- China Backs $1.24 Billion Zambia-Tanzania Rail Upgrade for Copper Exports
Apr 2, 2026
This article first appeared on GuruFocus.
China is stepping deeper into Africa's copper logistics backbone, and the structure of this deal says a lot about control. CMOC Group Ltd. (CMCLY) and Zijin Mining Group Co. (ZIJMF) are partnering with China Civil Engineering Construction Corp. to upgrade the 1,860-kilometer Tazara railway linking Zambia's copper belt to Tanzania's Dar es Salaam port, in a project valued at $1.24 billion. CCECC will hold an 80% stake in the joint venture, while smaller 5% stakes are allocated to participants including Jiayou International Logistics Co., alongside units of the miners and COSCO Shipping Holdings Co.. The structure suggests China is not only financing infrastructure but also positioning itself to operate and control a key export route for critical minerals.
Warning! GuruFocus has detected 4 Warning Signs with NVDA. Is CMCLY fairly valued? Test your thesis with our free DCF calculator.
The timing comes as the US is trying to reshape access to African resources. Washington recently reached a minerals partnership with the Democratic Republic of Congo that gives American companies preferential access to some reserves, while backing the Lobito Corridor rail project connecting the same region to Angola's Atlantic coast. Against that backdrop, the Tazara upgrade could become a competing channel for copper and cobalt flows, particularly as CMOC and Zijin remain among the dominant exporters in Congo. The parallel development of these corridors suggests supply chains for battery materials could increasingly reflect geopolitical alignment, rather than purely cost-driven logistics.
What stands out is how the project will be run after construction. Tanzania and Zambia have granted CCECC a 30-year concession to operate the railway, with partners investing based on their stakes, including Jiayou's $62.2 million contribution. The consortium plans to upgrade infrastructure, acquire locomotives and containers, and shift mineral transport away from long-distance trucking routes. This model, blending state-backed and commercial participation, could reflect a broader shift in China's Belt and Road approach toward more commercially structured projects that still maintain strategic control over logistics networks.
View Comments
- Beijing Spends $120 Billion to Lock Down Critical Minerals Worldwide
Mar 20, 2026
China has invested over $120 billion in overseas mining and mineral processing projects since 2023, Australian think tank Climate Energy Finance (CEF) has reported. The investments primarily targeted lithium, copper, nickel and rare earths, critical minerals essential for clean energy and decarbonization technologies. However, whereas these investments have helped boost clean energy industries in developing countries, they have raised serious concerns, including debt risks.
Chinese firms are aggressively investing in overseas resource processing and infrastructure such as ports, rail and energy infrastructure, securing long-term resource access and controlling key supply chains while reducing China’s reliance on traditional suppliers. China is the global leader in processing key clean energy minerals, including 90% of rare earth refining, 90% of battery components and 60% of lithium processing.
Related: The Invisible Metals Powering a Trillion-Dollar Economy
China has a particularly strong presence in Africa’s minerals sector. Back in 2023, China’s CMOC Group, in partnership with Contemporary Amperex Technology Co. Ltd. (CATL), the world’s largest maker of EV batteries, completed the first phase of the Kisanfu cobalt project in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), one of the world’s highest-grade copper-cobalt projects. CMOC Group Limited (formerly China Molybdenum), first gained a foothold in DRC after it acquired a majority stake of the Tenke Fungurume Mine (TFM) from Freeport-McMoRan (NYSE:FCX) in 2016. In 2025, CMOC achieved a record cobalt output of approximately 117,549 tonnes, and has set a cobalt production target of 100,000 to 120,000 tonnes in 2026. CMOC is also rapidly growing its copper production, targeting 760,000 to 820,000 tonnes in 2026. The two high-grade copper-cobalt mines have helped establish CMOC Group as the world’s largest cobalt and copper producer, surpassing Glencore.
In 2023, China’s Zhejiang Huayou Cobalt commissioned a $300 million lithium processing plant at the Arcadia mine in Zimbabwe. Operated by Huayou Cobalt’s subsidiary Prospect Lithium Zimbabwe, the plant can process 4.5 million metric tons of hard rock lithium ore annually, producing approximately 450,000 metric tons of lithium concentrate. Following the success of the initial concentrator, Huayou Cobalt expanded its operations in Zimbabwe, commissioning a second $400 million plant at the Arcadia site in 2025 dedicated to producing lithium sulphate, an intermediate product for battery manufacturing. This new facility is expected to produce in excess of 50,000 metric tons of lithium sulphate annually.
