AM Edition: Top 10 Politics Articles on LiveNews.co.nz for August 3, 2026 – Full Text

Source: New Zealand First

New Zealand First has confirmed today that former Minister of Defence Ron Mark will be standing for the party in the Wairarapa electorate this election.

Mark brings much needed experience and skills having served as a Member of Parliament and as a senior Minister in government.

His ministerial portfolios have included Defence, Veterans’ Affairs and State-Owned Enterprises, where he earned a reputation for strong leadership, sound decision-making and delivering practical outcomes. 

Mark has previously served as Mayor of Carterton, working closely with local communities to strengthen infrastructure, support economic growth and improve local services across the district. 

Before entering politics, Mark served with distinction in the New Zealand Army, developing the leadership, discipline and commitment to service that have defined his career. 

More recently, Mark has continued serving internationally, travelling to Ukraine during the war to support humanitarian and reconstruction efforts and to assist communities affected by the conflict. 

With a lifetime of service in the military, local government, Parliament and internationally, Ron Mark brings proven leadership and a deep commitment to serving the people of New Zealand.

Original source: https://nz.mil-osi.com/2026/08/02/candidate-announcement-ron-mark-returns-for-nzfirst/

Source: New Zealand First

Introduction

Good afternoon.

This election is going to be pivotal for the direction of our country, and what is needed more than anything else is serious skill, and serious experience in the next government.

It is vital that the left does not win.

It is just as vital as who the Ministers and MPs in the next government are.

We need Members of Parliament and Ministers who have a track record of delivery and competence, who have the right values and principles to help make the changes that are needed in the key areas of government.

Most of all they need pragmatism and common sense.

That is why we are announcing today the New Zealand First candidate standing here in the Wairarapa this election – former Minister of Defence Ron Mark.

Ron has been a Member of Parliament, a Minister of the Crown, a Mayor, and more recently has continued serving internationally, travelling to Ukraine during the war to support humanitarian and reconstruction efforts and to assist communities affected by the conflict.

Ron brings proven leadership and a deep commitment to serving the people of New Zealand.

When Ron was the Minister of Defence, he had a huge impact on the Defence Force, was well respected within the ranks, and delivered massive changes and upgrades to our forces.

No modern Minister of Defence can match his record in terms of procurement of essential military equipment.

Ron seriously delivered as a Minister and an MP in this area.

Others might talk about the Wairarapa interests, Ron does something about it.

We ask you to make sure your vote counts this election, to ensure you have the real representation in government that this country needs.

This election is going to be like no other. There is a sea change happening around the world and it is also happening here in New Zealand – people are sick of the pendulum swing between Pepsi and Coke, Tweedledum or Tweedledee – they are voting for people who are not afraid to tell it like it is, for people who are offering hope for a change from the old party status quo of the past forty years that has failed to focus on ordinary hardworking kiwi battlers.

And they want to bust out of the mainstream media’s choice of the next election winner, and restore the voters pre-eminence in a democracy.

You, not the mainstream media, are the masters.

Ron has a real chance here in the Wairarapa to help turn things around, but we need you to give us the tools to get the job done.

A Pivotal Election

The election is a little over three months away, and we are already seeing the other parties reverting to type, as they always do at election time, with no direction, no plan, and no policy, that will give New Zealand the real change that we need.

There is a difference in this election, that we haven’t seen in a long time.

Kiwis are looking at what parties are offering as their values and principles in these uncertain times.

There will be the inevitable policies and promises made, and they are important, but kiwis are looking to a party that stands with them in their core values – that will change the current pathway we are on as a country.

Challenging the Status Quo

The greatest challenge to blind ideology, to social elitism, and to the status quo, is New Zealand First.

If you doubt that, look at the way they all salivate over any comment we make.

Frothing at the mouth, frothing at the print, and hyperventilating while they clutch their pearls and go bonkers. And they did so from the very start of this party’s formation.

