Magnetic rare earths are used in the production of magnets found in mobile phones.
Barn Images/Flickr
The magnetic group of rare earths, used in the production of powerful magnets, will be a driver for the market into the future.
Graphite can be converted into synthetic diamonds used in manufacturing.
Yves Herman/Reuters
Australia needs to move beyond mining graphite and invest in processes that convert it into synthetic diamonds and use it to create carbon fibres.
Lithium is used in Tesla Energy batteries for businesses and utility companies.
Patrick Fallon/ Reuters
If Australia investments in technology to recycle and lease lithium, it could capitalise on its increasing use in batteries.
Haulage truck at the Rio Tinto West Angelas iron ore mine in the Pilbara region of West Australia.
ALAN PORRITT/AAP
Even if the price of iron ore remains low, Australia is still well placed to benefit from this resource in the future.
A slowdown in mining has hit the industrial construction sector hard.
AAP/Paul Miller
The industrial construction sector will have to cut costs and focus on smaller projects due to a slowdown in mining construction.
Crowd pleaser.
PA / PA Wire
The chancellor’s strategy has been to create an impression of quietly assured competence. The result? Rather bland, but the surprise sugary drinks tax will go down well with the public.
The economic uncertainty index shows there is still a need for strong policy responses to events that shock the economy.
JUSTIN LANE/EPA
The Reserve Bank of Australia has created a new index for uncertainty in the Australian economy based on news, financial indicators and economic variables.
The Malcolm Turnbull-led government will have to combat a gloomy Australian economic forecast in this year’s election.
AAP/Mick Tsikas
The Coalition government will retain power if it can convince both business and voters it understands Australia’s economic challenges.
South Africa’s Jacob Zuma is president of the country as well as the African National Congress. He is under pressure on all fronts.
Reuters/Siphiwe Sibeko
It is unlikely President Zuma will announce a structural changes in his State of the Nation Address. This, despite education being in dire need of fundamental restructuring and an economy in decline.
Much is expected of South African President Jacob Zuma when he delivers his 2016 State of the Nation Address.
Reuters/Sumaya Hisham
The general loss of faith in the economy is the most important issue President Zuma must address. More radical social and economic transformation, with emphasis on land reform will be most critical.
Was federal treasurer Scott Morrison right about falling government expenditure?
AAP Image/Mick Tsikas
Federal treasurer Scott Morrison said that expenditure as a share of the economy under this government is falling, not increasing. Is that right?
Marcelo Sayao/EPA
A professor of economics reflects on other outbreaks to get to grips with the likely impacts of Zika.
from www.shutterstock.com
It’s a turbulent time for the global economy – here’s what to expect.
We knew China couldn’t keep growing so fast.
Aly Song/reuters
This week delivered more evidence that advanced economies are suffering from secular stagnation, hampering any real growth.
Easing your path to lending.
Thomas Hawk
One day, your Facebook posts and Tweets might convince lenders to drop you some cash. Until then, here are five simple ways to help open up the bank vaults.
Out of all proportion?
Tim Norris
Time to pick apart the rationale in doom-laden predictions for Britain’s second favourite topic of conversation.
A tree house used to observe the Tungurahua volcano in Ecuador which has made a point of developing ecotourism to boost economic growth.
Reuters/Gary Granja
The world must embrace an economy where people and the planet are what matters the most.
Taking the biscuit. UK organisations need some quality control.
REUTERS/POOL New
Efforts to fix the UK’s failure to make more stuff and be more profitable focus too far up the chain.
Nhlanhla Nene, South Africa’s former finance minister. President Zuma’s decision to fire him is irrational.
EPA/Nic Bothma
It is difficult to analyse political developments in South Africa. Decision-making does not fit any neat political science theory. President Zuma is unpredictable and his policy thinking is woolly.
Pulling apart the European crisis response.
REUTERS/Francois Lenoir
“First, do no harm”. It’s not clear that European countries even got that right as they navigated their way through the aftermath.