CommoditiesFinal investment decision comes amid Western efforts to reduce reliance on ChinaArafura's rare earth project in Australia's Northern Territory underscores the shift by Western governments and major manufacturers to financially back supply chain diversification. (Screenshot from the Arafura's YouTube page)SHAUN TURTONMay 21, 2026 11:52 JSTCANBERRA -- Australian rare-earth company Arafura is aiming to start construction on its first mine and refinery in September, announcing on Thursday its board had made a final investment decision to go ahead with the state-backed project to provide a further non-China source of the material vital for modern technology.