China’s exports of unwrought aluminum and assorted aluminum products have faced downward pressure in 2025, with total exports for the first quarter falling by more than 7% to 1.37 million tons. This structural decline persists despite short-term rebounds driven by favorable price arbitrage, as deep-seated international trade barriers and powerful domestic consumption continue to reshape...
READ MOREPlatinum and palladium are platinum group metals (PGM), a classification which also includes iridium, osmium, rhodium and ruthenium. Both metals are highly valued for their rarity, durability and wide-ranging applications, which makes them particularly important in the automotive industry, jewellery making and clean energy. Today, the importance of these metals to global markets is growing,...
READ MOREEmirates Global Aluminium to Increase Solar Aluminium Supplies Emirates Global Aluminium (EGA) has deepened its long-standing relationship with Hyundai Mobis, the major South Korean automotive components manufacturer, by signing a new agreement to significantly increase the supply of its CelestiAL brand solar-powered aluminium. The new agreement is a continuation of their collaboration, reflecting a mutual...
READ MOREHunan Zhongke Electric, one of China’s leading lithium-ion battery anode material suppliers, has committed to investing $1.1 billion (8 billion yuan) in a manufacturing facility at Oman’s Sohar Port and Freezone, marking the largest battery materials investment in the Middle East. The project will establish an integrated production base with annual capacity of 200,000 metric...
READ MOREThe world’s second-largest aluminum producer by volume Rusal’s shareholders voted against providing extensive internal documentation to Sual Partners, the aluminum producer’s largest minority shareholder, during an extraordinary general meeting held in Russia. The decision blocks Sual Partners from accessing decades of correspondence, board communications, and investment records that the company had demanded by May 30,...
READ MORENornickel, Russia’s largest metals company and the world’s leading producer of refined nickel and palladium, and Ecofes, a Russian water purification equipment manufacturer, have completed industrial testing of palladium-enhanced electrodes that reduce power consumption by 18.6% in sodium hypochlorite production for water treatment facilities. The first commercial installation of 560 palladium anodes is now operational...
READ MOREDeep-Sea Mining Attracts Investor Interest The Metals Company, a US-based firm, conducted a presentation showcasing ore samples extracted from 4-kilometer depths in international waters. The event drew representatives from major global non-ferrous metals companies, including Mitsubishi, Glencore, and Panasonic Energy. The samples demonstrated high concentrations of nickel, cobalt, and copper, highlighting the potential of deep-sea...
READ MOREFrench mining group Eramet is evaluating lithium extraction opportunities in Kazakhstan’s Aral Sea region while examining rutile and zirconium sand deposits across the country. Aerospace manufacturer Safran is simultaneously exploring potential rhenium supply agreements with Kazakhstan, according to Industry and Construction Minister Ersayin Nagaspayev during the Kazakh-French Investment Forum held in Astana on May 28....
READ MOREGerman copper producer Aurubis recorded a net profit of 76 million euros ($83.6 million) in the first quarter of 2025, representing a 28% decline from the same period last year. The company attributed the profit reduction to higher energy costs and decreased remuneration payments from mining partners for smelting and refining services. Despite profitability challenges,...
READ MORECodelco, the world’s largest copper producer, has partnered with engineering platform ennomotive to launch a global innovation challenge aimed at eliminating mineral dust emissions during transport. The initiative seeks practical, scalable solutions for agglomerating fine mineral dust generated during mining and handling, with the goal of achieving emissions-free transport and enabling the reuse of dust...
READ MORENigeria is set to commission two large lithium processing plants this year, marking a major step away from exporting raw minerals and toward building value within the country. Mining Minister Dele Alake announced that a $600 million lithium processing facility near the Kaduna-Niger border will be commissioned this quarter, while a $200 million refinery near...
READ MORETransition Elements Plans Lithium Exploration in Southern France Transition Elements, a Norwegian company, has submitted an application to the prefecture of the Hérault department in southern France for an exclusive license to explore and prospect for lithium deposits. The company’s proposal covers a 218-square-kilometer area, where it intends to conduct a multi-phase geological exploration program....
READ MOREThe International Energy Agency (IEA) has warned that global copper demand, driven by the transition to low-carbon energy systems, will outpace supply by as much as 30% by 2035 if new investments and projects do not materialize. The agency’s latest Global Critical Minerals Outlook highlights that copper—a metal essential for electrical grids, renewable energy, and...
READ MORERio Tinto and Chile’s state-owned Codelco have signed a binding agreement to form a joint venture aimed at developing and operating a major lithium project at the Salar de Maricunga in northern Chile. Under the terms of the agreement, Rio Tinto will acquire a 49.99% stake in Salar de Maricunga SpA, the entity holding the...
READ MOREHammerer Aluminium Industries (HAI) has inaugurated a new extrusion production hall in Gumi, Gyeongsangbuk-do province, South Korea. The 13,800 square meter facility, constructed with an investment of approximately $49.8 million (converted from €46 million), features a fully automated extrusion line with a pressing force of 60 meganewtons and comprehensive upstream and downstream systems. The facility,...
READ MOREPhysical 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...
READ MORECurrent Aluminum Price Trends The aluminum market in 2025 reflects ongoing volatility shaped by energy prices, geopolitical tensions, and shifting industrial demand. As of Q2 2025, aluminum prices on the London Metal Exchange (LME) are averaging around $2,300 per metric ton — a modest recovery from the lows of late 2023. Recent fluctuations are driven...
READ MORERio Tinto and Indium Corporation Progress with Gallium Project in Canada Rio Tinto, working in collaboration with Indium Corporation, has completed the first phase of a research initiative aimed at producing gallium, a rare metal. The companies have successfully produced a pilot batch of gallium, marking a key milestone in the project. The next phase...
READ MORENorway-based Transition Elements has applied for an exclusive permit to explore lithium potential in France’s Hérault department, with a 218 km² area under consideration across 22 communes between Bédarieux and Clermont-l’Hérault. The application, submitted in October 2023, is currently under administrative review and has not yet been approved, according to the Hérault prefecture. The project...
READ MOREUnique Physical and Chemical Properties Platinum is a dense, silvery-white metal that stands out for its remarkablea chemical stability, corrosion resistance, and high melting point of 1,768°C (3,214°F). It is part of the platinum group metals (PGMs), known for their catalytic properties and durability. What makes platinum truly unique: These qualities explain why platinum is...
READ MOREGlobal 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...
READ MOREPhysical and chemical properties Platinum and palladium are both members of the platinum group metals (PGMs), sharing several characteristics such as resistance to corrosion and high melting points. However, there are key differences in their physical and chemical profiles: Understanding these physical differences is essential when choosing between platinum vs palladium for either durability or...
READ MORERio Tinto has signed a final joint venture agreement with Japan’s Sumitomo Metal Mining (SMM) for the development of the Winu copper and gold project in the Great Sandy Desert, Western Australia. The deal gives SMM a 30% stake in the project for up to $430.4 million. Under the terms, SMM will pay $195 million...
READ MOREChina imported nearly 3 million tonnes of copper ore and concentrate in April, setting a monthly record as smelters in the country struggle with tight feedstock supply and collapsing treatment charges. The surge in imports is expected to alleviate some pressure in the domestic market, where a growing number of smelters have been operating with...
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