Australia aims to boost critical minerals processing to hedge against China’s dominance

Resources minister warns concentration of the market that includes rare earths in China poses a strategic challenge

• Follow our Australia news live blog for the latest updates
• Get our morning and afternoon news emails, free app or daily news podcast

Australia needs to develop processing capabilities that would hedge against China's dominant position over minerals crucial to clean energy and defence technologies, the resources minister, Madeleine King, said on Thursday.

Speaking to a Darwin audience that included key allies and trading partners, King said the concentration of the critical minerals market in China posed a strategic challenge to Australia.

Sign up for Guardian Australia's free morning and afternoon email newsletters for your daily news roundup