Shanghai Futures Exchange has been studying the nickel market, and may launch nickel contracts on its International Energy Exchange, sources say

Myanmar, one the world’s leading producers of rare earths metals, has suspended mining for inspections, sending prices to 16-month highs

Shanghai blue chips saw another fall, but the Nikkei, Hang Seng and other key regional indexes all saw gains on Wednesday

The deals mania comes as Australia undertakes a critical minerals strategy that envisages major collaborations with investors and global partners to become a renewables superpower

Officials expect "significant" economic impact after Hong Kong said it would join mainland China in banning most Japanese seafood from Thursday, when treated water from the damaged Fukushima nuclear plant will be released into the sea

South Korea’s Star Group Industrial and China’s Baotou INST Magnetic will join companies in sectors such as electronics and autos in shifting assembly lines amid backdrop of increasing trade rivalry

Chinese banks extended 346 billion yuan (nearly $48bn) of new loans in July, far short of forecasts, while floods have damaged crops in a key grain belt

Customs data on Tuesday showed imports dropped 12.4% in July year-on-year, while exports were down 14.5% amid weak demand both at home and abroad

China said on Friday it would drop tariffs imposed on Australian barley imports three years ago that affected billions in trade; eyes are now on curbs imposed on wine and other goods

New PBOC governor Pan Gongsheng met with companies on Thursday and pledged to channel resources, such as bonds and debt financing to help troubled property firms, local governments

Three scientists say they were able to produce a superconductor, dubbed LK-99, via a modified form of lead apatite, that 'conducts power at any temperature below 127C without pressure chambers', but experts are sceptical

Former vice commerce minister says China's countermeasures will escalate if tougher tech restrictions are imposed. Analysts say they could extend to rare earth elements.