
Emirates 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...
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Deep-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...
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Transition 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....
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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...
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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...
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Rio 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...
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Unique 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...
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Nickel’s Role in EV Battery Technology Nickel plays a critical role in modern electric vehicle (EV) batteries, particularly in lithium-ion chemistries such as nickel-manganese-cobalt (NMC) and nickel-cobalt-aluminum (NCA). These nickel-rich cathodes are central to achieving higher energy density, which translates to longer driving ranges and better performance for EVs. In battery cells, nickel contributes to...
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Synthesis Methods of Platinum Nanoparticles Platinum nanoparticles (PtNPs) can be synthesized through a variety of chemical, physical, and biological approaches, each offering specific advantages in terms of particle size, shape, and stability. 1. Chemical Reduction Methods This is the most common approach, where platinum salts (e.g., H₂PtCl₆) are reduced using agents like sodium borohydride, hydrazine,...
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Global Copper Surplus to Persist Through 2026 Global refined copper production is projected to increase by 2.9% in 2025, reaching 28.9 million tonnes, according to the International Copper Study Group. The rise is attributed to growing output in China and the commissioning of new facilities in countries including Indonesia, India and the Democratic Republic of...
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Lyten Launches All-American Lithium Foil Production Lyten, a US-based developer of lithium-sulphur batteries, has produced a pilot batch of lithium foil using exclusively domestic raw materials. The company has fully localised the supply chain for materials used in sulphur cathodes and is now replicating this achievement for lithium anodes. This strategy eliminates dependence on foreign...
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Indonesia changes taxation on mineral extraction The Indonesian government has introduced a new approach to mineral extraction taxation, now tying royalty rates to market prices. This system, which is expected to come into force soon, replaces the previous fixed rate for nickel ore mining with a sliding scale ranging from 14% to 19%, depending on...
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Global Zinc Market Falls into Pessimism Zinc prices on the London Metal Exchange have continued their downward trend since early March, currently stabilising at around $2,600 per tonne. This prolonged decline underscores growing pessimism among global market participants, who are increasingly concerned about the widening imbalance between supply and demand. One of the main contributing...
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China Strikes Back at the U.S. with Rare Earth Export Controls Chinese authorities have announced stricter export regulations covering seven strategic rare earth elements: scandium, dysprosium, gadolinium, terbium, lutetium, samarium, and yttrium. Under the updated measures, companies must obtain special export licences from the Ministry of Commerce. Applicants must justify the intended usage of the...
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Global Copper Deficit May Deepen Global copper production increased by 2% year-on-year in January 2025 to 1.905 million tonnes (pure metal), with concentrate output rising by 2.9% and electrolytic recovery declining by 0.9%, according to the International Copper Study Group. Output rose in Peru (+7%), the Democratic Republic of Congo (+6%), and Asia (+3%), but...
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China Increases Primary Aluminium Output China’s primary aluminium production grew by 2.6% in the first two months of 2025, reaching 7.3 million tonnes, according to the National Bureau of Statistics. This rise is largely attributed to a decline in alumina prices, which improved smelter profitability. In early January, alumina contracts on the Shanghai Futures Exchange...
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Platinum Deficit Forecast to Widen Global platinum production is expected to decline by 5% in 2025 to 5.5 million ounces, according to the World Platinum Investment Council (WPIC). South Africa, the world’s largest producer, is projected to see a 6% drop in output to 3.9 million ounces. North American production is set to decrease by...
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U.S. Investigates Copper Import Dependence Amid National Security Concerns The U.S. Department of Commerce is set to assess the national security implications of copper imports, following a directive from President Donald Trump. The investigation aims to determine whether protective measures are necessary for the American copper industry. Currently, the U.S. produces 850,000 tonnes of refined...
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Novelis Tests Hydrogen for Scrap Aluminium Remelting US metals producer Novelis has conducted a series of tests utilizing hydrogen in a scrap aluminium remelting furnace at its Latchford facility in the UK. The trials demonstrated a 90% reduction in carbon dioxide emissions compared to natural gas use. The process required modifications, including the installation of...
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Aluminium Prices Poised for Decline Amid Rising Production and Stockpiles Global aluminium prices are displaying volatility and may soon face downward pressure as China ramps up production following the extended Chinese New Year celebrations. The resumption of business activity is expected to boost aluminium output, adding to an already well-supplied market. Additional pressure on aluminium...
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US Imposes 25% Tariff on Aluminium Imports The United States is set to impose a 25% tariff on aluminium imports, affecting shipments from all countries. However, the exact implementation date and additional details have yet to be disclosed by US authorities. During his first term, former President Donald Trump had already introduced a 10% tariff...
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US Eyes Ukrainian Rare Earths in Exchange for Continued Support US President Donald Trump has expressed interest in securing access to Ukraine’s rare earth metals in return for ongoing American assistance. This proposal aligns with a broader strategy unveiled by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, who presented a plan for joint development of Ukraine’s rare earth...
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First Primary Aluminium Smelter in the US in Nearly 50 Years Century Aluminum has begun construction of a new primary aluminium smelter, marking the first such facility built in the US in 45 years. While the exact location has yet to be determined, the company is considering sites near the Ohio or Mississippi rivers. The...
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The Global Zinc Market Enters an Era of Surplus The global zinc market is poised for a surplus of 270,000 tonnes in 2025, following a deficit of 184,000 tonnes in 2024. This surplus is expected to exert downward pressure on zinc prices, which BMI forecasts will decline by 5.8% in 2025 to an average of...
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