We, from the very beginning, stand for one country, one people, one law, one flag, regardless of gender, race, or religion.

And the country we are defending is called New Zealand – it’s in our party’s name.

We have been for protecting our nation’s sovereignty and national interest, protecting our unique role in the world, protecting our nation’s pride in who we are, where we have come from, and our traditional Kiwi values.

We fight for the hardworking blue-collar Kiwi battler, who just wants the chance to help build a country they are proud of.

We have always been, and always will be, for common sense.

Thirty-three years ago we created this party with a vision. A vision of hope for every New Zealander for the chance of a better future for our children and grandchildren.

Our country is not just a place, it is who we are as people.

It is a set of values, stitched together across time. It is never complete – it grows.

It grows into what we, as a New Zealanders, together, chose it to be.

And the question is, ‘what do we want our country to be?’

We can no longer continue to accept the status quo who represent the establishment, who want nothing more than to protect the power they think they have, and maintain the separation of the ordinary kiwi from the elite.

In this election, we have a rare chance to change the shape of parliament for the better, and in doing so, to reshape our country the way you want it.

We can choose to continue down the path we have been on for over forty years, where the old parties, in opposition, pathetically bleat “its our turn now”, expect when they do get that turn, its usually a turn for the worse.

What we have seen, over and over again, is just a continued management of our country’s decline against the best countries in the world.

We are asking you to make a choice with our future generations in mind.

Take back control from the Wellington Bluesky bubble,

take back control from the ‘way it’s always been’,

take back control from those who choose to be a CV politician, where they are here one day, run out of gas, and are gone the next – taking with them a rolodex of international job opportunities, speaking circuits, or book tours, looking back over their shoulder at New Zealand’s decline- which they were critically part of.

New Zealand First, from our launch thirty-three years ago, has been battling that elitist status quo. No one can deny that. On issue after issue that needed public exposure, the rest remain silent – the latest being the Covid Inquiry disgrace. When others wouldn’t raise a finger, we have raised the roof.

We will never give up that fight against the elitest status quo, and this election we are going to bust the mainstream media polls.

In November we have the real chance to show the power of MMP. We can move away from what our system used to be, and make a real change to how our country is governed and who is representing you in government.

We can’t fly a microlight to the moon, but if you give us a rocket, we will, together, reach the stars.

We must change the path we are on as a country and make New Zealand great again, like it once was when we were the number one democracy in the world.

New Zealand is in its eleventh hour.

The time is now.

Strong Leadership, Bold Polices

Now is not the time for weak leadership.

We need leaders of the next government to say the things that people are thinking without fear or favour.

We need leaders to say the things that might be unpopular.

To say the things that others only talk about behind closed doors, but are too afraid of the backlash from the woke precious snowflakes on the left, or worse, the mainstream media.

We need leaders who are not afraid to have strong stances on important issues that are affecting ordinary kiwis.

We certainly don’t want weak, out of touch leaders, who can’t make the tough decisions this country needs in these uncertain times.

And we don’t need weak leaders to don’t understand New Zealand values.

We can’t continue to allow the two big parties to tinker round the edges of big issues, and do nothing but manage the decline of our country.

We are at a pivotal point in the future of New Zealand.

That is why we need bold policies that will fundamentally change the direction and thinking of our country.

We have already announced a number of bold policies this year.

It is what we need for real and fundamental change to drive down the cost of living, secure a future for kiwis, and reinforce who we are as New Zealanders.

We have announced policies to break up the power companies.

We have announced policies to split the supermarket duopoly.

We have announced polices to re-establish a competitive state-owned bank.

We have announced polices to return mining royalties created in the regions back to the regions.

We have announced that we will establish a select committee inquiry into those who were injured by the Covid 19 vaccine – so we can find out exactly what happened, who was responsible, and publicly hold them to account.

The massive cover-up from the other parties about this matter is a disgrace.

When the Covid issues are headlining internationally in other democracies, the politicians in the other parties are trying to shut it down.

