Infrastructure projects deemed of “critical national importance” will be fast-tracked under new powers allowing Parliament to let ministers designate schemes for accelerated delivery. The chancellor signalled that nationally significant works such as major rail upgrades, strategic highways and large energy or water infrastructure could move more quickly through planning and approvals. For engineers, this points to compressed design and procurement timetables, earlier geotechnical investigations, and tighter coordination of statutory undertaker diversions and environmental consents.

International Council on Mining and Metals CEO Rohitesh Dhawan warns a looming “space race” for global mineral supremacy could sharply accelerate government backing for new mining projects and approvals. Organisers say IMARC 2026 in Melbourne will be a key test of this shift, with Dhawan and other senior international delegations expected to gauge policy support, permitting pipelines and cross-border investment appetite. For project developers and consultants, the event is likely to signal how aggressively governments will pursue critical minerals, infrastructure and ESG frameworks over the next decade.

EU regulators are preparing a formal statement of objections to MMG’s planned acquisition of Anglo American’s Brazilian nickel business, which includes two ferronickel operations and two greenfield projects, amid concerns MMG could divert ferronickel away from European stainless steel producers. The Hong Kong-listed miner, controlled by China Minmetals, has already triggered a separate investigation by Brazil’s competition authority after a complaint from regional competitor CoreX Holding. Any EU charge sheet would force MMG to propose remedies or risk the deal being blocked, testing Europe’s stance on Chinese control of critical minerals.