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....
READ MOREEuropean aluminium scrap exports to the United States have surged 273% in the first quarter of 2025 compared to the same period last year, threatening to create critical shortages for European recyclers as US tariffs drive unprecedented demand for scrap metal. The crisis stems from the US doubling Section 232 tariffs on aluminium imports from...
READ MOREResearchers 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...
READ MOREEmirates Global Aluminium, the UAE’s largest industrial company outside the energy sector and the world’s biggest premium aluminum producer, has expanded its solar-powered aluminum supply agreement with Hyundai Mobis, South Korea’s automotive parts manufacturer. The expanded contract will nearly double annual deliveries of CelestiAL solar aluminum from 8,000 tonnes this year to 15,000 tonnes by...
READ MOREAnne Oxley, co-founder and Chief Technical Officer of Brazilian Nickel, has been elected Chairperson of the Nickel Institute, the global trade association representing leading nickel producers worldwide. The appointment, announced on June 3, 2025, positions Oxley to lead the industry’s efforts in promoting responsible nickel production and supporting the metal’s role in the transition to...
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 MOREA looming global copper shortage could undermine the world’s efforts to expand clean energy and digital infrastructure, according to a new report from the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD). The agency describes copper as “the new strategic raw material” essential for technologies ranging from electric vehicles and solar panels to AI infrastructure...
READ MOREAs industries accelerate efforts to decarbonize, nickel’s role in batteries and stainless steel has become increasingly vital. However, conventional nickel production is highly carbon-intensive, emitting about 20 tons of CO₂ for every ton of nickel produced. With global demand for nickel expected to double by 2040, largely due to electrification in transport and infrastructure, the...
READ MORETin is rapidly gaining attention as a crucial material in a range of emerging technologies, particularly in the energy sector. Recent research highlights tin’s role in advancing sodium-ion batteries (SIBs), where tin-based anode materials have demonstrated the ability to significantly improve volumetric energy density—a critical factor in making SIBs competitive with established lithium-ion batteries (LIBs)....
READ MORERevoCast has announced plans to construct a new aluminium remelting facility in Langley, British Columbia, Canada, with groundbreaking scheduled for the second quarter of 2025 and commissioning targeted for 2026. The plant will cover approximately 11,148 square meters and is designed to operate with sustainability as a central focus, utilizing high recycled content and advanced...
READ MOREThe United States is moving rapidly to secure its position in the global race for critical minerals following a new executive order signed by President Donald Trump on April 24, 2025. The order, titled “Unleashing America’s Offshore Critical Minerals and Resources,” directs federal agencies to expedite the exploration and extraction of seabed minerals in U.S....
READ MOREIntel Corporation has introduced stringent compliance requirements for its suppliers following the imposition of new 25% tariffs on aluminum and stainless steel imports into the United States. The updated regulations, effective March 12, 2025, eliminate all exemptions and apply to covered metals and their derivatives, significantly impacting industries reliant on these materials. The semiconductor giant’s...
READ MOREAqua Metals, based in Reno, Nevada, has announced the successful completion of bench-scale testing and engineering analysis for its innovative process to recycle lithium iron phosphate (LFP) battery materials. This milestone positions the company as a leader in addressing the recycling challenges posed by LFP batteries, which are becoming the dominant chemistry for electric vehicles...
READ MORESingapore’s three major banks—OCBC, UOB, and DBS—are under scrutiny for their financing of Indonesia’s Harita Nickel, a mining company whose smelting and refining operations rely heavily on coal-powered captive plants. Environmental advocacy group Market Forces flagged the banks for providing loans to Harita despite their pledges not to finance new coal-fired power plants. OCBC tops...
READ MOREVulcan Energy has completed its acquisition of German company Geox, including its geothermal wells, renewable energy infrastructure, and a geothermal and lithium license area near the city of Landau. The move consolidates Vulcan’s control over key upstream assets for its Phase One Lionheart Project. This acquisition replaces a previous joint venture and brine offtake agreement...
READ MOREEhrigite, a newly discovered mineral named after Dr. Kathy Ehrig, has officially been recognized by the International Mineralogical Association (IMA). This groundbreaking discovery was made by Associate Professor Cristiana Ciobanu and Professor Nigel Cook from the University of Adelaide, who identified the sub-microscopic bismuth telluride mineral using atomic-resolution transmission microscopy. The recognition marks a significant...
READ MORECOBCO, a battery materials joint venture between AL MADA and CNGR Advanced Materials, has signed a long-term agreement to supply precursor cathode active materials (pCAM) to Umicore, a global leader in circular materials technology. The deal will see COBCO deliver nickel-cobalt-manganese (NCM) pCAM from its newly commissioned production facility in Jorf Lasfar, Morocco, to support...
READ MOREThe European Union, in collaboration with Fraunhofer Chile, has officially launched the OPTIMINER project in Santiago, Chile. This initiative aims to optimize the extraction and processing of critical raw materials (CRMs) such as copper and lithium, which are essential for renewable energy technologies and global decarbonization efforts. Funded by the Horizon Europe program with €7.3...
READ MOREHyundai Mobis has announced a $42.3 million (KRW 62 billion) deal with Emirates Global Aluminum (EGA) to secure a 15-kiloton supply of low-carbon aluminum to reduce carbon emissions in manufacturing. The South Korean auto parts manufacturer plans to use the material for lightweight mobility solutions, incorporating it into key automobile components like chassis. The exact...
READ MOREFinland’s P2X Solutions has launched the country’s first industrial-scale green hydrogen production plant, the company said in a statement, as green fuel demand in key industries remains weak. Low-emission hydrogen fuel is currently among a few world’s options to transition towards a fossil-free economy. Demand for hydrogen in heavy industry, long-haul transport and energy storage...
READ MOREChina has unveiled a comprehensive plan to enhance the quality and sustainability of its aluminum industry by 2027, setting ambitious targets for resource security, green transformation, and technological innovation. The plan, spearheaded by ten government departments including the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT), arrives as the nation’s aluminum production capacity nears its government-imposed...
READ MOREGreat Wall Motor (GWM) and Baowu Magnesium have signed a strategic cooperation agreement to establish a joint laboratory for magnesium product development aimed at accelerating the application of lightweight magnesium alloy technology in new energy vehicles (NEVs). The agreement was signed at the Haval Technology Center. The partnership aims to support China’s carbon neutrality goals....
READ MOREHindalco Industries plans to invest Rs 45,000 crore (USD 5.4 billion) over the next three years to strengthen its operations in aluminium, copper, and specialty alumina, with a focus on upstream capabilities and high-precision engineered products, according to Aditya Birla Group Chairman Kumar Mangalam Birla. Speaking at the launch of Hindalco’s new brand identity, Birla...
READ MOREThe Japan Bank for International Cooperation (JBIC) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Alumínio Brasileiro S.A. (ALBRAS), Nippon Amazon Aluminium Co. (NAAC), MUFG Bank, and Nippon Export and Investment Insurance (NEXI). This agreement aims to strengthen the low-carbon aluminum supply chain between Brazil and Japan, highlighting the strategic importance of sustainable materials in...
READ MORE
