China’s dominance over global midstream processing of critical minerals—controlling between 50% and 98% of refining and smelting across key metals—poses a strategic threat to Western industrial resilience, according to Australian investor Craig Tindale. Recent government‑backed investment, new refining initiatives and a surge in investor capital demonstrate that Australia is emerging as a key non‑Chinese source of critical metals. Gallium: A new frontier for AustraliaGallium—used in semiconductors, defence electronics and LEDs—is one of the metals China dominates almost entirely. A major new gallium refinery is planned for Wagerup, Western Australia, co‑funded by the US and Australia under a US$13B critical‑minerals partnership. Silver, Copper & Critical Metals ProducersTindale highlights silver and derivative metals as future chokepoints due to their midstream vulnerability.