Gerardo Del Real,
Editor
May 20, 2026
In the words of the great poet Eminem… guess who’s back, back again?!
While the U.S. continues to do Israel’s bidding in Iran, China is doing what it always does: planning ahead.
China has provided guidelines on a law passed in 2024 meant to prioritize a strategic mineral reserve. The rules set a minimum five-year term for strategic mineral resource reserves kept at their source and call for the accelerated construction of strategic mineral resource reserve facilities.
It’s like “America First” for China — but with real outcomes attached to it.
The guidelines also stipulate that strategic mineral resources reserved by the state may not be mined or encroached upon without approval from the State Council’s natural resources authority.
While China did not mention specific commodities that would be included on the list, we know that in February China stated it would expand its strategic reserves of copper.
Meanwhile, Chile — the world’s top copper supplier — lowered its production forecast for this year and next.
We know China isn’t shy about weaponizing its rare earth dominance, and we also know China has been stockpiling gold and silver at a feverish pace.
The Financial Times reported this week that Tianqi Lithium chief executive Frank Ha has warned that even the most bullish lithium forecasts underestimate the dawn of new battery-powered industries, including electric ships and trucks.
“This is going to be a huge increase,” he told the FT from his office in Chengdu.
The recent consolidation from all-time highs in copper and three-year highs in lithium is just that: a brief pause before the next leg higher.
So on a day where gold is up $50 back above $4,500, silver is up over 3% above the $76 level, and crude oil is back below $100 — all on rumors that a deal with Iran could be imminent — take a second to look at the bigger picture.
Gold, silver, copper, lithium, and uranium demand are all going higher while supply struggles to keep up. Debt will continue to balloon, and companies that can make discoveries and provide the metals needed for both the present and the future will surge.
The recent consolidation in the junior resource space should be taken advantage of while it lasts.
It’s why Nick Hodge and I have been on the road looking at projects these past few weeks.
Over the next week or so, I’ll be sharing the names of several companies I believe will benefit from these tailwinds.
Let's get it,
Gerardo Del Real
Editor, Bizarro World