Category Archives: Metals

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

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.

Read more at: https://www.reuters.com/world/us/trumps-tax-cut-bill-could-hold-back-us-critical-minerals-projects-2025-06-12/

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

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.

Read more at: https://northafricapost.com/87561-africas-critical-mineral-opportunity-from-extraction-zone-into-manufacturing-and-innovation-hub.html

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

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.

Read more at: https://www.australianmining.com.au/glencore-to-feed-australias-first-cobalt-refinery/

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

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.

Read more at: https://www.reuters.com/business/energy/nigeria-open-two-chinese-backed-lithium-processing-plants-this-year-2025-05-26/

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

  1. 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.
  2. 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.
  3. 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.
  4. Agricultural Resources:
    • Canada is a major producer of wheat, canola, and other crops. It also has extensive livestock farming, including cattle and poultry.
  5. 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

#Lynas Becomes First Heavy #RareEarths Producer Outside #China

Lynas Rare Earths Ltd. has become the first commercial producer of so-called ‘heavy’ rare earths outside China, refining dysprosium oxide at its facility in Malaysia, it said in a statement. The production of dysprosium, used in high performance magnets for renewables and electric vehicles, marks a major milestone for the Australian company which already produces light rare earths for smart-phones and defense applications.

Read more at: https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2025-05-15/lynas-becomes-first-heavy-rare-earths-producer-outside-china?embedded-checkout=true

#Trump signs executive order boosting deep-sea mining industry

President Donald Trump on Thursday signed an executive order aimed at boosting the deep-sea mining industry, marking his latest attempt to boost U.S. access to nickel, copper and other critical minerals used widely across the economy.

The order, which Trump signed in private, seeks to jumpstart the mining of both U.S. and international waters as part of a push to offset China’s sweeping control of the critical minerals industry.

https://www.linkedin.com/feed/update/urn:li:activity:6909223927571464192/

Read more at: https://finance.yahoo.com/news/trump-expected-sign-deep-sea-161652297.html

#NASA Engineering Sparks Innovative New Battery 

Nickel-hydrogen technology is safe, durable, and long-lasting – now it’s affordable too.

Battery technology that has powered the International Space Station, the Hubble Space Telescope, and numerous satellites is now storing energy on Earth, enabling intermittent renewable energy sources to provide steady power. 

These extremely durable batteries were made more affordable for the average consumer by California-based EnerVenue Inc., which was able to bring down the cost of the technology by removing the need for expensive platinum, making terrestrial applications more feasible. With the cost-saving innovations, the batteries could be used for power plants, businesses, and homes.  

Read more at: https://www.nasa.gov/technology/tech-transfer-spinoffs/nasa-engineering-sparks-innovative-new-battery/

#MAMA: #Trump to fast-track permitting for 10 mining projects across #US

April 18 (Reuters) – The White House on Friday said it will fast-track permitting for 10 mining projects across the United States as part of President Donald Trump’s push to expand critical minerals production.

The projects – which would supply copper, antimony and other minerals – have been granted FAST-41 status, a federal initiative launched in 2015 to streamline approvals of critical infrastructure.

https://www.reuters.com/sustainability/trump-fast-track-permitting-10-mining-projects-across-us-2025-04-18/

#MAMA (Make America Mine Again) – An American Mine Still Has Millions of Tons of Copper, If Companies Can Get to It.

Carved into a mountain range in Arizona’s Sonoran Desert, where temperatures often reach 118F (48C), a vast mining complex more than a century old is on the front lines of a race to unlock millions of tons of copper.

After 154 years of digging at Morenci, all the easily recoverable copper has been mined. Left behind are towering piles of waste rock that hold nearly 10 million tons of the metal seen as critical to global electrification. It’s a cache that could prove key to President Donald Trump’s ambition to boost US production of critical minerals.

Read more at: https://www.bloomberg.com/news/features/2025-04-02/skyscraper-high-waste-piles-hold-key-to-trump-s-copper-goal-as-tariffs-loom

LNG #Canada to start cooldown of plant next week in final step before first LNG

An LNG tanker is expected to arrive in Canada on April 1 to start cooling down LNG Canada’s plant in Kitimat, British Columbia, considered the final step before the plant begins production of the superchilled gas.

“The delivery is expected in early April and is critical to our safe start-up and commissioning process now underway, and to achieving our first cargo by the middle of 2025,” LNG Canada told Reuters on Monday.

The company is Canada’s first liquefied natural gas export facility and when complete is expected to export 14 million metric tonnes per annum (MTPA) of the superchilled gas.

Once LNG Canada enters service, Canadian gas exports to the U.S. will likely decline, traders said, as Canadian energy firms will have another outlet for their fuel and will sell more to other countries. For now, the U.S. is the only outlet for Canadian gas.

Read more at: https://www.reuters.com/business/energy/lng-canada-start-cooldown-plant-next-week-final-step-before-first-lng-2025-03-24/

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