They knew the risks about the vaccines for under 17-year-olds, and they kept it from the public, from the parents, and from you.

The previous inquiry was a sham and did nothing but sweep everything under the carpet. We do not accept that it is done. That is what the establishment want. People suffered, people need answers, and people need to be held to account for their lies and coverups.

And looking to the future, we announced our KiwiSaver policy of making it compulsory with automatic sign-up at birth $1000 kickstart. It means the day the baby is born it gets $1000 in their account to start saving.

Our policy is to establish a $100 billion Future Fund that will invest in a thirty-year infrastructure plan for our country. 

We have also announced that we will pull out of the Paris Agreement that is senselessly hamstringing our economy. Our carbon footprint is 0.17%, whilst China, India, Russia and the US are 60% – our opponents have us sinking into the Pacific Ocean and it still wont make a jot of difference – how can any woke lefty Greenies make that make sense.

New Zealand has one of the loosest electoral laws in the world, and that is why we have announced a policy to ensure that only citizens are allowed to vote in our country.

And two weeks ago, at our Campaign Launch, we announced a policy to invest $1billion to start exploring our gas and oil reserves in our deep-sea basins so we can own and export our own oil and gas.

Here we are wrestling with an international fuel crisis while we could be owning and using our own.

New Zealand has natural resources that are there, ready to be utilised to transform our country.

This is about New Zealand’s economic sovereignty and security,

We can’t continue serving international interests and decision making.

We will find those energy reserves, we will extract them, and what we find, we will use to make our country prosperous again.

These are the bold polices that will change the status quo, reform our country, and put New Zealand back on a pathway to prosperity.

And what have the other parties announced as policies so far? Solar panels and free bus rides.

New Zealand’s Birthrate Crisis

There is an issue that most people are not aware of and has not been given the serious attention that it needs.

It is a monumental problem that our country is facing and only one party is talking about it.

As a country we have been blind to this issue and now have found ourselves at the eleventh hour with a disaster coming, if we don’t do something about it now.

That problem is our massively declining birthrate.

Here are the facts.

The rate of New Zealand citizens having children has dramatically fallen over the past decade, from 52,000 in 2006 to just 36,000 in 2025. That is a 30% drop – in just the last ten years.

Think for a moment – where we will be in another ten years if this continues.

New Zealand’s current birthrate is 1.53 births per person, which is well below the rate of replacement and even that rate is continuing to decline. 

A rate of 2.1 births per person is needed to just maintain our population.

This is a population precipice for the future of our country and it’s happening now.

With an ever-decreasing birthrate, we will face a future where we are totally dependent on immigration to maintain our economy and mounting costs of supporting our population and growing our economy.

This is not exaggeration or soundbites. This is a cold hard fact.

At the same time that the number of New Zealand citizen births is dramatically decreasing, the non-citizen birth number is dramatically increasing.

There were 8,000 non-citizen births in 2006, and last year it almost doubled to 14,000 births.

Put in simple percentage terms, in 2006 87% of all births were by citizens and 13% non-citizens.

Last year that percentage was just 72% New Zealand citizens giving birth, and 28% non-citizens.

This equation is severely unbalanced and means a diminishing kiwi population.

The issue of a declining birthrate is found around the western world, other countries have implemented fundamental changes of policy to reverse their decline, and we need to make serious changes here too before it’s too late.

Masking this massive problem by increasing migration is just papering over the cracks and will be disastrous for our future.

There are many and varied reasons why in modern western societies people are deciding to not have children or choosing to have children later in life – which all inevitably lead to fewer children.

Those reasons range from prioritising careers, prioritising a dependent-free adulthood, increasing costs, and sacrifices of raising children.

The fact is, we need more Kiwis having more children, and one way to do that is to substantially lower the main barrier most are facing – that is the cost.

