent the illegal use of goods and technologies for military purposes. The statement from the Ministry of Commerce came during a high-level meeting on Saturday in Nanning city in Guangxi Zhuang autonomous region – an area of southern China rich in strategic mineral reserves . The meeting was organised by the Office of the National Export Control Coordination Mechanism and attended by multiple ministries. Officials at the meeting said the situation in combating the smuggling of strategic minerals 'remained severe'. They said they planned to set up a joint enforcement and coordination centre for export controls on dual-use items for both civilian and military use as they carried out a special operation to crack down on smuggling. 'Relevant departments must take full responsibility for their duties, maintain a high-pressure approach of strict investigation and enforcement, and firmly prevent the illegal outflow of strategic minerals and related technologies,' the statement said. The authorities launched the special operation to combat strategic mineral smuggling in May, which resulted in the arrests. In the progress update meeting on Saturday, authorities did not specify the exact number of arrests they had made so far. They said that some offenders continued to collude with foreign parties to carry out illegal exports driven by personal gain. They warned that tactics to evade – such as false declarations and transshipment through third countries – had become 'increasingly covert'.
Reuters
5 days ago
- Business
- Reuters
China vows tougher action against smuggling of strategic minerals
SHANGHAI, July 19 (Reuters) - China vowed on Saturday to step up a crackdown and toughen law enforcement against smuggling of strategic minerals seen as vital to national security and critical for development. The remarks by the commerce ministry came a day after the state security ministry accused foreign spy agencies of having tried to "steal" rare earths and pledged to crack down on infiltration and espionage targeting the critical sector. The world's largest supplier of dozens of strategic minerals, China began imposing export curbs in 2023 on supplies vital to sectors ranging from chipmaking and the energy transition to defence. The commerce ministry remarks, describing smuggling and export of strategic minerals as a severe problem to be combated, came at a meeting of officials responsible for export control coordination and other government bodies. "Cases of smuggling by a small number of criminals for their own selfish interests and collusion between domestic and foreign parties are still occurring," it said in a statement. Evasive methods such as false declarations and third-country transshipment were taking on increasingly covert forms, it added, urging government bodies to prevent illegal outflows of strategic minerals and related technologies. China has adopted a "zero-tolerance" approach to smuggling and export of strategic minerals, which it will fight with a heavy hand, through special efforts to toughen law enforcement, the ministry said. In May China said it would strengthen controls on the entire supply chains of strategic mineral exports while tightening its grip on materials deemed crucial to national interest. Earlier, Beijing launched a special campaign to tackle smuggling of strategic minerals such as gallium, germanium, antimony, tungsten and some rare earths.
Zawya
5 days ago
- Business
- Zawya
African Special Mining Report Launches Ahead of the African Mining Week (AMW) 2025
Energy Capital&Power (ECP) ( in partnership with global accounting, audit and advisory network Moore Global, is proud to launch the African Special Mining Report 2025, a definitive analysis of Africa's mining landscape released in support of African Mining Week (AMW). As the world accelerates toward a low-carbon, high-tech future, Africa is emerging as a critical player in global mineral supply chains. This timely publication captures the continent's rising profile as a destination for strategic mineral investment – from copper and cobalt to lithium, gold, graphite and iron ore – while providing deep, actionable insight into the trends, policy shifts and financing structures shaping the future of mining across Africa. Produced as an official knowledge product of AMW 2025, the report connects directly to the platform's mission of driving capital, partnerships and industrial development across Africa's mining value chain. With extensive contributions from Moore Global's energy, mining and renewables experts, the report draws on decades of experience advising clients in Africa and globally, offering forward-looking perspectives on ESG compliance, climate finance, regulatory reform and capital mobilization for mining ventures. The report explores Africa's renewed strategic importance in global mineral supply chains, spotlighting developments such as the copper resurgence in Zambia and the DRC, the return of private equity to the continent's mining sector and the persistent logistics challenges impacting offtake reliability. It also examines how ESG metrics are increasingly being monetized, how climate finance is reshaping the feasibility of mining projects and how the integration of renewables is redefining operational best practices. Alongside these forward-looking insights, the report provides a clear-eyed view of the regulatory landscape, analyzing sovereign policy shifts, beneficiation mandates and the evolving capital environment for both junior and major mining companies. 'This report is about more than trends – it's about where the African mining sector is headed, who is driving the shift and how the global investment landscape is responding. It also underscores AMW's unique role in anchoring high-level dialogue and dealmaking around these developments. We're proud to partner with Moore Global to deliver a resource that informs, challenges and empowers decision-makers across the mining ecosystem,' stated Rachelle Kasongo, AMW Conference Director. The African Special Mining Report 2025 is now available digitally ( Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Energy Capital&Power. For media inquiries, interview requests or report access, please contact: communications@
Yahoo
25-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
What's Going to Save America From a Recession? Former White House Advisor: Tax Could Be Replaced by Resources and Tariffs
Plan would eliminate IRS, fund government with strategic minerals, and cut China out of U.S. supply chains WASHINGTON, May 25, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The United States may be preparing to execute one of the most dramatic financial pivots in its history. According to former White House and Pentagon Insider Jim Rickards, the plan doesn't involve raising taxes or issuing new debt—but dismantling the IRS and funding the government with tariffs instead. From Taxpayer Burden to Resource Leverage Under the new proposal, federal income tax would be eliminated for most working Americans—particularly those earning less than $150,000 annually. Wages, tips, and Social Security payments would be exempt from taxation. Instead, the U.S. would return to an earlier system—generating revenue through tariffs. 'Presidents' goal is very simple,' said Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick. 'To abolish the Internal Revenue Service and let all the outsiders pay.' But Rickards believes that, for the first time, the US could activate a $150 trillion reserve of strategic minerals held on federal land to help generate revenue as well. Rickards explains that this model mirrors the approach taken by global resource powers like Saudi Arabia and Norway—both of which have used commodity-backed sovereign wealth funds to grow their economies while lowering the burden on citizens. Chevron Is Gone. The Vault Is Open. A major obstacle to this approach was removed in 2024 when the Supreme Court overturned the Chevron Doctrine, which had allowed unelected federal agencies to stall or block access to domestic mineral projects. Rickards calls this ruling 'the legal key' to unlocking America's resource vault, which includes: $3.1 trillion in Nome, Alaska $7.35 trillion in Midland, Texas $516 billion in California's Salton Sea region 'These assets have been sealed off for decades—not because they weren't valuable, but because we were legally blocked from accessing them,' Rickards says. 'Now, the lock is gone.' The End of Chinese Leverage? This strategy also carries major geopolitical weight. Rickards notes that China currently controls most of the global supply for critical minerals—resources that power everything from AI chips to electric vehicles to advanced weapons systems. 'If America activates its own reserves and builds revenue on top of them, it's not just about taxes anymore,' he says. 'It's about ending our economic dependence and reshaping the global balance of power.' About Jim Rickards Jim Rickards is a former legal and strategic advisor to the CIA, Federal Reserve, and U.S. Treasury. He has counseled presidential administrations on financial warfare, systemic risk, and global resource policy. He is now editor of Strategic Intelligence, a monthly briefing on global economic and political disruption. Media Contact:Derek WarrenPublic Relations ManagerParadigm Press GroupEmail: dwarren@
