EU agrees mineral supply targets to cut reliance on China
The agreed rules set targets for the region to mine 10% of the critical raw materials it consumes, such as lithium, and for the first time copper and nickel.
China’s overseas investment in metals and mining as part of its Belt and Road Initiative surged by 158% last year, hitting $19.4 billion with energy transition metals the main focus.
Australia is throwing a lifeline to its under pressure nickel mining sector, but the solution on offer is more of a band aid than the needed major surgery, the carving of the global nickel industry into green and dirty.