Australia is emerging as a “global resource rising star”, with International Energy Agency executive director Fatih Birol pointing to its large reserves of lithium, nickel and rare earths plus mature iron ore and coal supply chains as key leverage in an electrified energy system. Birol flagged that Australia’s existing export infrastructure, established ESG frameworks and experience supplying over 50 per cent of global seaborne iron ore give it a strategic edge as EV and grid-scale battery demand accelerates. For miners, the message is to fast-track critical minerals projects and downstream processing while maintaining cost competitiveness against Latin American and African producers.

Lynas Rare Earths has signed an agreement with South Korea’s LS Eco Energy to secure a long-term pathway for separated rare earth oxides from Lynas’ Mt Weld mine and processing hubs. The deal targets neodymium-praseodymium (NdPr) and other magnet metals for LS Eco Energy’s planned downstream facilities in South Korea, integrating Lynas’ upstream concentration and cracking-leaching capacity with Korean alloy and magnet manufacturing. For mining and processing engineers, the partnership signals tighter alignment of mine output specifications with end-user magnet-grade quality and traceable non-Chinese supply chains.

PNG Expo 2026 in Port Moresby is planning an expanded floorplan and multi-stream conference programme to attract miners, contractors and OEMs across Papua New Guinea’s gold, copper and LNG sectors. Organiser Prime Creative Media is targeting larger equipment displays, including surface and underground fleets, processing plant technologies and mine services, with strong early exhibitor interest reported. For geotechnical and civil teams, the event is positioned as a regional hub to source pit slope monitoring systems, ground support products and infrastructure solutions for remote, high-rainfall sites.