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#China unveils 18-point plan to boost global non-ferrous metals pricing power

Posted on January 22, 2026 by Nanthakumar Victor Emmanuel, P.Eng Leave a comment

An image featuring the Chinese flag with a skyline of Shanghai at sunset, including famous landmarks. There's graphical data related to the futures market, with charts labeled 'Futures Market' and 'Spot & Derivatives.' Metal commodities like copper, nickel, and aluminum are displayed in the foreground, along with the 'NVICTORE-INOV8RS Research Fund' label.

The move is aimed at strengthening the links between the futures, spot and derivatives markets for non-ferrous metals and Shanghai’s role.

China is stepping up efforts to strengthen its influence in the pricing of global non-ferrous metals, rolling out measures to deepen market activity and tightening links between futures, spot and derivatives trading.

Authorities in Shanghai, the mainland’s financial hub, on Tuesday rolled out an action plan aimed at strengthening the links between the futures, spot and derivatives markets for non-ferrous metals. It is part of a broader ambition to enhance Shanghai’s role in global commodity pricing.

The 18-point action plan included measures to deepen the collaboration between exchanges and clearing institutions, enhance risk management instruments, expand international participation and cultivate a more integrated market ecosystem, state-owned media outlet The Paper reported.

“If you are not at the table, you are on the menu”

Posted on January 21, 2026 by Nanthakumar Victor Emmanuel, P.Eng Leave a comment

A round conference table with flags from various countries, surrounded by a scenic landscape featuring mountains and a river. The table displays models of a car, solar panels, and a wind turbine, alongside rocks and gold pieces.

Political: If you are not at the table, your country’s sovereignty will be on the menu.

Direct message. World will remember forever.

Commercial: End products of Canadian Critical Minerals and Canadian power is on the menu. Join Canada to expand the menu and invite the world to enjoy the menu.

Interpreted message. Canada will remember forever.

#Turkey’s bid to develop #RareEarth minerals hits wall of technology restrictions

Posted on January 21, 2026 by Nanthakumar Victor Emmanuel, P.Eng Leave a comment

An industrial landscape showing the extraction of rare earth elements, featuring a mining site with heavy machinery, a worker inspecting materials, and a refinery complex. In the foreground, text outlines three strategic recommendations for improving rare earth element processing and control.

Turkey is attempting to position itself as a new player in the global rare earth elements (REEs) market, yet the country continues to face significant technological, economic and geopolitical obstacles in transforming extensive underground reserves into a functioning industrial ecosystem.

A January 3 letter by Turkish Energy and Natural Resources Minister Alparslan Bayraktar, a copy of which was obtained by Nordic Monitor, acknowledged Turkey’s limitations, particularly in technology, even though the country reportedly has the world’s fourth-largest REE reserves.

The minister highlighted promising deposits, particularly in Eskişehir’s Beylikova district, where exploration has identified 694 million tons of complex ore containing REEs along with barite, fluorite and thorium. Drilling has extended more than 125,000 meters across 310 locations, and over 59,000 samples have undergone laboratory analysis.

Despite this geological potential, the letter suggests that converting resources into industrial capacity remains elusive.

To process the Beylikova ore, state-owned mining company Eti Maden established the Beylikova Fluorite, Barite and Rare Earth Elements Directorate and in 2023 launched a pilot facility with a capacity of 1,200 tons per year. The plant produces an initial REE concentrate using physical and chemical methods, but the sophisticated technology needed to separate individual rare earth oxides is still under development.

1. We need immediate research and development to improve the existing technologies. Western world does not have a Rare Earth refining technology that can compete with Chinese technologies.

2. Build refineries in the existing mines with infrastructure using developed technologies.

3. Take the price control of the Rare Earth Elements by tariffs or other means until the local refineries optimize the refining processes and operating cost.