Campaign Policy Announcement: Kiwi Kids Grant

New Zealand First is today announcing we will campaign on introducing a ‘Kiwi Kids Grant’ that will support New Zealand citizens raising the first three children, through the first three years of their lives.

The ‘Kiwi Kids Grant’ will encourage Kiwis to have more kids, and remove the barrier of the increasing costs of having children.

The ‘Kiwi Kids Grant’ is a universal, non-means tested grant of $5000 annually for the first three years, and for each of the first, second, and third child.

This regular payment will be facilitated through IRD, with an option of the first-year grant for the first child being taken as a lump sum to help with the costs for a first child.

The $5000 will be tax free and will be in addition to all other existing support that parents are currently eligible for.

Only parent must be a New Zealand citizen to be eligible for this grant.

This policy has an estimated cost of $400 million by the third year once the full cycle is established.

This is an essential investment in our country’s future demography, culture, and sustainable economic future.

New Zealand needs to get our birthrate increasing before it’s too late.

Conclusion

Ladies and gentlemen, we are all here because we love our country, and we are proud of it.

True democracy is a rare flower in the history of humanity.

We have inherited a free country that our forebears fought and died for, and it’s our job to preserve it.

But only if we are proud of what we have inherited can we come together and move forward to shape the vision of our country’s future. 

We live in a country that, at its core, traditional New Zealand values once saw us amongst the world’s leaders – hard work, fair pay, valuing our citizenship, building a sense of community, and knowing who we are as kiwis.

We must remember, New Zealand is the beneficiary of Western values, democracy, and the rule of law. And the advancement and enhancement of those principles have only occurred in those societies that have united together as one people – and who celebrate their nationhood instead of perpetuating division.

There is a lot of uncertainty around the world and at home, but we must keep hope alive that, with hard work and perseverance, tomorrow will be better.

New Zealand First is nationalist, patriotic, and socially conservative.

We are proud to not only stand for those values, but to fight for them.

It hasn’t been easy – but things in life worth doing – are never easy.

It is what will build the character of our country.

We must never forget that challenge.

We must never stop believing in New Zealand.

That is our vision and that is our mission.

To protect, to save, and to restore New Zealand’s place at the top of the world.

By putting New Zealand and New Zealanders first.

We are asking you to join us – and Party Vote New Zealand First.

Original source: https://nz.mil-osi.com/2026/08/02/winston-peters-new-zealand-in-its-eleventh-hour/

Source: New Zealand Government

Workplace Relations and Safety Minister Brooke van Velden says changes to hazardous substances regulations coming into effect today will provide regulatory relief and ensure laboratory safety requirements better reflect the realities of working in labs. 

“I’m making practical changes to health and safety regulations that will maintain safety in laboratories while reducing unnecessary compliance costs,” says Ms van Velden.  

“In 2017, laboratories became subject to the same regulatory requirements as industrial operations that use hazardous substances. These requirements are nonsensical for laboratory environments, which are smaller scale and typically use a wider range of substances in lesser quantities.  

“Scientists told me that complying with these requirements would in some cases make their laboratories less safe. For example, laboratories with self-reactive substances are required to be on the ground floor of buildings. But locating laboratories on upper levels makes more sense from a safety perspective because otherwise, ground floor exits would be blocked by the fire, preventing evacuation. These rules don’t apply well to the laboratory environment. 

“They also told me that the costs of meeting the 2017 regulatory requirements would have been substantial. Universities New Zealand and the Independent Research Association of New Zealand estimated it was likely to cost between $1.5 billion to $3 billion, as laboratories across the country would have to be renovated. 

“I am pleased that scientists and those who work with hazardous substances everyday worked with the Ministry for Business, Innovation and Employment to achieve changes that will save laboratories from having to make their workers less safe or spend in the billions to comply. Laboratories can now choose to meet their obligations through a risk management plan tailored to the risks of flammable and oxidising substances in their lab, giving them greater flexibility while maintaining strong safety standards.” 

