Chinese overseas mining acquisitions have surged to their highest level in more than a decade, raising alarms in Washington and among US allies seeking to counter China’s dominance over critical minerals.
According to newly compiled data from S&P Global and Mergermarket, there were 10 Chinese mining deals valued at more than $100 million each in 2024—the most since 2013. Analysts reported to Australia Business Review that the trend reflects Beijing’s aggressive push to lock up global raw material supply ahead of mounting geopolitical resistance.
Separate research from the Griffith Asia Institute confirmed that 2024 was the most active year for Chinese mining investment and construction abroad in more than a decade. This momentum appears to have carried into 2025. In April, China’s Baiyin Nonferrous Group acquired a copper and gold mine in Brazil for $420 million. In June, Zijin Mining announced a $1.2 billion acquisition of a gold mine in Kazakhstan, AFR reported.
These moves come as the US and allied nations, including Australia, seek to reduce their dependence on China for materials essential to clean energy and advanced manufacturing, including lithium, cobalt, rare earth elements, and other battery metals.
The Trump administration, in its second term, has prioritized securing America’s mineral independence under a broader agenda of expanding US natural resource development. President Trump’s recently signed One Big Beautiful Bill includes major investments in domestic mining, exploration, and processing infrastructure, as well as tax incentives for companies developing critical mineral supply chains within the US and allied countries.
China doesn’t share either environmental or labor standards that are found in the US. Many factory workers in China endure 12-hour shifts, 6–7 days a week, with unpaid overtime.
The communist country is exploiting weak governance in developing countries to undercut the West and lock up global resources.
This is the same tactic that China used on Alaska under the weak leadership of Gov. Bill Walker. China attempted to gain ownership and influence over the Alaska LNG project during Walker’s administration, as part of a broader effort by Beijing to secure long-term energy supplies and strategic infrastructure access in North America in its Belt and Road Initiative.
Just this month, Texas has passed a law prohibiting foreign ownership of land in the state. Alaska has yet to pass such a law.
China, which consumes more minerals than any other nation, dominates the refining and processing of many critical materials but relies heavily on imports for raw supply. Through initiatives tied to its Belt and Road Initiative, Chinese state-backed companies have used loans, infrastructure projects, and joint ventures to expand their control of mines and energy projects across Africa, South America, and Central Asia.
Analysts say the latest wave of acquisitions is part of a deliberate strategy to move quickly before Western restrictions tighten. “Chinese groups believe they have a near-term window,” said Michael Scherb of Appian Capital Advisory. “They’re trying to get a lot of M&A done before geopolitics make it impossible.”
That strategy includes acquiring assets in riskier regions where Western firms may hesitate to operate. China’s willingness to take long-term views and accept less favorable terms has given it an edge, especially in countries where governments are nationalizing Western assets or demanding higher royalties.
China subcontract’s for mining companies which would/could have landed them in the middle of Bristol Bay head waters (Pebble).
Do you have even a shred of evidence to back your latest false claim, like which Chinese backed companies have any interest in any claim dealing with Pebble? You’ve already been repeatedly discredited with your claims about the world’s largest open pit mine that you also claimed would be a dredge mine. A suppose a better question might be which Chinese interest funds your misinformation and why you are so intent on carrying their water.
Legislators: here’s your cue. Which one of you will pass legislation against foreign ownership of Alaska’s lands and resources?
In a demented sort of way, we really should thank the pedophile Lt. Governor, Byron Mallot, for screwing up the disgraced Bill Walker’s governorship. Had it not been for that horrible revelation, Alaska may well be constructing a liquid natural gas pipeline now under Chinese ownership. Shay-shay-nee, Byron.
Well covered & written truisms. Any serious mining investor has seen these developments these last several years. It is fair also to accept that resources & energy are the geo-political struggle amidst wars & conflict. Environmentalist can and have been pawns of America’s & western adversaries —- for YeARS. Substantial evidence exists tgat Occidental adversaries fund environmentalist activity as part of their war against the West. And it has been very successful. Too, the EV rage, was successful for weak-minded environmentalists who weee uN-intellectually capable of seeing the bigger picture. Though what I am asserting here is opinion, it doesn’t take a Gemini’s to study the facts, does it?
This is why I don’t want mines in Alaska. We can’t control who buys the stock… then we only get 3% of the mineral revenue…after the holding companies write off expenses…
Donlin and Pebble Mines are some really bad ideas…
Because you support zero or limited environmental protections and slave labor you are opposed to mines in Alaska? Because you support Chinese Communists who don’t care about the environment or worker protections you would rather have them buy mines all over the world and degrade those environments and humans than to have mines in Alaska that follow strict environmental and labor laws to supply the minerals that are critical and humanity relies upon? Seems like horrible reasons to be against mining Alaska to me, seems like reasons to support mines in Alaska to me.
What kind of world should we live in though? A multi-polar world order? Or the other one?
I see the devil is so active today, but wars give him the greatest harvest of human souls. Now, it doesn’t mean we shouldn’t fight and defend this nation, but we should be saved spiritually.