News

  • EDC to Provide $70M Financing for Ontario’s Seymour Lake Lithium Project

    BY John Davis
    Export Development Canada (EDC) has committed up to C$100 million ($70 million) ($70 million) in financing for the development of the Seymour Lake lithium project in Ontario. This project, operated by Australia’s Green Technology Metals, is poised to become Ontario’s first lithium producer and a cornerstone of the province’s critical mineral supply chains for the...
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  • China’s Export Ban on Gallium and Germanium Poses Supply Chain Challenges for the US

    BY Sophia Schmitz
    China has imposed a ban on exporting gallium and germanium to the United States, escalating trade tensions between the two nations. These minerals are critical for industries ranging from renewable energy to military technology and electronics, and the ban could have far-reaching implications. Gallium and germanium are essential components in technologies such as computer chips,...
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  • Lithium Prices Decline for Second Year Amid Shifting Market Dynamics

    BY Lars Jensen
    As 2024 draws to a close, lithium prices have declined for the second consecutive year, marking a significant fall from their December 2022 peak of $85 per kilogram for lithium hydroxide. Prices have plunged nearly 90%, but recent signs indicate the sharpest phase of the decline may be over. Narrowing price drops and reduced discounts...
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  • SK Nexilis Secures $133 Million Polish Subsidy for Copper Foil Manufacturing

    BY Lara Browne
    SK Nexilis, the world’s largest producer of copper foil, has been awarded a $133 million subsidy by the Polish government under the European Union’s Temporary Crisis and Transition Framework (TCTF) program. The Korean company announced that the subsidy, equivalent to 545 million Polish zloty, will enhance its cooperation with Poland on clean energy initiatives and...
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  • Vedanta Reports Record Aluminium and Zinc Production in 1H FY24

    BY Sophia Schmitz
    Vedanta announced achieving its highest-ever quarterly and half-yearly aluminium production, reaching 1,205 kilotonnes (kt) in the first half of the financial year. Alumina production also surged 21% year-on-year (YoY). Following this update, the company’s stock dipped 2%, reaching a low of Rs 501 ($6.03) on the BSE. The company’s Zinc India operations also recorded a...
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  • Rusal to Begin Design of $4 Billion Alumina Refinery in Leningrad Region

    BY Lars Jensen
    Rusal is set to commence the design phase for a major alumina refinery in the Lomonosov district of Russia’s Leningrad region. The project includes surveying land for a port terminal and road infrastructure, paving the way for the construction of the Leningrad Alumina Plant (LAP). In 2022, Rusal established LLC ‘Leningrad Alumina Plant’ with an...
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  • EGA Utilizes Green Loan for U.S. Aluminium Recycling Firm Acquisition

    BY John Davis
    Emirates Global Aluminium (EGA), one of the world’s largest aluminium producers, has leveraged a green loan facility to acquire a majority stake in Spectro Alloys, a U.S.-based aluminium recycling company. The loan, supported by multiple international banks, enables EGA to access a larger liquidity pool to fund low-carbon projects while optimizing borrowing costs. In September...
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  • China’s Copper Smelters Set Lower Processing Charges for Q1 2025

    BY John Davis
    China’s leading copper smelters have agreed on reduced price guidance for copper concentrate processing and refining charges (TC/RCs) for the first quarter of 2025, reflecting a continued shortage of copper concentrates. The new rates, agreed upon at a meeting of the China Smelters Purchase Team in Shanghai, are set at $25 per metric ton and...
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  • Hyundai Mobis Unveils Advanced Cooling Technology for EV Batteries

    BY John Davis
    On December 17, 2023, Hyundai Mobis, the automotive parts arm of Hyundai Motor Group, announced its readiness to commercialize a cutting-edge battery cell cooling material. This innovation, known as the “Pulsating Heat Pipe,” aims to improve both the charging efficiency and safety of electric vehicles (EVs). The Pulsating Heat Pipe system is constructed from aluminium...
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  • Ganfeng Lithium Launches Major Processing Plant in Mali Amid Challenges

    BY Lara Browne
    China’s Ganfeng Lithium has officially commenced operations at its Goulamina lithium mine in Mali, overcoming security concerns, a stringent new mining code, and a global lithium supply glut. Located in the southern Bougouni region, the mine’s first phase began production in mid-December 2024, with an annual capacity of 506,000 tonnes of lithium. The second phase...
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  • US Aluminium Can Recycling Rates Decline Amid Growing Sustainability Efforts

    BY John Davis
    Recent data from the Aluminum Association and the Can Manufacturers Institute (CMI) reveal a decline in the recycling rate of aluminium beverage cans in the United States. In 2023, only 43% of aluminium cans shipped were recycled, a significant drop from the historical average of 52% since tracking began in 1990. While this rate remains...
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  • Lithium Americas and GM Finalize Joint Venture for Thacker Pass Project

    BY Lara Browne
    Lithium Americas has announced the completion of its joint venture (JV) with General Motors Holdings to fund, develop, construct, and operate the Thacker Pass lithium project in Humboldt County, Nevada. The project aims to supply battery-quality lithium carbonate for the North American critical minerals supply chain. Under the terms of the JV, Lithium Americas retains...
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  • China’s Aluminium Prices Decline Amid Weak Demand

    BY Lara Browne
    According to a survey by Shanghai Metals Market (SMM), China’s primary aluminium prices and input costs have declined, reflecting muted demand for the commodities. Bauxite emerged as the only exception, with its domestic price remaining stable and its imported price increasing by $0.08 per tonne to $105.84 per tonne. A00 Aluminium Ingot Price On December...
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  • Codelco Seeks to Extend Gabriela Mistral Mine Life to 2055

    BY John Davis
    Chile’s state-owned copper producer Codelco has applied for an environmental permit to extend the life of its Gabriela Mistral mine by more than 25 years. The proposed $800 million project would push the current closure date from 2028 to at least 2055, ensuring continued production at the Antofagasta region mine, which has been operational since...
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  • Rusal Seeks to Disrupt Nornickel’s Strategic Projects

    BY John Davis
    Rusal, Russia’s primary aluminum producer, has allegedly taken steps to disrupt several key investment projects by Nornickel, one of the world’s leading producers of non-ferrous and precious metals. According to a source close to Interros, Nornickel’s majority shareholder, Rusal’s actions have targeted initiatives critical to Nornickel’s growth and environmental goals. Among these is Nornickel’s ambitious...
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  • Copper Market to Shift from Surplus in 2024 to Balance in 2025: Nornickel

    BY Lars Jensen
    The global copper market is projected to see a surplus of 200,000 tonnes in 2024 before achieving balance in 2025, according to Nornickel’s latest market analysis. The company attributes this trend to growing demand spurred by renewable energy, electric vehicles, and rising global electricity consumption. While concerns about long-term copper supply shortages persist, recent investments...
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  • Nornickel Pursues New Uses to Offset Palladium Demand Drop

    BY John Davis
    Nornickel, the world’s leading palladium producer, is aiming to counter declining demand from internal combustion engine vehicles by developing innovative applications for the metal. The company expects annual palladium demand in China to increase by 5-10 tonnes (7.6-15% of current consumption) from 2026-2027 through these efforts. Currently, over 80% of global palladium use comes from...
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  • Global Nickel Surplus Persists as Prices Face Continued Pressure

    BY John Davis
    The global nickel market marked its third consecutive year of surplus in 2024, with oversupply heavily concentrated in the high-grade nickel sector. According to Nornickel, exchange stocks of nickel more than doubled during the year, surpassing 100,000 metric tons. When including over-the-counter inventories, global Class 1 nickel stockpiles are projected to grow by as much...
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