Western Australia’s mining industry bodies have backed Glen Kelly’s review of the state’s native title and cultural heritage processes, which was tabled in the WA Parliament and targets reduced duplication between the Aboriginal Heritage Act 1972 and Native Title Act 1993 approvals. The review recommends clearer timeframes and a single, streamlined consultation pathway for Traditional Owners and project proponents, replacing overlapping heritage surveys and parallel negotiations. For miners, the changes promise more predictable project schedules and lower legal and compliance risk without removing existing heritage protections.

The US House has passed H.R. 7037, the DOMINANCE (Developing Overseas Mineral Investments and New Allied Networks for Critical Energies) Act, aimed at cutting reliance on China, which currently controls about 90% of global rare earth processing capacity. The legislation focuses on overseas strategic mineral investments with allies, expanded energy diplomacy, and workforce development to support mining, processing, refining, and recycling. Backers include the National Association of Manufacturers, the Information Technology Industry Council, SAFE’s Center for Critical Minerals Strategy, and the US-ASEAN Business Council.

China has confirmed that its January export ban on dual-use rare earth products for Japanese military use remains in force, despite a reported US request to resume sales over technology supply chain concerns. Foreign ministry spokesperson Lin Jian said rare earths stay classified as “dual-use materials” under Chinese law and linked the move to containing Japanese remilitarisation and nuclear ambitions, even as customs data show overall Chinese rare earth exports hitting a four‑month high in May but still below last year. Japan is responding by building alternative supply, including a A$1.6 billion rare earths deal with Australia and a “trilateral buyers” club with France and Canada.