January 2026 Critical Minerals and Metals Roundup

A series of strategic moves across mining and critical materials markets in January 2026 is accelerating supply-chain diversification and influencing prices.

Zijin Mining and Jinduicheng Molybdenum formed a joint venture and equity transfer to develop the Shapinggou molybdenum project in Anhui, bolstering domestic molybdenum capacity in China.

In the UK, Mkango, HyProMag and the University of Birmingham opened the Tyseley Rare Earth Magnet Recycling plant, advancing circular magnet supply chains, cutting dependency on single-source imports and lowering embodied carbon in magnet manufacture.

Magrathea Metals secured offtake and up to US$10 million in working capital from Wogen Resources to support Arkansas Magnesium, a proposed JV with TETRA Technologies to produce magnesium metal.

The US moved to shore up gallium and germanium supply chains in response to Chinese export curbs, while China tightened dual‑use export controls affecting Japanese access to heavy rare earths.

Copper hit record highs in early January amid strong fundamentals, trading flows and geopolitical uncertainty, and PT Vale Indonesia suspended nickel ore mining pending RKAB approval.

Policy shifts include China removing administratively set time‑of‑use electricity pricing for market participants, and Australia detailing a A$1.2 billion Critical Minerals Strategic Reserve to secure supply.