The European Union and the United States may find themselves in a tight race for aluminium supplies from the Middle East, should a ban on Russian aluminium imports materialize. This development, as reported by Reuters, underscores the strategic significance of aluminium, a crucial component in the manufacturing of electric vehicles, among other applications, and its potential impact on Western industries....
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Nickel and Gas Prices Set to Remain Low, Challenging Traditional Market Dynamics
In an era where the conventional wisdom of commodity markets is being challenged, the global nickel and US natural gas sectors stand out as prime examples. The age-old adage “low prices cure low prices, and high prices cure high prices” is seemingly faltering in the face of technological advancements that have drastically reduced production costs. This shift has profound implications...
SQM Leadership Signals Strong Future for Lithium with Bold Investment Strategy
Ricardo Ramos, the CEO of SQM, showcased remarkable optimism for the lithium market’s future, especially highlighting an aggressive investment strategy during the recent inauguration of the Mt Holland lithium project. Despite current lithium prices not being at their peak, Ramos foresees a positive trajectory for the market by the year’s end and anticipates further improvements into the next year. His...
Global Tin Production Dips in 2023 Amidst Varied Production Shifts
The global refined tin market witnessed a modest decline in production in 2023, with output falling by 2.1% to reach 370,100 tonnes from the previous year. The concentration of production was notable, with approximately 59% of the world’s tin originating from just ten leading smelters, which collectively saw an increase in output by 856 tonnes. Yunnan Tin retained its status...
French Government Supports New Caledonia’s Nickel Industry with Financial Assistance and Reform Pact
The French government has stepped in to provide critical financial support to the struggling nickel industry in New Caledonia, a move that underscores the significant challenges facing this key economic sector. In a recent agreement with mining giant Eramet, France has decided to convert €320 million of previous loans into “quasi-equities” to alleviate the debt burden of Eramet’s New Caledonia...
Sprott Asset Management Introduces New Copper Miners ETF to Enhance Energy Transition Investment Opportunities
Sprott Asset Management has expanded its portfolio of critical materials-focused exchange-traded funds (ETFs) with the launch of the Sprott Copper Miners ETF. This unique ETF stands as the sole U.S. listed offering that provides investors with pure-play exposure to a broad range of copper mining companies, encompassing large, mid, and small-cap entities. These companies play a pivotal role in supplying...
China Sees Modest Increase in Copper Imports Due to Rising Domestic Demand
In a sign of recovering economic activity, China reported a 2.6% increase in its unwrought copper imports during January and February of 2024, as compared to the same period in the previous year. This uptick, as detailed by the General Administration of Customs, reflects an improvement in domestic demand for the metal, with the total imports reaching 902,000 metric tons,...
Exploring the Green Synthesis of Copper Nanoparticles using Alstonia Scholaris
In a notable advance within the realm of eco-friendly nanotechnology, a recent study has explored the utilization of Alstonia Scholaris, a widely recognized medicinal plant, for the production of copper nanoparticles (Cu-NPs). This research delves into the phytochemical properties of Alstonia Scholaris leaves extracted using various solvents and their subsequent application in the green synthesis of Cu-NPs. The study commenced...
Metalshub and LME Eye ‘Green’ Nickel Market Development Amid Rising ESG Demand
Amidst growing calls for environmentally sustainable practices within the mining sector, the London Metal Exchange (LME) and Metalshub, an online trading platform, are addressing market demand for “green” nickel, essential for electric vehicle batteries and other green technologies. Despite the LME’s reservation about launching a separate contract for green nickel due to current market limitations, Metalshub is pioneering an index...
New Mining and Ore Processing Plant to Boost Amur Region’s North Development
In a significant development for the Amur Region’s economy, a meeting chaired by Governor Vasily Orlov has outlined plans for the development of the large Kun-Manye copper-nickel deposit. The project, spearheaded by the investor Highland Gold Group, is set to culminate in the construction of a mining and processing plant, with an anticipated launch date in 2028. Mikhail Denisov, Director...