#Tesla Fires Up #America’s First Major #Lithium Refinery

Posted on January 20, 2026 by Nanthakumar Victor Emmanuel, P.Eng Leave a comment

Tesla lithium refinery with American and Canadian flags, featuring industrial structures and lithium ore piles in the foreground.

The Tesla Lithium Refinery just outside of Corpus Christi, Texas, is another step toward the U.S. goal of having domestic refined lithium resources to counter China’s market dominance.

The refinery converts spodumene ore directly into battery-grade lithium hydroxide, in a first-of-its-kind process in North America.

Tesla uses a new technology platform that allows a cleaner, simpler, and cheaper process to obtain battery-grade lithium from the raw material, spodumene ore, says Jason Bevan, Site Manager for Tesla’s Gulf Coast Lithium Refinery.

The U.S. Administration is increasingly looking to have a direct equity involvement in America’s critical minerals supply chain, in the race to close the gap with China.

Direct Administration bets on lithium mining projects were a key theme in the sector last year.

For example, the Department of Energy (DOE) has agreed to provide a $2.26 billion loan to Vancouver-based Lithium Americas Corp. to help it complete a major lithium project in Humboldt County in northern Nevada.

#China Eyes #RareEarth Foothold in #Malaysia to Maintain Dominance, Counter #Japan, #U.S.

Posted on January 19, 2026 by Nanthakumar Victor Emmanuel, P.Eng Leave a comment

An industrial scene showcasing rare earth elements and critical metals, with visible stacks of colorful minerals labeled Nd, Dy, and La in foreground. Flags of China, Malaysia, and Japan are displayed.

BANGKOK — China is poised to increase its involvement in rare earth production and refining in Malaysia, a move seen as an attempt to counter efforts by Japan and the United States to strengthen their ties with the country.

China commands a dominant 90% share of the global rare earth refining market, Japan, and the United States and other nations are working to bolster cooperation with Malaysia to reduce their reliance on Beijing.

According to Malaysian media, Chinese President Xi Jinping proposed technical assistance in the rare earth industry during his visit to Malaysia in April.

Reuters reported in October that a Chinese state firm and a Malaysian government-linked fund are discussing a partnership on establishing a rare earth processing facility in Malaysia. China thus appears to be aiming to expand its rare earth production within Malaysia.

1. We need immediate research and development to improve the existing technologies. Western world does not have a Rare Earth refining technology that can compete with Chinese technologies.

2. Build refineries in the existing mines with infrastructure using developed technologies.

3. Take the price control of the Rare Earth Elements by tariffs or other means until the local refineries optimize the refining processes and operating cost.

Can #US-led bloc ease #China’s ‘vice-like grip’ on #RareEarths?

Posted on January 18, 2026 by Nanthakumar Victor Emmanuel, P.Eng Leave a comment

A diverse group of international leaders and experts discussing rare earth elements and critical metals at a conference table, with various minerals and documents displayed.

A US-led meeting with its allies to reduce the global reliance on rare earths from China was an “easy sell”, even as analysts warn that such an ambitious goal would depend on their long-term investment commitments and ability to narrow differences over national policy.

On Monday, the US hosted a meeting in Washington with G7 finance ministers and other allies, including Australia, India, South Korea and the EU, to address vulnerabilities in the rare earth supply chain, as they close ranks against what they perceive as coercive Chinese control of the export of the critical minerals.

The agenda items included proposals to set price floors to make non-Chinese rare earth projects more viable and explore new partnerships for alternative supplies.

Prior to going into mining in unexplored part of the world:

1. We need immediate research and development to improve the existing technologies. Western world does not have a Rare Earth refining technology that can compete with Chinese technologies.

2. Build refineries in the existing mines with infrastructure using developed technologies.

3. Take the price control of the Rare Earth Elements by tariffs or other means until the local refineries optimize the refining processes and operating cost.

https://www.linkedin.com/feed/update/urn:li:activity:7309993748703166464/

CO2 + H2O = cleaner recycling of dead #Lithium batteries?