The changes introduce a dedicated compliance pathway for research, testing and teaching laboratories under the Hazardous Substances Regulations, recognising that these facilities operate differently from industrial operations like pesticide or cleaning product manufacturers.  

An Approved Code of Practice (ACOP) will be developed with industry to provide clear guidance for laboratories on how to meet the requirements.  

“These changes will support science, research and innovation while maintaining strong health and safety protections,” says Ms van Velden. 

Editor notes:  

• These changes have been made through the Health and Safety at Work (Hazardous Substances) Amendment Regulations 2026. 

Original source: https://nz.mil-osi.com/2026/07/30/practical-changes-introduced-for-laboratory-safety/

MIL OSI

MIL OSI

MIL OSI

MIL OSI

Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-NZ-AU)

Board committed to a NASDAQ listing and is evaluating pathways, including a NASDAQ compliance listing, in parallel with PCAOB audit work led by BDO, conversion of Halleck Creek resources to SEC S-K 1300, and the engagement of a leading North American financial advisor.

HIGHLIGHTS

• American Rare Earths is committed to a NASDAQ listing and is examining pathways to achieve it including a compliance listing as well as other transaction structures
• The Company is working with a leading North American financial advisor on listing options and transaction structuring
• PCAOB audit process is progressing under BDO, previously appointed to lead the Company’s PCAOB audit workstream
• Halleck Creek resources are being converted to SEC S-K 1300 reporting standards to support U.S. disclosure requirements
• Strategy remains aligned with the scale and strategic importance of the Halleck Creek Rare Earths Project as a future domestic source of rare earths for defense, energy and advanced manufacturing supply chains
• Recently signed Executive Order 14415 “Securing America’s Defense Supply Chains and Ensuring Domestic Acquisition of Critical Materials” restricts waivers of the 10 U.S.C. § 4872 covered-materials prohibition from January 1, 2027, requires prime defense contractors to qualify domestic alternative sources, and expressly protects acquisitions from U.S. Government–supported critical minerals projects; materially strengthening the demand backdrop for Halleck Creek and reinforcing the strategic rationale for a U.S. listing

DENVER, July 30, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — – American Rare Earths Limited – (ASX: ARR | OTCQX: ARRNF | ADR: AMRRY) (“ARR” or “the Company”) is pleased to provide an update on the advancement of its NASDAQ listing strategy. The Board has reaffirmed its commitment to listing on NASDAQ and, together with its advisors, is examining all viable pathways to achieve that objective on terms that best serve shareholders.

COMMITMENT TO A NASDAQ LISTING

The Board of American Rare Earths is committed to a NASDAQ listing and is evaluating a range of pathways to achieve it. Consistent with previous disclosure, a NASDAQ compliance listing remains one option under consideration. The Company is examining that pathway alongside other structures that may be available to a U.S.-focused rare earths developer, with the objective of selecting the route that delivers the strongest access to U.S. institutional and retail capital, the most efficient execution timetable, and the greatest long-term flexibility for the Company and its shareholders.

The Company has retained a leading North American financial advisor to support the Board and management in assessing potential U.S. listing transaction structures, market timing, and investor-positioning considerations across each of the pathways under review.

PATHWAYS UNDER REVIEW

The Board and management are working with the Company’s advisors to assess pathways to a NASDAQ listing, including but not limited to:

• a NASDAQ compliance listing, as previously announced¹;
• a U.S. initial public offering and concurrent NASDAQ listing;
• alternative U.S. listing structures available to a company with U.S.-based critical minerals assets.

No decision has been made on the specific pathway, and there is no assurance that any particular transaction will proceed. The Company will update the market as and when material decisions are made.

PCAOB AUDIT WORKSTREAM

The Company continues to progress its Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (PCAOB) audit workstream, a prerequisite for a U.S. listing on NASDAQ. As previously announced, BDO Audit Pty Ltd (BDO) has been appointed to lead the PCAOB audit process. Work under BDO’s direction is advancing in parallel with the pathway assessment described above so that the Company is positioned to move promptly once a preferred structure has been selected.

