Rare earths miner targeted in suspected cyber attack following removal of Chinese investors

Exclusive by defence correspondent Andrew Greene

Posted 17m ago17 minutes ago

Northern Minerals operates the Browns Range mine, south-east of Halls Creek.(Supplied: Northern Minerals)

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An Australian company that runs a strategically crucial heavy rare earth project has been targeted in a suspected cyber attack just hours after Treasurer Jim Chalmers ordered Chinese investors be removed.

On Monday Mr Chalmers instructed Yuxio Fund and four other international companies linked to China to divest their shares in Northern Minerals which operates the Browns Range mine in Western Australia's Kimberley region.

The Australian company wants to become the first substantial producer of dysprosium — a key component used in electric vehicles — outside of China.

"The decision, based on advice from the Foreign Investment Review Board, is designed to protect our national interest and ensure compliance with our foreign investment framework," Mr Chalmers said in a statement.

Now the ABC can reveal that one day after the treasurer's announcement a suspected cybercriminal group has claimed online to have successfully stolen data from the Australian mining company.

In a message posted to a data leak site, the hacker identified as "Bian Lian" boasts of having stolen operational, strategical, financial and personal employee data from Northern Minerals Limited.

Posting on the dark web the hacker also claims to have obtained "corporate email archives" and "data on shareholders and potential investors".

The Home Affairs Minister's office said it was aware of the incident and was engaging with the company.

The Northern Minerals company has not yet responded to enquiries.