Posted on January 17, 2026 by Nanthakumar Victor Emmanuel, P.Eng Leave a comment

Chinese team says their process can recover most of the lithium without the need for harsh and polluting chemicals.

Chinese scientists have found a way to recycle lithium batteries using only carbon dioxide and water – eliminating the need for harsh, polluting chemicals to extract the lithium and upcycle cathode materials.

The team from the Chinese Academy of Sciences and Beijing Institute of Technology said they used a “three-in-one” strategy to improve lithium recovery, upgrade transition metals like cobalt and nickel, and sequester carbon to eliminate waste by-products.

Their method achieved a lithium leaching efficiency exceeding 95 per cent – comparable to traditional recycling methods that require corrosive chemicals and produce hazardous waste water.

“This approach not only provides an efficient pathway for lithium recovery but also upcycles spent cathode materials into valuable catalysts, supporting sustainable energy conversion technologies,” the team said in a paper published in the peer-reviewed journal Nature Communications on January 10.

A cathode is the positive electrode of a battery and can be made using metals like lithium, cobalt, nickel and manganese.

“Conducted under ambient conditions without additional grinding aids or leaching agents, this method minimizes environmental impact,” according to the scientists.

#BBC: #China and #Canada announce tariffs relief after a high-stakes meeting between #Carney and #Xi

Posted on January 16, 2026 by Nanthakumar Victor Emmanuel, P.Eng Leave a comment

Two officials shaking hands at a table, with flags of Canada and China visible. A graphic overlay displays 'United Pro Canada' and mentions investment in critical minerals, energy, and electric vehicles. A model car is also in the foreground.

Economic ties with China are becoming increasingly significant for Carney. Upon arriving in Beijing on Wednesday, he engaged with senior executives from leading Chinese companies, including an electric vehicle battery manufacturer and an energy corporation.

In the deal struck on Friday, Canada will allow only 49,000 Chinese electric vehicles into the Canadian market at the 6.1% tariff rate.

The deal could also see more Chinese investments in Canada.

Metals

#BillGates’ Breakthrough, #BMW and #Canada Back #Lithium Refiner

Posted on January 15, 2026 by Nanthakumar Victor Emmanuel, P.Eng Leave a comment

A new wave of innovation and technological revolution is still required in the Western World.

Lithium refiner Mangrove Water Technologies Inc. secured $85 million from the Canada Growth Fund, BMW AG’s i Ventures and Bill Gates-backed Breakthrough Energy LLC.

The “structured financing package” will support the company’s commercial facility in Delta, which neighbors the US border south of Vancouver. It will also help the firm move toward a second, much larger plant, which could contribute to powering half a million electric vehicles per year, Canada’s Finance Department said in a statement Thursday.

Metals

#Trump’s #RareEarth Push Extends Lifeline to #GreenTech in the #US

Posted on January 15, 2026 by Nanthakumar Victor Emmanuel, P.Eng Leave a comment

A collage featuring a smiling man with light hair, American flag in the background, an airplane flying overhead, wind turbines, solar panels, a charging electric vehicle, and various mineral rocks with the text 'INOV8RS' prominently displayed.

A new wave of innovation and technological revolution is still required in rare earth refining in the Western World.

The industry saw record funding in 2025 as the US looks to build out a supply chain of elements crucial to the defense and energy sectors.

US President Donald Trump has vowed to cut into China’s overwhelming lead in producing critical minerals as part of his national security push, including a new supply chain proclamation on Wednesday. In response, investors are pouring a record amount of money into US startups, providing support to an industry that also plays a key role in the energy transition.

The minerals — a set of 17 metallic elements — are used in products ranging from smartphones and electric vehicles to fighter jets. China controls roughly 60% of the world’s rare earth mining output and more than 90% of the global refining capacity, according to an October report by the International Energy Agency. That leaves industries in the US exposed to potential supply shocks.