Story Continues
Related: No Magnets, No Drones: How China Controls the Future of Warfare
Two weeks ago, DRC's state miner Gécamines and a Chinese consortium revamped their Sino-Congolaise des Mines (Sicomines) joint venture that operates large-scale open-pit copper and cobalt mines in Lualaba Province. The JV was initially established in 2008 as a "minerals-for-infrastructure" project where Chinese investors (68% stake) finance infrastructure such as roads and hospitals in exchange for mining rights, with DRC's Gécamines holding 32%. Under a revised deal, the Chinese partners committed to investing $7 billion in DRC infrastructure through 2040.
Meanwhile, China’s CNMC (China Nonferrous Metal Mining Company) has invested heavily in Zambia’s copper belt. Back in 1998, the company acquired the Chambishi Copper Mine in Zambia, becoming the first Chinese firm to invest in Zambia's copper assets following privatization. In 2018, it launched the Southeast Ore Body, a major copper-cobalt mine expansion project with nearly $1 billion invested. The expanded facility is designed to produce approximately 100,000 to 110,000 tonnes of copper concentrate annually. The Chambishi Copper Mine mine is noted for being one of Zambia's most technologically advanced, featuring a high level of digitalization and automation through partnerships with firms like Sandvik Mining and Rock Technology.
Other major projects by Chinese firms in Africa include Sinosteel Cam’s Lobé-Kribi Iron Ore Project in Cameroon, Chinalco’s Simandou iron projects in Guinea, Jiangxi Ganfeng Lithium’s Goulamina Lithium Project in Mali and the Kamoa-Kakula Copper Complex in DRC, a JV between China’s Zijin Mining and Canada’s Ivanhoe Mines (OTCQX:IVPAF). China now owns over 70% of the DRC's active cobalt and copper mines. Additionally, Chinese firms are moving beyond extraction to local processing, including building smelters and battery plants, such as the upcoming battery factory in Morocco by China's Gotion High-Tech with a $5.6 billion investment.
China has leaned heavily on a simple playbook in Africa: build the infrastructure, secure the resources. Deals are typically struck at the government level, backed by state financing and executed by Chinese firms, with China Exim Bank often providing the funding. In return, Beijing locks in long-term supply agreements for critical minerals. The model moves fast, avoids many of the hurdles Western companies face, and fills real infrastructure gaps across developing economies.
But the trade-offs are becoming harder to ignore. Several host countries are taking on significant debt tied to these projects, with places like Djibouti and Angola already carrying heavy external debt loads linked to Chinese financing. At the same time, the economic spillover has often fallen short of expectations. Chinese operators frequently bring in their own labor and materials, limiting local job creation and slowing technology transfer. With many of these agreements negotiated behind closed doors, questions around transparency and long-term control over national resources continue to build.
By Alex Kimani for Oilprice.com
More Top Reads From Oilprice.com
Iraq Negotiates with Iran to Reopen Vital Oil Shipping Route Oil Price Shock Forces India's Top Refiners to Suspend Fuel Credit UAE Halts Shah Gas Field After Iranian Drone Attack
Oilprice Intelligence brings you the signals before they become front-page news. This is the same expert analysis read by veteran traders and political advisors. Get it free, twice a week, and you'll always know why the market is moving before everyone else.
You get the geopolitical intelligence, the hidden inventory data, and the market whispers that move billions - and we'll send you $389 in premium energy intelligence, on us, just for subscribing. Join 400,000+ readers today. Get access immediately by clicking here.
View Comments
- Firefox Gold Welcomes Mr. Martin Rip To Its Board Of Directors
Mar 12, 2026
VANCOUVER, BC / ACCESS Newswire / March 12, 2026 / FireFox Gold Corp. (TSX.V:FFOX)(OTCQB:FFOXF) ("FireFox" or the "Company") is pleased to announce the appointment of Mr. Martin Rip, CPA, CA, to its board of directors.
