Nanthakumar Victor Emmanuel, P.Eng

Author Archives: Nanthakumar Victor Emmanuel, P.Eng

Western #Canada holds potential to become a ‘critical minerals processing behemoth,’ expert says

Posted on June 26, 2025 by Nanthakumar Victor Emmanuel, P.Eng Leave a comment

A group of battery metal exploration companies and startups says it has a plan to turbocharge Canada’s critical minerals sector by building out “midstream” mineral processing facilities in Western Canada.

Two reports published by the Battery Metals Association of Canada, which hired analysts at the Transition Accelerator to consult with their members, identified nine critical minerals — copper, graphite, iron, nickel, lithium, phosphate, rare earths and vanadium — and five regions where they see big opportunities for major projects.

For example, British Columbia has at least four producing copper mines, which all ship their copper concentrate overseas, primarily to China, because there are no smelters in Western Canada. Building a copper smelter could encourage copper production and exploration while also creating higher-value products to sell, the reports said.

“If you wanted to put together a critical minerals processing behemoth anywhere in the world, the assets that we have in Alberta to do that are just phenomenal,” Bentley Allan, a professor of political economy at Johns Hopkins University and a principal at Transition Accelerator, said. “It has the chemical processing expertise, the clean power resources, other kinds of machining and precision instruments, which make Alberta a really incredible place to do this.”

#India to roll out incentive scheme for rare earth production 15-20 days

Posted on June 25, 2025 by Nanthakumar Victor Emmanuel, P.Eng Leave a comment

With the rare earth material supply crisis looming large, the government is set to launch an incentive programme to encourage domestic production of these minerals. The government will roll out a scheme to subsidise domestic production of rare earth magnets in 15-20 days, Heavy Industries Minister H D Kumaraswamy said on Tuesday.

The minister said that consultation with stakeholders is underway to decide the amount of the incentive programme. According to ministry officials, if the total incentive crosses Rs 1,000 crore, the scheme will be sent to the Union cabinet for approval.

The latest crisis emanates from stricter controls imposed by China on the export of seven rare earth elements and finished magnets. This revised framework demands detailed end-use disclosures and client declarations, including confirmation that products will not be used in defense or re-exported to the US. This added scrutiny has prolonged the clearance process to at least 45 days, leading to significant delays and a growing backlog that is tightening global supply chains. China is the world’s dominant exporter of rare earth magnets, controlling over 70% of global Rare Earth Element (REE) production and over 90% of refining capacity.

Metals

“The West will win.” – #Oklahoma strives to become #American hub for critical minerals processing

Posted on June 18, 2025 by Nanthakumar Victor Emmanuel, P.Eng Leave a comment

Oklahoma has become the epicenter for U.S. critical minerals processing, a sector the country largely abandoned decades ago.
The state will have to overcome several obstacles to get there, including a lack of major critical mineral deposits, a weak education system and its location at the center of the United States – far from international shipping lanes.

Yet Oklahoma’s push into minerals processing marks an unexpected twist in the country’s efforts to wean itself off Chinese rivals who have blocked exports.

President Donald Trump has said he wants to boost U.S. production of minerals used across the economy. In Oklahoma, the country’s only nickel refinery, its largest lithium refinery, two lithium-ion battery recycling plants, a rare earths magnet facility, and several electronic waste collection facilities are under construction or in operation – more than in any other state.

Metals

#G7 leaders announce plan to counter #China’s dominance of #CriticalMinerals

Posted on June 18, 2025 by Nanthakumar Victor Emmanuel, P.Eng Leave a comment

Prime Minister Mark Carney says G7 countries and their allies will form a “critical mineral production alliance” to stockpile and develop materials that are essential for defense systems and advanced technologies.

He also said Canada has immense potential to become a supplier of critical minerals and rare earths to allies that have grown increasingly concerned about China‘s dominance in the sector.

Earlier, G7 leaders announced plans to shore up their supply chains with the help of Australia, India and South Korea in a bid to counter “non-market” policies and practices that have threatened the ability of Western countries and their allies to access essential critical minerals and rare earth elements.

Bring the investment to Canada.

#Canada needs CAD 65 billion mining investment to meet demand: study

Metals

#Canada needs CAD 65 billion mining investment to meet demand: study

Posted on June 14, 2025 by Nanthakumar Victor Emmanuel, P.Eng One comment

Canada needs to increase investment in critical minerals by CAD 65 billion ($48 billion) to meet expected growth in both domestic and global demand, a new study finds.

According to the Canadian Climate Institute, the country should open more than 30 new mines of six priority minerals – copper, nickel, lithium, graphite, cobalt, and rare earth elements – between now and 2040. Upstream investment of CAD 30 billion would be enough to meet domestic demand, rising to CAD 65 billion to produce enough to export.

If mining output does not ramp up, Canada would miss out on a CAD 12 billion opportunity from domestic industry alone, researchers warn.

Yet, investor confidence in the critical minerals space has been wavering amid persistent price volatility, Kallanish writes. The Canadian Climate Institute argues that governments can help build certainty by sharing risks through targeted policies and programmes, such as equity investments, offtake agreements, or contracts for difference.

Note: Canada is a resource-rich country. Canada does not have to go to another continent for critical mineral. Canada needs investment and technology development (refining and recycling).

Bring the investment to Canada.

