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China Launches 'Green Mining' Initiative at G-20, Defends Rare-Earth Export Controls

The move underscores China’s leverage in critical minerals despite efforts by rivals to build non‑Chinese supply chains.

Overview

  • At the South Africa summit, Beijing unveiled an international cooperation plan on green minerals with UNIDO and a group of resource‑rich developing countries.
  • Premier Li Qiang defended rare‑earth export curbs, saying shipments must be cautiously managed because of military uses.
  • The initiative lists participants such as Zimbabwe, Nigeria, Myanmar and Cambodia but includes no funding commitments or operational details.
  • The G‑20 communiqué criticized unilateral trade actions that restrict access to critical minerals, signaling broad concern over supply constraints.
  • IEA data show China controls roughly 59% of mining, 91% of refining and 94% of magnet manufacturing as the United States pursues alternative supply chains through alliances and financing.