The bipartisan Congressional Aluminum Caucus has been re-launched, spearheaded by Congresswoman Carol Miller and Representatives Glenn Grothman, Haley Stevens, and Morgan McGarvey. The caucus aims to promote awareness of the U.S. aluminum industry, address key challenges, and highlight the metal’s essential role in modern manufacturing. Congresswoman Miller emphasized the economic and industrial significance of aluminum,...
READ MORECobalt prices have fallen to their lowest levels in nearly a decade, with the battery material trading at $11.02 per pound as of January 23. The price drop reflects record-high production levels, which continue to exert downward pressure on the market. The world’s largest cobalt producer, CMOC Group, achieved a record output of 114,165 tons...
READ MOREPeru’s copper production could reach three million metric tons annually, according to Energy and Mines Minister Jorge Montero. The Tía María project in Arequipa is progressing, with broader mining investments totaling $4.88 billion in 2024. The sector generated 230,000 jobs, producing 2.71 million metric tons of copper and $43 billion in mineral exports by November....
READ MOREScientists and companies in the U.S. are exploring novel ways to secure critical minerals, including a method called phytomining, which uses plants to extract metals like nickel from soil. This approach, backed by federal funding, aims to reduce reliance on traditional mining and mitigate China’s dominance in critical minerals. Phytomining relies on hyperaccumulators—plants that absorb...
READ MORELead and zinc, often extracted together from the same mines, have experienced strikingly different market trends in recent months. Zinc prices surged to a 20-month high of $3,284 per metric ton in October 2024 on the London Metal Exchange (LME), driven by tight raw material supplies. In contrast, lead prices have languished, burdened by surging...
READ MOREA team from Leiden University and the SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory has identified the root cause of platinum electrode corrosion, a discovery that could enhance green hydrogen production and improve electrochemical sensors. The findings were published in Nature Materials. While platinum is known for its durability, the study revealed that negatively polarized platinum electrodes degrade...
READ MOREIndonesia has approved a 2025 nickel mining quota of 298.5 million wet metric tons, up from 271.89 million tons in 2024, according to the country’s nickel miners’ association (APNI). This announcement contradicts earlier reports of a potential production cut, with APNI Secretary General Meidy Katrin Lengkey confirming the figure during a parliamentary hearing. Earlier in...
READ MOREGold prices climbed to nearly three-month highs on Wednesday, January 22, reaching $2,763.42 per ounce during the session before closing at $2,756.10 per ounce. The rise comes despite a strengthening U.S. dollar, as strong safe-haven demand pushed gold prices decisively above the psychological $2,750 per ounce level. Market analysts attribute the surge to growing investor...
READ MOREThe electric vehicle (EV) market and renewable energy adoption are driving unprecedented demand for battery metals like nickel, cobalt, and lithium. These materials are central to the cleantech transition, powering EVs, large-scale battery storage systems, and renewable energy technologies. As global EV sales are expected to surpass 20 million units in 2025, nickel demand alone...
READ MOREAlcoa, the largest aluminum producer in the United States, reported a net profit of $60 million for 2024, reversing a loss of $651 million from the previous year. The company attributed its improved performance to lower raw material and energy costs, alongside higher alumina and aluminum prices, though these gains were partially offset by increased...
READ MOREThe Ministry of Energy and Minerals in Oman signed two significant mining concession agreements today, aiming to enhance copper ore exploration and sea salt extraction. The first agreement, signed with Al Haditha Energy, grants rights to prospect and mine in Concession Area No. 22-B, located in North A’Sharqiyah Governorate. The agreement was inked by Eng....
READ MOREChina’s CMOC Group, the world’s largest cobalt miner, plans to sustain high production levels in 2025 following a record-breaking year in 2024. The company, which operates major mining projects in the Democratic Republic of Congo, has set a target to produce between 100,000 and 120,000 tons of cobalt this year. This comes after it achieved...
