The projects are part of Antam's deal with China's Ningbo Contemporary Brunp Lygend to develop an "ecosystem" to produce EV raw materials.

Tianqi acquired a near-quarter share of SQM in 2018 for $4.1 billion amid concerns the deal could give Tianqi a near monopoly over the global lithium market.

“China’s willingness to open up to the world, and the world’s willingness to work with China” is integral to the future of energy, BHP's Mike Henry said.

Prices reached the highest point since January due to concerns about the slow recovery of production in the Chinese province.

Steel and iron ore demand is expected to find some support from "non-property sectors", analyst say.

Zijin Mining has warned that US-led efforts to tackle Beijing’s control of minerals could slow the company’s global expansion.

The feasibility study for the plant is expected to be completed in the March quarter of 2025.

Coal is proving remarkably resilient.