Lynas, Arafura Rally on Rare-Earth Supply Concerns
MiningJan 24, 2026
China
ASX-listed rare-earth miners firmed as geopolitical tensions and reported Chinese export curbs refocused markets on critical metal supplies. Lynas drew the most attention, bouncing after reports of renewed demand tied to Chinese restrictions and amid heightened scrutiny of short sellers; the company also announced a forthcoming CEO departure, prompting questions about near-term leadership and strategy. Arafura and other peers posted modest gains, supported by a broader base-metals lift that left the ASX 200 slightly higher. Traders pointed to rising volumes and tight trading ranges as drivers of sector volatility, with investors balancing strong downstream demand from clean-energy and defence applications against the concentration of processing capacity in China. Analysts caution that while policy shifts or trade frictions could accelerate investment into alternative sources and refining capacity, significant supply expansion will be capital- and time-intensive, keeping structural tightness plausible in the medium term. Market participants will watch policy signals, export controls and project timelines to assess whether current price moves mark a durable repricing of risk.
St George Mining
SGQ
St George Mining Limited (ASX:SGQ) is a West Perth-based exploration company targeting critical minerals like niobium, rare earths, lithium, nickel, and copper. Key assets include the Araxá Project in Brazil—acquired in 2025 with a maiden resource of 41.2 Mt at 0.68% Nb2O5 and 40.6 Mt at 4.13% TREO—and Western Australia's Mt Alexander project.