Mr. Rip is a Chartered Professional Accountant (CPA, CA) with over 25 years' experience in industry and public practice providing business advice to a variety of clients, primarily in the mining sector. Most recently, Mr. Rip served as CFO of Lumina Metals Corp., Fuerte Metals Corp. and Lumina Gold Corp. (sold to CMOC in June 2025). He is also the former CFO of Anfield Gold Corp, Lumina Copper Corp., Lumina Royalty Corp. and Luminex Resources Corp. In public practice, Mr. Rip worked at Grant Thornton LLP where he served as a Senior Manager in the Assurance and Business Advisory practice. He holds a law degree from the University of Birmingham and is a member of the Chartered Professional Accountants of British Columbia and The Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales. Mr. Rip has extensive experience in financial reporting, corporate governance and internal controls compliance for public companies, as well as corporate transactions, such as mergers and acquisitions, public listings (directly or via reverse takeover), and spin-outs.
Patrick Highsmith, Chairman and Co-Founder of FireFox, commented on the addition to the team, "We are very excited that Martin has accepted our invitation to join FireFox's board. As a key leader in the Lumina group of companies, he was surrounded by discovery and transactional success. His expertise in matters of finance and the capital market is self-evident. In addition to his role as director, Martin will serve as chair of our audit committee. We look forward to the benefits of Martin's experience in our financial reporting, internal controls, and governance as we grow and develop our portfolio of assets."
Corporate Update
In association with additions to the team, FireFox also announces that it has granted 300,000 stock options at an exercise price of $0.85 to certain consultants, directors, and employees of the Company. The options were issued at a premium to the closing share price on the trading day preceding the stock option grant ($0.84). These stock options have been granted pursuant to the Company's stock option plan and will expire five years from the date of grant.
About FireFox Gold
FireFox Gold Corp is listed on the TSX Venture Stock Exchange under the ticker symbol FFOX. FireFox also trades on the OTCQB Venture Market Exchange in the US under the ticker symbol FFOXF. The Company has been exploring for gold in Finland since 2017 on a large portfolio of ground prospective for high-grade gold deposits. The delineation of multiple gold zones at the Company's 100%-held Mustajärvi Project is paving the way for the discovery of Finland's next major gold deposit.
Story Continues
Having a strong mining law and long mining tradition, Finland remains underexplored for gold. Recent exploration results in the country have highlighted its prospectivity, and FireFox maintains a portfolio of several 100%-owned gold exploration projects and one project that is the subject of an earn-in agreement with Agnico Eagle Mines Ltd. FireFox is also proud to have a Finland based CEO and technical team.
For more information, please refer to the Company's website and profile on the SEDAR+ website at www.sedarplus.ca.
On behalf of the Board of Directors,
"Carl Löfberg"
Chief Executive Officer
CONTACT:
FireFox Gold Corp.
Email: info@firefoxgold.com
Telephone: +1-778-938-1994
Neither the TSXV nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSXV) accept responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of the content of this release.
Forward Looking Statements
The information herein contains forward looking statements that are subject to a number of known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause actual results to differ materially from those anticipated in our forward-looking statements. Factors that could cause such differences include changes in world commodity markets, equity markets, the extent of work stoppage and economic impacts that may result from illness, extreme weather, changes in government and changes to regulations affecting the mining industry. Although we believe the expectations reflected in our forward-looking statements are reasonable, results may vary.
The forward-looking statements contained herein represent the expectations of FireFox as of the date of dissemination and, accordingly, are subject to change after such date. Readers should not place undue importance on forward-looking statements and should not rely upon this information as of any other date. FireFox does not undertake to update this information at any particular time except as required in accordance with applicable laws.
SOURCE: FireFox Gold Corp
View the original press release on ACCESS Newswire
View Comments
- Brazil Court Ruling Puts Equinox Gold Billion Dollar Sale In Question
Mar 8, 2026
Find winning stocks in any market cycle. Join 7 million investors using Simply Wall St's investing ideas for FREE.
A Brazilian court has blocked Equinox Gold's planned transfer of mineral rights tied to its US$1b sale of gold mines to China's CMOC Group. The decision stems from a legal challenge alleging a contract breach, putting the structure of the transaction under scrutiny. The ruling affects Equinox Gold's relationship with a state run partner in Brazil and may influence how and when the asset sale can proceed.
For investors tracking Equinox Gold (TSX:EQX), the court action comes after a period of strong share price gains, with the stock up 19.8% year to date and 136.8% over the past year, closing at CA$22.57. The legal setback follows a 13.1% return over the past month, while the stock has seen an 11.8% decline over the last week, highlighting how quickly sentiment can change around legal and transaction headlines.
