Lynas Rare Earths (ASX: LYC) says repeated grid interruptions this month at its new Kalgoorlie cracking-and-leaching plant will leave a shortfall in mixed rare earth carbonate feed this quarter, constraining finished product from its Malaysian refinery.

Chile’s state-owned copper miner Codelco and SQM (NYSE: SQM), the world’s second-largest lithium producer, are close to finalizing a landmark partnership to jointly extract lithium from the Atacama salt flats.

The global competition for critical minerals has reached unprecedented levels in 2025, with major powers implementing aggressive strategies to secure supply chains essential for clean energy technologies, defense systems, and advanced electronics.