#Nigeria to open two #Chinese-backed #Lithium processing plants this year

#Trump’s tax-cut bill could hold back #US critical minerals projects

Posted on June 13, 2025 by Nanthakumar Victor Emmanuel, P.Eng Leave a comment

WASHINGTON, June 12 (Reuters) – U.S. President Donald Trump’s tax and spending bill would make it harder for American critical minerals companies to compete with China because it eliminates a tax credit for boosting domestic production of nickel, rare earths and other materials used in advanced electronics and weaponry.

With Trump and Republican lawmakers aiming to cut government support for green energy projects, the U.S. House of Representatives passed a version of his “One Big Beautiful Bill Act” last month that eliminates the so-called 45X credit.

Metals

Africa’s critical mineral opportunity: from extraction zone into manufacturing and innovation hub

Posted on June 3, 2025 by Nanthakumar Victor Emmanuel, P.Eng Leave a comment

Let incentivize

Let de-risk mining

Let invest

Let transfer the technology know-how

Let work together to support the global energy transition

Let stop dividing the continents with your words and actions.

Africa, home to one-third of the world’s critical mineral reserves, stands at a crossroads: remain a source of raw exports or become a central player in the global energy transition.

Despite abundant resources — including cobalt, lithium, copper, and rare earth elements — Africa received just 10.4% of global mineral exploration investment in 2024, down from 16% in 2004. This investment gap persists despite Africa offering the highest return on exploration globally. A recent report by the Washington-based Center for Strategic and International Studies emphasizes that mineral exploration is the lifeblood of mining. Without new exploration, future production is jeopardized. The United States and its allies are encouraged to incentivize and de-risk exploration in Africa to reduce reliance on China and bolster supply chain resilience.

Experts urge regional coordination, data investment, and policy stability to attract and retain investors. A case in point is the African Union’s Green Minerals Strategy that promotes integrated value chains fostering local beneficiation, job creation and economic diversification. If managed well, Africa could evolve from an extraction zone into a manufacturing and innovation hub — securing long-term economic gains in a changing energy landscape.

Metals

#Glencore to feed #Australia’s first #Cobalt refinery

Posted on May 29, 2025 by Nanthakumar Victor Emmanuel, P.Eng Leave a comment

Glencore will provide cobalt hydroxide feedstock to Cobalt Blue’s Kwinana refinery in Western Australia, which is set to become the country’s first cobalt refinery.

Under the terms of the contract, Glencore will supply Cobalt Blue with up to 50 per cent of Kwinana’s feedstock requirements for a three-year period, taking effect from when the refinery commences commercial operations.

The contract guarantees supply for 3750 tonnes (t) of cobalt hydroxide minimum, with 750t to be delivered in the first year and 1500t in both the second and third year.

The feedstock will be sourced from Kamoto Copper Company, of which Glencore owns 75 per cent, and Mutanda Mining SARL, both located in the Democratic Republic of Congo.

Metals

#Nigeria to open two #Chinese-backed #Lithium processing plants this year

Posted on May 26, 2025 by Nanthakumar Victor Emmanuel, P.Eng One comment

Note: Canada is a resource-rich country. Canada does not have to go to another continent for critical mineral. Canada needs investment and technology development (refining and recycling). Bring the investment to Canada.

LAGOS, May 26 (Reuters) – Nigeria is set to commission two major lithium processing plants this year, the country’s mining minister announced on Sunday, marking a shift from raw mineral exports towards adding value domestically.

The facilities, largely funded by Chinese investors, could help transform Nigeria’s vast mineral wealth into jobs, technology, and manufacturing growth within the country. Mining Minister Dele Alake said a $600 million lithium processing plant near the Kaduna-Niger border is slated for commissioning this quarter, while a $200 million lithium refinery on the outskirts of Abuja is nearing completion. Two additional processing plants are expected in Nasarawa state, which borders the capital Abuja, before the third quarter of 2025, the minister said. “We are now focused on turning our mineral wealth into domestic economic value – jobs, technology, and manufacturing,” Alake said. Over 80% of the funding for the four facilities has been provided by Chinese firms, including Jiuling Lithium Mining Company and Canmax Technologies, according to separate announcements by governors of the states where the plants are located.

Yes, Canada is considered a resource-rich country. It has abundant natural resources, including:

Energy Resources:
- Oil and Natural Gas: Canada has some of the largest reserves of oil in the world, particularly in the oil sands of Alberta. It is a major exporter of oil and natural gas, especially to the United States.
- Hydroelectric Power: Canada is a leader in hydroelectricity production, with large dams and water resources, especially in provinces like Quebec and British Columbia.
Minerals and Metals:
- Gold, Silver, and Platinum: Canada has significant reserves of precious metals, making it one of the largest producers of gold and other precious metals.
- Nickel, Copper, and Zinc: The country is a leading producer of these metals, which are essential for various industries, including manufacturing and electronics.
- Uranium: Canada is one of the world’s top producers of uranium, used in nuclear power generation.
Forests:
- Canada has vast forest resources, making it one of the largest producers of timber and paper products. The forest industry is especially important in provinces like British Columbia and Quebec.
Agricultural Resources:
- Canada is a major producer of wheat, canola, and other crops. It also has extensive livestock farming, including cattle and poultry.
Freshwater:
- Canada holds around 20% of the world’s freshwater supply, making it an important resource for both domestic use and potential global trade.

These resources contribute significantly to Canada’s economy, especially through exports, and help maintain its position as one of the world’s wealthiest nations in terms of natural wealth