The blocked mineral rights transfer raises questions around timing, deal terms and the role of Equinox Gold's Brazilian partner. These factors could influence how management approaches future divestments and partnerships. Investors may focus on any updates from company disclosures or court proceedings to gauge potential impacts on cash flows from the planned US$1b sale and on Equinox Gold's broader international dealmaking approach.
Stay updated on the most important news stories for Equinox Gold by adding it to your watchlist or portfolio. Alternatively, explore our Community to discover new perspectives on Equinox Gold.TSX:EQX 1-Year Stock Price Chart
Is Equinox Gold's balance sheet strong enough for future acquisitions? Dive into our detailed financial health analysis.
This ruling directly affects how and when Equinox Gold can receive proceeds from the US$1b asset sale, since mineral rights are central to transferring control of the mines to CMOC. A blocked transfer can delay closing, change payment timing, or even force renegotiation of terms, which matters if you were expecting those funds to support debt reduction, project spending, or the new share repurchase program. The case also involves a state run partner, so investors have to consider the potential for longer legal timelines in Brazil and the possibility of contract specific remedies such as penalties, revised lease terms, or additional approval steps. At the same time, Equinox Gold has kept its 2026 production guidance at 700,000 to 800,000 ounces, which suggests current operations and planned output are still expected to run under existing arrangements while the dispute plays out. The key questions now are how long the injunction lasts, whether the structure of the CMOC transaction needs to change, and how any revised schedule for cash receipts lines up with Equinox Gold's capital plans, including funding the normal course issuer bid and ongoing project work in Canada and elsewhere.
Story Continues
How This Fits Into The Equinox Gold Narrative
The blocked transfer sits within the existing narrative of portfolio rationalization and asset divestitures. The US$1b sale, if completed, could still support Equinox Gold's focus on higher priority projects and potential capital returns such as the announced buyback. The legal dispute highlights the regulatory and contractual risks already raised in the narrative, particularly around Brazilian assets, and could challenge assumptions about how smoothly asset sales convert into cash that can be recycled into growth projects. The current narrative focuses heavily on production ramp ups at Greenstone and Valentine and on broader gold market conditions, while this specific contract dispute and its timing risks may not be fully captured in longer term expectations for cash flow availability.
Knowing what a company is worth starts with understanding its story. Check out one of the top narratives in the Simply Wall St Community for Equinox Gold to help decide what it's worth to you.
The Risks and Rewards Investors Should Consider
⚠️ The Brazilian court decision adds legal and regulatory uncertainty around an important US$1b asset sale, and could result in delays, altered terms, or additional obligations to the state run partner. ⚠️ Analysts have flagged two key risks for Equinox Gold, including past shareholder dilution and legal disputes at certain assets, which together point to execution and jurisdictional challenges that investors may want to track closely. 🎁 Analysts also highlight four rewards, including that Equinox Gold is assessed as trading at good value relative to peers, with expectations for earnings growth and a view that the shares trade below some fair value estimates. 🎁 The company has announced a normal course issuer bid to repurchase up to 39,414,095 shares, using existing cash and its credit facility, which signals management's willingness to return capital while it continues to progress core projects.
What To Watch Going Forward
From here, you may want to watch for updates from Brazilian courts and from Equinox Gold on any revised timeline or terms for the CMOC transaction, as well as disclosures on potential financial commitments to the state run partner. Monitor whether management adjusts capital plans, including the size or pace of the buyback, in response to any delay in receiving sale proceeds. It can also be useful to track how production from Brazil features in future guidance and whether the company comments on possible impacts to cash flow or project sequencing. Finally, keep an eye on upcoming events like the PDAC presentation for any added color on how this legal process fits alongside ongoing operations in Canada and other regions.
To ensure you're always in the loop on how the latest news impacts the investment narrative for Equinox Gold, head to the community page for Equinox Gold to never miss an update on the top community narratives.
This article by Simply Wall St is general in nature. We provide commentary based on historical data and analyst forecasts only using an unbiased methodology and our articles are not intended to be financial advice. It does not constitute a recommendation to buy or sell any stock, and does not take account of your objectives, or your financial situation. We aim to bring you long-term focused analysis driven by fundamental data. Note that our analysis may not factor in the latest price-sensitive company announcements or qualitative material. Simply Wall St has no position in any stocks mentioned.
