A China-based malicious threat group called Dragonbridge began targeting rare earth mining firms in the US, Canada, and Australia. Researchers speculated that the attackers use internet users’ influence to spread misinformation and gain sympathy.
Dragonbridge has been active since 2019. They primarily use a network of inauthentic accounts and specially crafted personas on social media, forums, websites, and other similar platforms to promote positive narratives that can support China’s personal and political influence.
However, Dragonbridge recently launched a social media campaign targeting rare earth mining firms. The Chinese-speaking threat group attempts to disseminate misinformation regarding the harmful and dangerous effects of mining operations in different sectors of the environment.
The targeted rare earth mining firms include the USA Rare Earth, Lynas Rare Earths Ltd in Australia, and the Appia Rare Earths & Uranium Corporation in Canada.
According to experts, Dragonbridge is a strategic campaign of China since the earlier mentioned countries threaten the Chinese’s leading position in the rare earth mining industry.
However, some countries, such as Australia, have started moving with their plans by signing a contract with the United State Department of Defence to construct a Texas-based processing headquarters.
On the other hand, Appia has been in a new rare earth-bearing zone, while the US is planning a processing facility in Oklahoma.
Rare earth metals shape an essential component for military and consumer products since most of these products are critical for aircraft engines and missile guidance systems.
The Chinese-speaking threat group claims that developing a rare earth processing facility in Texas would expose the nearby residents to health problems, especially radioactive contamination. However, many researchers found that the Chinese threat actors had manifested numerous new social media accounts to promote the same narratives and spread misinformation.
The threat actors are heavily targeting the potential threat of other companies to their home facility. They have designed the campaign to acquire advantage for their country in the rare earth mining industry.
Experts suggest that organisations should stay wary regarding these attempts and report any false narratives that the group will spread.