READ MOREThe global cobalt market in 2025 is expected to remain shaped by oversupply and evolving battery technologies. Prices, subdued since 2023 by excess supply, are projected to stay stable with minimal volatility. However, shifts in trade dynamics, technological advancements, and geopolitical factors continue to influence the market. Global cobalt demand is forecasted to grow substantially...
READ MORECentury Aluminum has entered Phase One of a four-phase agreement under the U.S. Department of Energy’s (DOE) grant initiative, first extended in March 2024. The project aims to strengthen domestic aluminum manufacturing capacity, reduce reliance on imports, and secure critical supply chains vital to national security and economic growth. In March 2024, Century was chosen...
READ MOREAn expert panel of senior civil servants, industry specialists, and media professionals has called for immediate policy measures to support domestic aluminium manufacturers and encourage investment in India’s aluminium industry. The discussion, organized by Bureaucrats India, focused on the challenges faced by the sector, including increasing import reliance and substandard aluminium flooding the domestic market....
READ MOREChina’s ferro-nickel imports rose to 8.98 million tonnes in 2024, reflecting a 6.24% year-on-year increase, according to data from China’s General Administration of Customs (GACC) released on January 20. The growth was primarily fueled by higher shipments from Indonesia, which supplied 8.67 million tonnes of ferro-nickel, up 9.48% from the previous year. The majority of...
READ MOREFirst Quantum Minerals (FQM) achieved strong copper production results in 2024, surpassing its guidance with an annual output of 431,000 tonnes. The performance exceeded the company’s expected range of 400,000-420,000 tonnes, reflecting a year-on-year increase of 54,000 tonnes. The growth was driven by higher ore grades at Kansanshi and increased throughput at Sentinel. Kansanshi delivered...
READ MORESolus Advanced Materials reported a remarkable 60% increase in battery foil sales volume in 2024 compared to the previous year, with expectations for continued growth in 2025. This performance stands out amidst a challenging period for the electric vehicle (EV) market, which saw many battery and material companies facing declining sales. Despite these market conditions,...
READ MOREInvestors in gold and silver may need patience in 2025 as the geopolitical landscape continues to drive market uncertainty. Saxo Bank, in a January 10 note, highlighted the challenges ahead, citing a “tug-of-war” between rising yields, delayed rate cut expectations, and dollar fluctuations, which are expected to contribute to increased volatility compared to 2024. Gold...
READ MOREIn Asian morning trading on Monday, January 20, spot gold experienced a sharp decline, dropping to an intraday low of $2,690.96 per ounce. This marks a continuation of the retreat seen in the previous session, as gold prices closed at $2,702.27 per ounce on Friday, down $12.08 or 0.45%. The decline in gold prices at...
READ MORESaudi Arabia has announced plans to commence lithium mining by 2027, a move aimed at supporting its Vision 2030 initiative for economic diversification. The shift comes amid growing global demand for lithium, driven by the rise of electric vehicles (EVs) and the transition to clean energy. With the support of Aramco and Ma’aden, the kingdom...
READ MORERio Tinto Group plans to establish a dedicated lithium unit, Rio Tinto Lithium, after completing its $6.7 billion acquisition of Arcadium Lithium PLC. According to an internal memo cited by Reuters on January 17, the new division will manage operations at the Rincon lithium project in Argentina. However, the Jadar lithium project in Serbia will...
READ MOREAs the Chinese New Year nears, trading activity in the nickel sulfate market has slowed, with most companies having already completed their procurement. Only a few downstream enterprises continue to make purchases. Amid margin inversions, producers have started to reduce production while holding prices and stockpiling. Additionally, Indonesia’s recently announced nickel ore quota has restricted...
READ MOREZimbabwe’s state-owned Kuvimba Mining House is on track to finalize a $270 million deal with two Chinese companies for its lithium project, CEO Trevor Barnard announced on Monday. The project, centered on the construction of a 600,000 metric tons per year lithium concentrator at the Sandawana mine, continues despite the sharp decline in lithium prices...
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