Crossword Genius

Company initially recognising China controls mineral material (9)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

corporeal

I'm a little stuck... Click here to teach me more about this clue!

'material' is the definition.
(I know that material can be written as corporeal)

'company initially recognising china controls mineral' is the wordplay.
I cannot quite see how this works, but
'company' could be 'co' (abbreviation) and 'co' is located in the answer.
'mineral' could be 'ore' (ore is a kind of mineral) and 'ore' is located in the answer.
'china' could be 'pal' (china plate is Cockney rhyming slang for mate) and 'pal' is found in the leftover letters.
A single letter 'r' remains which might be clued in a way I don't see.
This may be the basis of the clue (or it may be nonsense).

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for corporeal that I've seen before include "physical" , "not spiritual" , "Bodily" , "pink material" , "of flesh" .)

I've seen this clue in The Times.
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