CONVERSION OF RESOURCES TO SEC S-K 1300

In support of a NASDAQ listing, American Rare Earths is converting its Halleck Creek mineral resource and reserve reporting to the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission’s Regulation S-K subpart 1300 (S-K 1300) standard. S-K 1300 is the mineral property disclosure framework required for SEC registrants and is the U.S. counterpart to the JORC Code used for ARR’s existing ASX disclosures. Preparing S-K 1300 compliant technical reporting for Halleck Creek gives U.S. investors, analysts and regulators a disclosure package prepared to the standards they expect and supports the Company’s readiness for a NASDAQ listing under any of the pathways under review.

EXECUTIVE ORDER 14415: A STRATEGIC TAILWIND FOR HALLECK CREEK

On July 20, 2026, the President signed Executive Order 14415, “Securing America’s Defense Supply Chains and Ensuring Domestic Acquisition of Critical Materials”, published in the Federal Register on July 23, 2026. The Order directs the Secretary of War and the military departments to cease issuing waivers of the 10 U.S.C. § 4872 covered-materials prohibition from January 1, 2027, except under a formal, accepted mitigation plan supported by exhaustive evidence that compliant material was unavailable. Section 4 of the Order further directs defense prime contractors and subcontractors to qualify and utilize alternative domestic sources for material or components currently supplied by unreliable foreign suppliers, with failure to do so providing grounds for the Secretary to suspend or terminate contracts.

The Company believes Executive Order 14415 is highly significant for American Rare Earths and Halleck Creek, for four reasons:

• Closes the waiver loophole. Section 232 of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2019, codified at 10 U.S.C. § 4872, has long restricted defense acquisition of rare earth magnets, samarium-cobalt and neodymium–iron–boron magnets, and specialty metals sourced from covered nations (China, Russia, Iran and North Korea), but broad waiver practice has allowed continued reliance on non-compliant supply. EO 14415 restricts that waiver authority and forces prime defense contractors to move to compliant, domestic sources.
• Creates enforceable demand for U.S.-mined and U.S.-processed rare earths. Halleck Creek is being developed as an integrated U.S. mine-to-oxide platform in Wyoming, positioned to supply exactly the domestic, allied-friendly material the Order requires prime defense contractors to qualify. Section 4’s domestic-source qualification requirement, backed by contract-termination remedies, converts long-standing policy preference into an enforceable procurement obligation.
• Recognizes U.S. Government–supported projects as a preferred pathway. Section 6 of the Order expressly protects the U.S. Strategic Critical Minerals Reserve (“Project Vault”) and acquisitions from projects receiving support from the Departments of State, War, Commerce or Energy, and from the Export-Import Bank of the United States and the U.S. International Development Finance Corporation. This creates a clear line of sight for Halleck Creek to participate in the defense-linked supply chain as it advances its U.S. Government engagement, Wyoming State support and permitting workstreams.
• Reinforces the strategic case for a NASDAQ listing. The Order sharpens the profile of U.S.-listed critical minerals developers with a qualifiable domestic supply. A NASDAQ listing positions American Rare Earths alongside the U.S. peer group most likely to benefit from EO 14415, and improves the Company’s ability to be assessed, followed and owned by the U.S. institutional investor base focused on the defense industrial base and critical minerals security of supply.

The Company will continue to engage with U.S. Government stakeholders on the implementation of Executive Order 14415, including the supply-chain mapping regulations required under Section 3 and the domestic-source qualification strategy required under Section 4, both of which are expected to be developed over the next 90 to 180 days.