Companies discussed in this article include EQX.TO.
Have feedback on this article? Concerned about the content? Get in touch with us directly. Alternatively, email editorial-team@simplywallst.com
View Comments
- Brazil Court Ruling Tests Equinox Gold Deal Timing And Valuation Story
Mar 5, 2026
Never miss an important update on your stock portfolio and cut through the noise. Over 7 million investors trust Simply Wall St to stay informed where it matters for FREE.
A Brazilian court suspends the transfer of key Bahian gold mine mineral rights involved in Equinox Gold's roughly US$1 billion sale to CMOC Group. State-owned miner CBPM challenges the deal, alleging breach of leasing contract terms tied to Bahia mineral resources. Court proceedings are scheduled for late March, adding regulatory uncertainty around TSX:EQX operations in Brazil.
Equinox Gold, listed as TSX:EQX, is a mid-tier gold producer with assets across the Americas, and Brazil is an important part of its footprint. The planned sale of these Bahian assets to CMOC Group is a large transaction for the company, and the court decision highlights contract and permitting risk in Brazilian mining. For you as an investor, it is a reminder that jurisdictional issues can influence how quickly companies execute on portfolio plans.
In the near term, attention is expected to focus on how the legal process in Bahia progresses and what it means for the timing and structure of the CMOC transaction. You may want to watch for company updates on any potential changes to deal terms, financial impact disclosures, and whether Equinox comments on alternative options for these assets if the dispute continues.
Stay updated on the most important news stories for Equinox Gold by adding it to your watchlist or portfolio. Alternatively, explore our Community to discover new perspectives on Equinox Gold.TSX:EQX 1-Year Stock Price Chart
Is Equinox Gold's balance sheet strong enough for future acquisitions? Dive into our detailed financial health analysis.
Quick Assessment
✅ Price vs Analyst Target: At CA$23.37, Equinox Gold trades about 17% below the CA$28.15 analyst price target. ✅ Simply Wall St Valuation: Shares are described as trading 47.1% below the platform's estimated fair value. ✅ Recent Momentum: The 30 day return of roughly 20.7% suggests the stock has recently been strong despite the legal headlines.
There is only one way to know the right time to buy, sell or hold Equinox Gold. Head to Simply Wall St's company report for the latest analysis of Equinox Gold's fair value.
Key Considerations
📊 The court decision questions how and when Equinox can crystallize value from its Brazilian assets in the roughly US$1b CMOC deal. 📊 Monitor any updates to the transaction structure and timing guidance, as well as any quantified impact on future revenue or earnings expectations. ⚠️ Recent shareholder dilution and the new legal challenge both highlight execution and capital structure risk that you may want to factor into position sizing.
Story Continues
Dig Deeper
For the full picture, including more risks and potential rewards, check out the complete Equinox Gold analysis. You can also visit the community page for Equinox Gold to see how other investors believe this latest news may affect the company’s narrative.
This article by Simply Wall St is general in nature. We provide commentary based on historical data and analyst forecasts only using an unbiased methodology and our articles are not intended to be financial advice. It does not constitute a recommendation to buy or sell any stock, and does not take account of your objectives, or your financial situation. We aim to bring you long-term focused analysis driven by fundamental data. Note that our analysis may not factor in the latest price-sensitive company announcements or qualitative material. Simply Wall St has no position in any stocks mentioned.
Companies discussed in this article include EQX.TO.
Have feedback on this article? Concerned about the content? Get in touch with us directly. Alternatively, email editorial-team@simplywallst.com
View Comments
- Correction: Market Chatter: Equinox Gold's $1 Billion Brazil Gold Deal Faces Court Block Over Mineral Rights
Mar 4, 2026
(Corrects the reporting day in the first paragraph.) Equinox Gold (EQX) said a Brazilian court ha
PREMIUM
Upgrade to read this MT Newswires article and get so much more.
A Silver or Gold subscription plan is required to access premium news articles.
Upgrade
Already have a subscription? Sign in
- Market Chatter: Equinox Gold's $1 Billion Brazil Gold Deal Faces Court Block Over Mineral Rights
Mar 4, 2026
Equinox Gold (EQX) said a Brazilian court has halted the transfer of mineral rights tied to its $1 b
PREMIUM
Upgrade to read this MT Newswires article and get so much more.
