Billionaire Gina Rinehart Stakes Another Critical Minerals Claim

Gina Rinehart, Australia’s wealthiest individual, has recently expanded her investment portfolio through several strategic acquisitions, focusing on the mining sector, specifically in critical minerals. As the Executive Chairman of Hancock Prospecting Pty Ltd., Rinehart has driven her company’s interest in global mining projects, leveraging opportunities in South America and rare earth elements to diversify away from traditional iron ore.

In a notable expansion into South America, Hancock Prospecting entered into a significant agreement with Titan Minerals Ltd. (ASX: TTM). The deal, announced on April 17, 2024, involves an investment of up to $120 million in drilling and exploration at the Linderos copper-gold project in Ecuador. Initially, Hancock will pay $2 million for a 5% stake in the project, with the potential to scale up to an 80% ownership as exploration progresses.

This move comes on the heels of another major acquisition in Ecuador where Hancock purchased a 49% stake in a state-owned mining company for $120 million in March 2024. This acquisition included six mining concessions in northern Ecuador, illustrating Rinehart’s aggressive approach to expanding her mining interests in regions with rich mineral reserves.

Moreover, Rinehart has significantly increased her stakes in the rare earths market, a strategic move reflecting global shifts in the supply chains for these critical minerals. Hancock Prospecting recently acquired a nearly 6% stake in Lynas Rare Earths Ltd. (ASX: LYC), a leading non-Chinese rare earths developer. This purchase was announced in mid-April 2024 and is part of a broader strategy to influence the rare earths market, which is crucial for modern technologies such as electric vehicles and wind turbines.

Additionally, Rinehart’s Hancock Prospecting bought a 5.3% stake in MP Materials Corp. (NYSE: MP), another significant player in the rare earths sector, based in the United States. This transaction was part of a series of acquisitions in the same week and followed the stalled merger discussions between Lynas and MP Materials in February 2024.

Rinehart’s investments are not confined to new projects; she has also been increasing her holdings in existing ventures. Notably, her firm supported the Arafura Rare Earths Limited‘s (ASX: ARU) project in Australia’s Northern Territory, which received a substantial government backing of A$840 million in grants and loans last month. This project is aligned with the Australian government’s initiative to boost national critical minerals supply.

Gina Rinehart’s recent activities underscore her transition from a dominant iron ore mogul to a pivotal figure in the critical minerals sector. Her actions are setting the stage for Australia and its allies to diminish their reliance on China, fostering a more diversified and secure global supply chain. With her extensive resources and strategic acumen, Rinehart is not just investing in minerals; she’s investing in the future stability and security of technology and renewable energy resources worldwide. As the world pivots towards a more sustainable and politically neutral resource base, Rinehart’s role will likely be viewed as both visionary and vital.