WHY THE STRATEGY MATTERS

The Halleck Creek Rare Earths Project is a U.S.-based, U.S.-strategic asset. Listing on NASDAQ is intended to align the Company’s primary trading venue with the market in which its flagship asset is located and where the deepest pool of relevant long-term capital for U.S. critical minerals developers resides. A NASDAQ listing is also expected to broaden access for U.S. institutional investors, index funds and sector analysts, and to support the Company’s ongoing engagement with U.S. government stakeholders in defense, energy and advanced manufacturing supply chains; a channel made materially more consequential by Executive Order 14415.

“NASDAQ is the right home for American Rare Earths. Our flagship Halleck Creek project is a U.S. asset of strategic national significance, and our listing platform should reflect that. The Company is committed to a NASDAQ listing and, with a leading North American financial advisor, we are actively examining all viable pathways to identify the structure that best serves shareholders. In parallel, BDO is leading our PCAOB audit workstream and we are advancing the conversion of our Halleck Creek resources to SEC S-K 1300 so that we are ready to move promptly once a pathway is selected. The recent signing of Executive Order 14415 sharpens the strategic case for that work: by restricting waivers of the 10 U.S.C. § 4872 covered-materials prohibition and requiring prime defense contractors to qualify domestic sources, the Order reinforces the demand outlook for U.S.-based rare earths projects like Halleck Creek and the value of being listed and followed in the U.S. market.”

– Mark Wall, Chief Executive Officer, American Rare Earths

The Company remains focused on advancing Halleck Creek through feasibility studies, permitting and development activities, recognizing that project execution remains fundamental to long-term shareholder value creation.

This announcement has been authorized for release by the Board of American Rare Earths Limited.

ABOUT THE HALLECK CREEK RARE EARTHS PROJECT

The Halleck Creek Rare Earths Project, located in Wyoming, hosts the largest known rare earth deposit in the United States on a total rare earth oxide (TREO) basis². The Cowboy State Mine area within Halleck Creek offers cost-efficient open-pit mining methods on Wyoming State land, benefiting from a mature permitting framework in Wyoming. The project is currently progressing feasibility-stage drilling alongside a Whole of Property Development Assessment awarded to a leading U.S. engineering firm.

Halleck Creek is strategically positioned to reduce U.S. reliance on rare earth imports, predominantly from China, while meeting growing domestic demand from defense, advanced manufacturing, electric vehicles, wind energy, and semiconductor industries. The project includes plans for onsite mineral processing and separation facilities, and the Company is engaged with U.S. Government-supported R&D programs to develop innovative extraction and processing technologies.

ABOUT AMERICAN RARE EARTHS LIMITED

American Rare Earths (ASX: ARR | OTCQX: ARRNF | ADR: AMRRY) is a critical minerals company at the forefront of reshaping the U.S. rare earths industry. Through its wholly owned subsidiary, Wyoming Rare (USA) Inc. (WRI), the Company is advancing the Halleck Creek Project in Wyoming, a world-class rare earth deposit with the potential to secure America’s critical mineral independence for generations.

American Rare Earths is committed to environmentally responsible mining practices and continues to collaborate with U.S. Government-supported R&D programs to develop innovative extraction and processing technologies for rare earth elements. The Company is progressing toward a NASDAQ listing in 2026. Further information is available at www.americanree.com.

INVESTOR CONTACT

FORWARD LOOKING STATEMENTS
This announcement contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of applicable securities laws, including statements regarding the Company’s intention to list on NASDAQ; the pathways under review to achieve that listing, including a NASDAQ compliance listing, a U.S. initial public offering and other structures; the Company’s engagement of an advisor on listing options; the PCAOB audit workstream led by BDO; the conversion of Halleck Creek mineral resource and reserve reporting to SEC Regulation S-K subpart 1300; and the advancement of the Halleck Creek Rare Earths Project through PFS, feasibility studies, permitting and toward construction. Forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause actual results, performance or achievements to differ materially from those expressed or implied, including without limitation: the Board’s ultimate selection among the pathways under review; failure to complete a NASDAQ listing on the timelines described or at all; changes in market conditions or investor demand; delays or adverse findings in the PCAOB audit process; delays or changes in the S-K 1300 technical reporting process; the scope, timing, interpretation and implementation of Executive Order 14415 and its implementing regulations, including the availability of domestic-source qualification pathways for the Company’s products and the treatment of U.S. Government–supported projects; delays in permitting or regulatory approvals; changes in commodity prices; capital cost variances; changes in technology or processing pathways; and general economic conditions. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements. The Company assumes no obligation to update forward-looking statements except as required by applicable law.