A Silver or Gold subscription plan is required to access premium news articles.
Upgrade
Already have a subscription? Sign in
- Brazil court blocks Equinox Gold mineral rights transfer to CMOC
Mar 3, 2026
BRASILIA, March 3 (Reuters) - A Brazilian court on Tuesday blocked Canadian firm Equinox Gold from transferring mineral rights for gold mines it sold in the Latin American country to Chinese metals miner and processor CMOC Group, according to a court decision.
Equinox Gold concluded the sale of gold assets in Brazil to CMOC in a $1 billion deal, earlier this year.
The judge blocked the transfer of rights for assets located in the northeastern Bahia state. The decision came following complaints from local state-run firm CBPM, which leases these mineral assets and said the deal breaks the leasing contract.
The press office of CMOC Group in Brazil and Equinox Gold did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
CBPM's president Henrique Carballal said in a statement the decision underscores "the irregularity in the negotiation of a mineral asset belonging to the people of Bahia state."
(Reporting by Ricardo Brito in Brasilia; additional reporting and writing by Andre Romani in Sao Paulo, Editing by Natalia Siniawski and Iñigo Alexander)
- China Is Snapping Up Overseas Assets Again From Puma to Metals
Feb 13, 2026
(Bloomberg) -- After Beijing slammed them shut about a decade ago, the gates have flung open again for Chinese firms to go on overseas acquisition sprees.
In January alone, the volume of outbound mergers and acquisitions from Greater China approached $12 billion, the most for the first month of a year since 2017. The shopping list included high-profile names like German sports brand Puma SE and Canadian miner Allied Gold Corp.
Most Read from Bloomberg
Mamdani’s Grocery Plan Takes Shape In Economic Policy Shift The Best Tactics for Tackling Speeders NY Private School Startup Seeks Edge by Giving 42% Fee Discount NJ Transit Service Between Trenton and New York City Resumes New York Faces Slippery Evening Commute as Storm Moves in Fast
The turnaround is gathering momentum after a prolonged lull that began in the mid to late 2010s, when China capped outbound investment to rein in exuberant spending. One particularly high-profile case was HNA Group Co., which went on a debt-fueled international binge into names such as Hilton Worldwide Holdings Inc. and Deutsche Bank AG before collapsing.
“We have seen a pickup in outbound M&A interest from China,” said Richard Griffiths, BNP Paribas SA’s head of M&A in Asia Pacific. “Many new situations are being evaluated at the moment and we expect more significant deals to be announced in 2026.”
Reasons for the shift include heightened competition and fewer opportunities at home, as well as renewed confidence and financial strength as local brands grow and Beijing gives its blessing to pursue strategic assets and M&A in key industries. Hurdles such as trade barriers still need to be negotiated though as some countries are more resistant and wary of Chinese investment.
“We expect to see more Chinese companies buying assets overseas in markets with lower regulatory hurdles and industries that are less sensitive, including consumer and retail,” said Nancy Zheng, a partner at Bain & Co. in Shanghai. Other countries in Asia, Canada, some European markets and Latin America have welcomed Chinese buyers, she said.
China has significant control over Chile’s electricity market, for example, with China Southern Power Grid Corp. and State Grid Corp. of China both owning stakes in major power companies. China Southern Power has been trying to increase its 28% stake in Transelec SA in a $4 billion deal, people familiar with the matter have said, though a final agreement hasn’t yet been reached.
On the consumer and retail side, Chinese market leader Luckin Coffee Inc., which has leapfrogged Starbucks Corp. at home, is considering acquisitions including Nestle SA’s Blue Bottle Coffee to elevate its international profile and expand in the premium coffee segment. The chain and its private equity owner Centurium Capital also contemplated a bid for Coca-Cola Co.’s Costa Coffee.
Story Continues
HSG, formerly Sequoia Capital China, is among a handful of bidders for Leica Camera AG, the German firm owned by Austrian billionaire Andreas Kaufmann and Blackstone Inc. Last year, HSG acquired Italian sneaker maker Golden Goose, as well as a majority stake in audio equipment maker Marshall Group AB. And FountainVest Partners bought a stake in Eurogroup Laminations SpA.
“Relatively better growth rates and consumer sentiment in markets outside of China over the past 18 months are making outbound M&A a more attractive proposition,” BNP’s Griffiths said.
