Australia Orders China-Linked Investors to Sell Northern Minerals Stake
Six China-, Hong Kong- and BVI-linked investors must sell 1.7 billion shares within 14 days, after Canberra cited national security concerns.
- On Monday, Federal Treasurer Jim Chalmers ordered six China-linked investors to divest about 1.7 billion shares in Northern Minerals within 14 days, requiring the entities controlling 17.5% of the company to sell their holdings to protect national interests.
- Following previous divestment orders in 2024 and 2025, officials aim to protect the Browns Range rare earths project, a critical asset for military and tech manufacturing facing suspected foreign influence and control.
- Targeted investors include Vastness Investment Group and Real International Resources, after Treasury concerns that parties breached earlier directives by transferring shares to Hong Kong Ying Tak Ltd to circumvent selling requirements.
- Shares in the company fell more than 4% in morning trade as Northern Minerals entered a trading halt, stating it is "currently considering" the treasurer's orders and "will make a further announcement once it has done so."
- John Coyne from the Australian Strategic Policy Institute told the ABC that the government "appears to have concluded" investors ignored repeated directions, signaling Australia's increased use of investment policy for economic security.
22 Articles
22 Articles
Australia Orders 6 Chinese Firms to Sell Off Interest in Rare Earth Miner
Treasurer Jim Chalmers has given six shareholders 14 days to sell their interests—about 17.5 percent—in Australian rare earths miner Northern Minerals Limited. The six shareholders include four companies and two individuals—all but one are based in Hong Kong or China. Northern Minerals, which hopes to extract dysprosium and terbium in Western Australia’s East Kimberley region, has long been a target of Chinese interest with multiple companies at…
The government of Australia is trying to push back China's influence on rare earth trading, which has now been felt by the shareholders of a mining company.
Sydney Morning Herald
Chinese investors ordered to sell millions of shares in Australian miner
Six companies and individuals based in China, Hong Kong and the British Virgin Islands who dominate the investor base of rare earth miner Northern Minerals have been ordered by Treasurer Jim Chalmers to divest their shareholdings.
Federal government intervenes for third time over China-linked stakes in rare earths miner
The federal treasurer orders another six companies to divest their holdings in Northern Minerals as concerns grow in Canberra that Chinese-backed investors are trying to seize control of the rare earths mining company.
Coverage Details
Bias Distribution
- 47% of the sources lean Left
Factuality
To view factuality data please Upgrade to Premium