________________

¹ ASX Announcement dated May 13, 2026
² Refer ASX announcement dated February 4, 2025

– Published by The MIL Network

Source: Media Outreach

BANGKOK, THAILAND – Media OutReach Newswire – 30 July 2026 – Thai Cement Manufacturers Association (TCMA) has expanded its partnership with Germany’s development agency, the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ), to accelerate the adoption of low-carbon technologies in Thailand’s cement industry. The initiative, highlighted at the TCMA xGIZ at TCMA Technical Conference 2026, reflects a shift from policy commitments to implementation, under the theme: “#MadeInGermany: Cement Decarbonization in Practice – Insights for Thailand”. The collaboration aims to transfer proven technologies and expertise from developed economies to support Thailand’s transition toward Net Zero emissions by 2050.

Industry Shifts from Plans to Action

Mr. Nopadol Ramyarupa, Vice Chairman of TCMA said the industry has moved beyond pledges and is now focused on execution. TCMA member companies are advancing the Thailand 2050 Net Zero Cement and Concrete Roadmap through: expansion of low-carbon cement, improved energy efficiency, increased use of alternative fuels and raw materials (AFR), greater reliance on renewable energy

TCMA is also involved in the Saraburi Sandbox low-carbon city, a pilot project developed with GIZ under the Thai-German Cooperation on Energy, Mobility and Climate (TGC EMC).

“TCMA now has tangible progress and clear direction. The challenge is scaling up while maintaining competitiveness,” Mr. Nopadol said.

Germany Backs Industrial Decarbonization

Mrs. Ebba Schall, chargé d’affaires at the German Embassy in Thailand said Germany is prioritizing emissions reduction in hard-to-abate sectors such as cement through innovation and international cooperation.

“#MadeInGermany reflects standards of innovation, quality and sustainable development. This partnership will help adapt proven technologies to Thailand’s context,” Mrs. Ebba said.

The cooperation covers technology transfer, capacity building, access to green finance and support for industry readiness.

“The transition to a low-carbon economy is not a cost, but an investment in future competitiveness,” she added.

Government Speeds up Support Mechanisms

Dr. Kittisak Prukkanone, Director of the Division of Strategy and International Cooperation at Department of Climate Change and Environment said the partnership highlights closer coordination between government, industry and international partners.

The government is accelerating climate legislation, green investment incentives and financial tools to support low-carbon technologies, including carbon capture, utilization and storage (CCUS).

“This will help unlock new investment models and support long-term industrial transformation”, Dr. Kittisak said.

He added that businesses should prepare by investing in technology, improving data systems and adapting operations to future regulations.

Key Technologies in Focus

The technical conference highlighted three technologies critical to reducing emissions in cement production:

• LC3 (calcined clay cement) to reduce clinker content
• CCUS to address unavoidable emissions
• Industrial AI to improve efficiency and reduce energy use

Driving Long-term Transformation

Mr Nopadol said achieving net-zero emissions will require sustained cooperation across sectors. “Success will depend on consistent action and the ability to scale, while strengthening Thailand’s competitiveness and positioning the country as a low-carbon industry leader in ASEAN”.

Hashtag: #TCMA #ThaiCementClimateAction #TCMAtoNetZero2050 #NetZero2050 #NextChapterNetZero #ClimateAction #CementDecarbonization #GIZ #DCCE

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– Published and distributed with permission of Media-Outreach.com.

MIL OSI