A strong stock market is giving corporate boards a confidence lift. Hong Kong’s Hang Seng Index rallied 28% in 2025 and 18% in 2024, and has pushed on in the 2026, hitting a four-and-half-year high in January. Meanwhile, the CSI 300 Index in mainland China has climbed 20% over the past 12 months.
As China Southern Power’s Chilean adventure shows, the appetite for overseas expansion reaches into sensitive areas too. That can cause complications, such as with Hong Kong tycoon Li Ka-shing’s attempt to sell CK Hutchison Holdings Ltd. ports in the Panama Canal and elsewhere. A sticking point is the role China Cosco Shipping Corp., the country’s biggest shipping company, might play.
Elsewhere in the Americas, Aluminum Corp. of China is acquiring a controlling interest in Cia. Brasileira de Alumínio, in a deal that also involves Rio Tinto Group. In the race to secure critical metals, CMOC Group recently acquired the Brazilian operations of Equinox Gold Corp., while Jiangxi Copper Co. agreed to buy miner SolGold Plc. Both are billion-dollar deals. There’s also hefty investment by electric-vehicle makers like BYD Co. and battery manufacturer Contemporary Amperex Technology Co. Ltd. in plants overseas.
“The China market is highly competitive, driving innovation and cost competitiveness which is positioning China companies well to move overseas,” Griffiths said. “Europe is of particular interest,” he added.
Outbound deals in regions such as Europe and Southeast Asia will strengthen Chinese supply chains and enhance companies’ competitiveness, according to Matthew Phillips, China financial services industry leader at PwC.
“Private companies are often sector leaders in the China market whose competitive edge has been honed and they have reached the scale and developed the capabilities they need to build their businesses in global markets,” Phillips said. “Some cases have outgrown their home market.”
Another area getting investors’ pulses racing is the fast-growing world of data centers and related infrastructure. DayOne Data Centers Ltd., which is backed by China’s GDS Holdings Ltd., is investing in facilities in places such as Southeast Asia and planning an initial public offering in the US. Elsewhere in tech, Tencent Holdings Ltd. has ramped up M&A particularly in Europe in recent years.
“We’re operating in a constructive M&A environment, and often the highly dynamic global backdrop can be a catalyst for cross-border activity,” said Richard Wong, head of APAC M&A at Morgan Stanley. “Boards and management teams are being proactive about advancing strategic priorities, and those ingredients together are supporting increased deal flow.”
Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek
UPS’s Missteps Have Made the Company’s Road Ahead Less Certain Drug Cartels Are Shifting Their Money Laundering to Crypto. Cops Can’t Keep Up Fibermaxxing Is a Diet Trend Even Nutritionists Can Love The Making of MAHA’s Biohacking King Unaffordable Housing Impacts How Americans Consume, Work and Invest
©2026 Bloomberg L.P.
View Comments
- Ameerex Confirms Major Heavy Rare Earth Mineralization in Brazil JV Across the Goiás-Araxá-Catalão Belt - Brazil Ranking Second to China by Estimated REE Resources
Feb 6, 2026
ATLANTA, GA and DOHA, QATAR / ACCESS Newswire / February 6, 2026 / Ameerex Corporation (OTC:HIRU) ("Ameerex" or the "Company ) today confirmed major heavy rare earth element (HREE) mineralization within its Brazil joint venture with Patagonia Lithium Ltd (ASX: PL3), materially expanding the scope of a partnership previously centered on lithium and positioning the project within a globally significant critical minerals belt. There are 11 targets that have been identified for augur and air-core drilling.
The studies for the Goiás areas were based on the ratio between the Araxá carbonatite, silicate rocks and fenitisation. Catalão I carbonatite is correlated to the same geological event as the Araxá carbonatite.
The Company's rare earth concessions are located in Goiás, within the Goiás-Araxá-Catalão belt, a mineral district recognized for long-standing niobium and rare earth production. The project area lies directly adjacent to the CMOC operating niobium phosphate mine, providing clear validation of regional prospectivity, continuity of mineralization, and the presence of established mining infrastructure.Figure 1. Total REE results for the road and channel samples analysed, with the sedimentary niobium mine operated by CMOC China. A sample off the concession (SE) recorded 1898ppm total REE.·Hiru Corp.
