Escalating trade tensions, changing US tariff policies and increased geopolitical risk have reshaped export strategies and investor sentiment, in addition to demand for crucial minerals.
Against this backdrop, Australian miners continued to approve new projects, secure government subsidies and financing support, announce major capital expenditure programs and make strategic moves into the public markets.
Below is a look back at the Investing News Network’s most read Australian mining company news stories from 2025.
1. China issues a ban on the import of BHP iron ore
Publish date: October 6, 2025
Trade tensions between the US and China impacted many parts of the commodities sector in 2025.
In October, Chinese iron ore buyer China Mineral Resources Group reportedly ordered major steel producers and traders to pause all purchases of new iron ores. BHP (ASX:BHP,NYSE:BHP,LSE:BHP) loads due to price disputes.
Australia is China’s largest iron ore supplier and BHP is among Australia’s largest iron ore exporters, alongside Rio Tinto (ASX:RIO,NYSE:RIO,LSE:RIO) and Fortescue (ASX:FMG,OTCQX:FSUMF).
Bloomberg quoted Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese as saying the ban was “disappointing”, underscoring that smooth Australian ore exports to China make a crucial contribution to both countries’ economies.
“We want to make sure the markets are functioning well – we have seen these problems in the past,” he said. “These measures are always disappointing, but let’s hope they are certainly short-lived. Sometimes, when people negotiate the price, these things will happen. But I want this to be resolved quickly.”
BHP has not issued a statement on the matter.
2. BHP unveils cohort for Xplor 2025 Critical Minerals Program
Publication date: January 6, 2025
BHP also made headlines in January when it unveiled the cohort for its Xplor 2025 Critical Minerals Program, now in its third edition.
The program aims to provide grants to companies that accelerate projects in copper and other critical metals. This year, eight mining companies were chosen by BHP. Many of them are focused on copper, and all of them are focused on critical metals needed for electrification.
All eight companies will receive an equity-free grant of up to US$500,000 and access to a network of BHP and external industry experts to build and accelerate their exploration concepts.
5. Arafura’s Nolan’s Rare Earths project could get AU$100 million from Export Finance Australia Publication date: August 13, 2025 Rare earths were a hot topic in 2025 and in August Arafura Rare Earths (ASX:ARU,OTC Pink:ARAFF) received a non-binding letter of interest from Export Finance Australia (EFA). EFA’s letter related to a potential investment of approximately AU$100 million in its Nolans project. Nolans is considered by Arafura to be ‘the most advanced ore-to-oxide rare earths project in the world’. The company’s goal is to support the development of safe and reliable supply chains with key international partners. The company said at the time that Nolans is the only NdPr-focused project in Australia to receive full environmental permits for rare earth mining, enrichment, extraction and separation. Arafura also noted that Nolans’ development aligns with the Australian Government’s Critical Minerals Strategy, as well as the more recently announced G7 Critical Minerals Action Plan. As of August, total public funding for the project was AU$1 billion.
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Securities Disclosure: I, Gabrielle de la Cruz, have no direct investment interest in any company mentioned in this article.
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