John brings over 20 years of hands-on experience in international mining, covering the complete cycle from exploration to metal production. His work has taken him to mining operations across North and South America, Africa, and Asia. At Metals Wire, John draws on this field experience to examine the practical challenges and opportunities in modern mining operations, including regulatory changes, sustainability initiatives, and technological developments.
The Indonesian government has revoked the mining permits of four nickel companies in the ecologically fragile Raja Ampat archipelago, a UNESCO Global Geopark renowned for its marine biodiversity. The decision, announced by Energy and Mineral Resources Minister Bahlil Lahadalia, follows a high-profile public campaign by Greenpeace Indonesia that exposed significant environmental damage from mining activities....
Hydrogen is emerging as a promising alternative fuel for the transportation and energy sectors due to its clean-burning property and high energy density. “Green” hydrogen, produced using renewable energy sources, is particularly attractive as it has the potential to significantly reduce greenhouse gas emissions. One of the key technologies for the production of green hydrogen...
Toshiba, a Japanese electronics and industrial conglomerate, has begun delivering samples of its new rechargeable lithium-ion battery, the ‘SCiB Nb’, to manufacturers. Developed in partnership with Brazilian niobium producer CBMM and Japanese trading company Sojitz Corporation, the battery utilizes a niobium-titanium oxide (NTO) anode to deliver an estimated service life of 15,000 cycles and an...
Lithium foil and copper foil for battery use are seeing substantial growth, driven by the rising needs from electric vehicles and energy storage systems. Key parameters like the foil’s thickness, conductivity, and the manufacturing technology used form the building blocks of this evolving supply chain. Materials and types overview The foil market is composed of...
The Palladium Global Science Award, launched in March 2025, supports pioneering research in palladium-based materials. Open to scientists, startups, and research teams, the award seeks proposals for novel applications of palladium. Submissions are due by July 31, 2025. The initiative aims to recognize and fund breakthrough ideas in the development of palladium materials with unique...
Composition of palladium white gold White gold palladium is an alloy created from the blending of pure gold with the platinum group metal palladium. The standard alloy is 75% gold (18K) with 10–25% palladium, with traces of silver or copper sometimes added in for workability. Unlike the use of nickel as decolorizer in routine white...
Researchers at Freiberg University in Germany have developed a hydrogen-based direct reduction process for tin smelting that eliminates carbon emissions while achieving over 99% metal purity. The breakthrough technology uses 3 grams of hydrogen per 100 grams of cassiterite concentrate at 1,300°C, offering a low-carbon alternative to traditional carbon-based tin production methods that have dominated...
Vale, Brazil’s largest mining company and a major global iron ore and nickel producer, and Brazil’s National Electric System Operator, the country’s power grid management authority, have reached an impasse over electricity allocation that threatens a $555 million nickel expansion project. ONS rejected Vale’s request to increase power consumption to 200 megawatts at its Onca...
KAZ Minerals reported a decrease in copper production in the first quarter of 2025 compared to the same period last year. The Kazakhstan-based producer attributed the decline primarily to lower ore grades across its operations, though output remained slightly above the level produced in the previous quarter. The company experienced reduced by-product volumes due to...
Mopani Copper Mines (MCM) is advancing underground infrastructure projects aimed at unlocking 8.5 million tonnes of copper ore over the next four to five years, as part of efforts to significantly raise copper cathode production. CEO Charles Sakanya stated that the company’s goal is to double cathode output to more than 500,000 tonnes within 10...
Valterra Platinum, formerly Anglo American Platinum, began trading as an independent company on the Johannesburg Stock Exchange on Wednesday, finalizing its separation from parent Anglo American. The debut marks the completion of a major restructuring move by Anglo, which is shifting its focus to copper and iron ore after fending off a $49 billion takeover...
In Hachinohe, Japan, representatives from major metals traders and manufacturers—including Mitsubishi, Glencore, and Panasonic Energy—recently gathered at a nickel plant to examine samples of deep-sea ore retrieved from the Pacific Ocean floor. The event, organized by Canadian mining company The Metals Company (TMC), showcased materials collected from about 4,000 meters below the ocean’s surface. Attendees...
Rio Tinto announced on Thursday that CEO Jakob Stausholm will step down later this year after nearly five years in the role. The company confirmed that Stausholm will remain at the helm until a successor is appointed, with a formal selection process now underway. Internal candidates expected to be considered include Chief Commercial Officer Bold...
Emirates Global Aluminium (EGA) has announced plans to construct a new primary aluminium production facility near Tulsa, Oklahoma, marking the first such plant to be built in the United States since 1980. The $4 billion project is expected to nearly double U.S. aluminium output, adding 600,000 tonnes of annual production capacity at a time when...
Current Platinum Price Trends As of Q2 2025, platinum prices are showing modest recovery from their 2023 lows. The metal is currently trading around $950–$1,000 per ounce, up from sub-$900 levels seen during the economic slowdown of 2023. Key drivers of recent price behavior include: Despite historically being more expensive than gold, platinum price is...
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...
Unique Physical and Chemical Properties Nickel is a lustrous, silver-white metal known for its magnetism, durability, and corrosion resistance. It is one of only a few elements that is ferromagnetic at room temperature, making it valuable in a wide range of magnetic and electronic applications. Key characteristics of nickel include: Because of its mechanical strength...
Current Nickel Price Trends The nickel market has seen significant volatility in recent months. As of early 2025, nickel prices have recovered slightly from the sharp downturn experienced in mid-2023, driven by oversupply and subdued demand in China. Benchmark prices on the London Metal Exchange (LME) have hovered around $16,000 to $17,500 per metric ton...
Spot gold traded at around $3,239 per ounce in early Asian hours on Wednesday, after a modest recovery on Tuesday that saw prices close 0.46% higher at $3,249.90/oz. The rebound came after a more than 2.7% drop on Monday but may be short-lived, according to analysts. Christian Borjon Valencia of FXStreet noted that Tuesday’s rally...
Global copper production overview The global copper industry continues to expand, driven by accelerating demand from energy transition technologies, electric vehicles, and infrastructure projects. In 2024, global copper production reached approximately 22.8 million metric tons, with significant contributions from Chile, Peru, China, and the Democratic Republic of Congo. Chile remains the leading producer, accounting for...
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...
U.S.-based Merritt, a long-standing manufacturer of livestock and gooseneck trailers, has acquired British Columbia-based Magnum Trailer & Equipment in a move aimed at expanding its aluminium product offerings for the heavy-duty trucking industry across North America. The acquisition brings Merritt’s total workforce to more than 520 employees across five locations, with over 400,000 square feet...
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...
Rio Tinto, in partnership with Indium Corporation, has successfully extracted its first primary gallium as part of a research and development project aimed at establishing a North American supply of this critical mineral. The gallium was sourced from bauxite processed at Rio Tinto’s Vaudreuil alumina refinery in Saguenay, Quebec—the only alumina refinery in Canada. The...
