Acknowledged Jogo, but if US OPIC is considering committing...

Acknowledged Jogo, but if US OPIC is considering committing funds to PEK, albiet mining in Africa, I cannot see that OPIC (US) would not be seeking equivalent commitment from Australian Government, and similarly even the UK government given that processing facility and potential downstream manufacturing is geared to Teeside. Maybe a three-way contribution to secure supply to defence industries. Long shot but woud be a positive outcome...

From AFR also early last month:

The Morrison government is pulling out all stops to make cheap money available for rare earths and other critical minerals projects as it works with the United States on ways to reduce China’s near stranglehold on supply.

The government will set up a dedicated office within the Department of Industry as it looks to secure critical minerals projects in Australia with an emphasis on those strategically important in defence.

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Defence Minister Linda Reynolds said the government's moves would "help deliver the capability that keeps Australia safe".

The government will make projects that boost mining and processing of rare earths and other key ingredients in military technology eligible for financial support through Export Finance Australia, including the Defence Export Facility.

The government is also tweaking rules around the much-maligned $5 billion Northern Australian Infrastructure Facility so the granting of its low-interest loans does not exclude projects from additional taxpayer-funded support.