Norsk Hydro to Close Birtley Extrusion Plant in UK Amid Weak Market Conditions

Rio Tinto and Codelco Agree to Jointly Develop High-Grade Lithium Project in Chile

Emirates Global Aluminium to Build First U.S. Primary Aluminium Plant in 45 Years with $4 Billion Oklahoma Investment

Cobalt Holdings to Launch $230 Million London IPO with Glencore and Anchorage as Key Investors

Aluminium Prices Face Downward Pressure in 2024 Amid Trade Tensions and Slowing Demand

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May 20, 2025

Palladium: uses, properties, and fascinating facts about the rare metal

Physical and Chemical Properties of Palladium Palladium (Pd) is a lustrous, silver-white metal belonging to the platinum group metals (PGMs). It is renowned for its high catalytic activity, chemical inertness, and exceptional ability to absorb hydrogen, which makes it highly valuable across numerous advanced technologies. Key physical and chemical properties include: Its unique ability to…

May 20, 2025

Palladium: properties, synthesis methods, and diverse applications

Physical and Chemical Properties of Palladium Palladium (Pd) is a soft, silvery-white metal belonging to the platinum group metals (PGMs), widely valued for its catalytic properties, corrosion resistance, and hydrogen absorption capabilities. Key properties include: These attributes make palladium essential across a variety of cutting-edge technologies and scientific applications. Synthesis Methods of Palladium Nanoparticles Palladium…

May 19, 2025

Interesting facts about copper: history, science, and surprising uses

Ancient Origins and Historical Milestones Copper is one of the oldest metals known to humanity. Archaeological evidence shows that it was used over 10,000 years ago. The Çatalhöyük settlement in modern-day Turkey, dating back to around 7500 BCE, contains some of the earliest examples of copper tools. During the Bronze Age, copper was alloyed with…

May 18, 2025

Top nickel mining companies to watch in 2025

Global nickel production overview Nickel plays a pivotal role in modern industry, especially as a key component in stainless steel and batteries for electric vehicles (EVs). In 2024, global nickel production was around 3.0 million metric tons, driven by demand from China and accelerating EV adoption. Indonesia leads the world in nickel output, accounting for…

May 14, 2025

Westwin Elements Plans First U.S. Nickel Refinery as Domestic Industry Pushes Back Against Chinese Market Dominance

Westwin Elements is moving ahead with plans to build the first nickel refinery in the United States, aiming to reduce the country’s dependence on foreign sources of the metal. The refinery, to be located in Lawton, Oklahoma, is expected to scale up to 64,000 metric tons of annual capacity. In January, the project received a…

May 13, 2025

China Increases Refined Nickel Output in April, While Nickel Sulfate Production Falls

Refined nickel production in China reached 36,250 tonnes in April, up 6% from March and 47% higher year-on-year, according to data from Shanghai Metals Market (SMM). Over the first four months of 2025, total output rose to 131,000 tonnes, marking a 31.7% increase compared to the same period in 2024. The rise in refined nickel…

May 18, 2025

Top platinum mining companies to watch in 2025

Global platinum production overview Platinum is a vital precious metal with applications in automotive catalysts, industrial processes, and jewelry. In recent years, its role in green hydrogen technologies and fuel cells has expanded its strategic value. Global platinum production reached approximately 236 metric tons in 2024, with South Africa accounting for over 70% of the…

May 14, 2025

Researchers Develop Bifunctional Copper Catalyst Enabling Low-Pressure Hydrogenation of Inert Molecules

A team of chemists from Chemnitz University of Technology and the University of Innsbruck has developed a new copper-based catalyst capable of activating and transferring molecular hydrogen at low pressure, enabling reactions previously considered impractical under mild conditions. Led by Professor Johannes Teichert (Chemnitz) in collaboration with Professor Fabian Dillmann’s group (Innsbruck), the researchers reported…

May 2, 2025

Implats Reports Decreased Production in Q3 FY2025 Amid Operational Challenges

Implats has reported a 6% decrease in 6E Group production for the quarter ended 31 March 2025, with output totaling 780,000 ounces, compared to 827,000 ounces during the same period last year. The decline was largely driven by operational challenges, including the impact of required maintenance at South African smelters and constrained mining fleet availability…

April 24, 2025

Nornickel Maintains Stable Metal Output in Q1 2025 Amid Market Turbulence

Nornickel, one of the world’s largest producers of nickel and palladium, maintained stable production in the first quarter of 2025, with only marginal declines in most key metals despite persistent headwinds in the global metals market. The company reported a 1.1% year-on-year decrease in nickel output to 41.6 thousand tonnes, a 0.4% dip in copper…

April 15, 2025

Russian Scientists Develop Palladium-Carbon Nanocomposites for Efficient Electrochemical Devices

Researchers from the Krasnoyarsk Scientific Centre and Siberian Federal University have developed new palladium-carbon nanocomposite materials with enhanced electrochemical properties, according to the Siberian Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences. The materials, synthesized using plasma chemical techniques, show promise for applications in fuel cells, batteries, and other electrochemical devices due to their improved reaction…

March 14, 2025

Arctic Miner Promotes Palladium Glass Fibre Application Amid Sour Market

Russia’s Nornickel, the world’s top supplier of palladium, a metal mainly used in car manufacturing, is pushing to expand its industrial applications as demand from automakers decline. In collaboration with the Krasnoyarsk Non-Ferrous Metals Plant, Russian state-owned refinery, and with support from the Chinese Precious Metals Committee, the company introduced palladium-based bushings as an alternative…

Norsk Hydro to Close Birtley Extrusion Plant in UK Amid Weak Market Conditions

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