Heavy Rare Earth mineralization Confirmed
Exploration work completed by the joint venture partner Patagonia Lithium Ltd (ASX:PL3) has confirmed via satellite SW-IR surveys and soil and rock chip sampling rare earth mineralization dominated by heavy and high-value rare earth elements, including:
Holmium (Ho) - used in advanced magnets, laser systems, and nuclear-related applications. The latest (Feb 6, 26) holmium oxide prices show China‑based spot material trading around the high‑60s USD/kg range, with Northeast Asia indices slightly higher. The market size in 2024 was estimated at US $360 million. Holmium is extracted from Monazites (phosphates), Bastnäsite (fluoro carbonates) and from Ion‑adsorption clays. Because holmium sits in the middle of the heavy REE group, its separation requires multiple solvent‑extraction stages after the bulk REE concentrate is produced. Ekosolve™ the partner to Patagonia Lithium has significant Solvent extraction expertise.
Lutetium (Lu) - among the rarest, rare earth elements, used in petroleum refining catalysts, medical imaging, and high-performance optics. Data shows lutetium oxide trading in the US $700-$735/kg range, with China‑delivered 99.99% material most recently quoted at US $731.58/kg (source: Business anlytiq). The global market size is estimated at US $13.5 Billion and expected to reach $22,5 billion by 2033. Lutetium oxide alone is a much smaller subset (hundreds of millions USD), but the Lu‑177 medical isotope segment is exploding and dominates value growth. Lutetium has an extremely low natural abundance. Lutetium is not mined directly; it is a fractional output of HREE circuits.
Story Continues
Yttrium (Y) - a core material for advanced ceramics, medical technologies, and specialized manufacturing. Yttrium prices have exploded due to China's 2025 export controls, with current spot levels sitting in the USD 120-320/kg range for yttrium oxide, depending on purity and contract terms. (source: ecofinagency.com). Yttrium is always extracted as part of the heavy rare‑earth element (HREE) fraction from REE‑bearing ores. The process is Ore → Concentrate → Mixed REE Solution → Solvent Extraction → Yttrium Compound → Calcination → Y₂O₃.
Channel and regolith sampling returned elevated total rare earth values, supporting the presence of a large-scale heavy rare earth mineralized footprint and warranting accelerated technical follow-up. The concessions 830164 and 830165 cover 30 sq km.
Geological Context and Global Scale
The mineralization is interpreted to be associated with carbonatite-related and metasomatic alteration characteristic of central Brazil. The Goiás-Araxá-Catalão belt is widely recognized by geologists as the largest continuous heavy rare earth-bearing belt outside China, and second globally by regional scale and continuity, based on mapped alteration footprint and mineralized trend length.
The proximity of the Company's concessions to active production (5km from the Araxa REE centre) further validates the geological model and underscores the relevance of the belt within global rare earth supply dynamics.
Path Forward
The joint venture is advancing toward:
Targeted auger and air-core drilling across multiple priority anomalies Expanded surface sampling and geophysics surveys Aircore or RC drilling to determine lithological structures especially ionic clays Preliminary metallurgical characterization to assess solvent extraction recovery pathways
These programs are designed to progressively de-risk the asset while maintaining a disciplined, staged advancement strategy.
Strategic Positioning
Ameerex believes that the scale, continuity, and heavy rare earth composition of the Goiás-Araxá-Catalão belt support engagement with industrial groups partners and institutional investment firms seeking long-term access to strategic rare earth supply and participation in the development of non-China critical-minerals production.
About Patagonia Lithium Ltd
Patagonia Lithium Ltd (ASX: PL3) is an exploration company with lithium brine projects in Argentina and a growing portfolio of mineral exploration concessions in Brazil, including rare earth and specialty metals such as Niobium.
About Ameerex Corporation
Ameerex Corporation is a U.S.-listed company advancing natural resource assets across critical minerals and energy through strategic partnerships and joint ventures.
Investor Relations
Ameerex Corporation - Doha, Qatar
3379 Peachtree Road NE, Suite 700
Atlanta, GA 30326
Email: info@ameerex.com
Phone: +1 775-312-2773
Corporate Communications
https://x.com/thehirucorp
OTC Markets
https://www.otcmarkets.com/stock/HIRU
SOURCE: Hiru Corp.
View the original press release on ACCESS Newswire
View Comments
