Archive for July, 2024

Cancellation of Nickel Investments Should Be a Wake-Up Call for Indonesia

Via The Diplomat, a report on the cancellation of two planned nickel investments: On June 24, two multinational mining and mineral processing giants, France-based Eramet and Germany-based BASF, announced that they would cancel plans for a $2.6 billion nickel-cobalt refinery located within the Indonesia Weda Bay Industrial Park (IWIP), in North Maluku, Indonesia. The companies cited commercial reasons, […]

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Central Asia: The Once and Future Heart of Eurasia

Via Geopolitical Monitor, a report on Central Asia: In recent decades, the portrayal of the five former Soviet Central Asian states—collectively known as the “stans”—in Western media and policy discourse has often been overly simplistic, neglecting their unique identities, historical legacies, and rich cultural diversity. These nations are frequently depicted as objects in a larger […]

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The United States Tells China to Kick Rocks in Central Asia

Via East Asia Forum, commentary on U.S. efforts to diversify its supply chain for critical minerals and reduce its dependence on China by establishing partnerships with Central Asian republics, though it anticipates various challenges. In particular, China’s restrictions on gallium and germanium exports and significant economic influence in the region raise concerns. The United States, […]

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Mine, All Mine: China Says Rare Earths Belong To State In New Regulation

Via Nikkei Asia, a report on a new Chinese rule related to rare earths: China’s rare-earth resources belong to the state, the government said in a new regulation that will take effect Oct. 1. “No organization or individual may encroach upon or destroy rare-earth resources,” according to the text of the regulation published Saturday, which […]

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SCO Set Grow in Astana With Addition of Belarus

Courtesy of The Diplomat, an article on the upcoming SCO Summit which will add Belarus to the roster: On July 3-4, the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) will gather in Astana, the capital of Kazakhstan, for its annual leaders summit. After a virtual affair in 2023, the in-person summit will be closely watched as Belarus makes […]

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Malaysia Pins Its Belt and Road Infrastructure Hopes On Deepening China Ties

Via South China Morning Post, a report on Malaysia’s interest in deepening ties with China: Setting his sights on major investments from China, Malaysia’s Transport Minister Anthony Loke says he’s confident that ties will continue to deepen as the Southeast Asian nation powers ahead with an ambitious infrastructure agenda, including a slew of high-profile belt and […]

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ABOUT
WILDCATS AND BLACK SHEEP
Wildcats & Black Sheep is a personal interest blog dedicated to the identification and evaluation of maverick investment opportunities arising in frontier - and, what some may consider to be, “rogue” or “black sheep” - markets around the world.

Focusing primarily on The New Seven Sisters - the largely state owned petroleum companies from the emerging world that have become key players in the oil & gas industry as identified by Carola Hoyos, Chief Energy Correspondent for The Financial Times - but spanning other nascent opportunities around the globe that may hold potential in the years ahead, Wildcats & Black Sheep is a place for the adventurous to contemplate & evaluate the emerging markets of tomorrow.