Northern Minerals seeks to delay AGM after referring Chinese meddling concerns to FIRB

Heavy rare earths hopeful Northern Minerals wants to postpone its annual general meeting on suspicion Chinese investors have defied Treasurer Jim Chalmers’ orders to sell their shares.

Northern Minerals, which is developing the Browns Range project in the East Kimberley region, has referred its evidence to the Foreign Investment Review Board, marking the latest chapter in a long-running saga fuelled by geopolitical tensions.

The United States and Australia are looking to break China’s supply chain stranglehold on rare earths.

“Given FIRB’s consideration of the referral may not be completed by November 30 . . . Northern Minerals is today commencing proceedings in the Supreme Court of New South Wales to defer the AGM,” Northern Minerals executive chair Adam Handley said on Friday.

The AG