Tag Archives: Copper

With interruption in oil supply, #China Is Wiring the Globe’s Clean Energy Future

Posted on by Leave a comment
An artistic representation of the world map illuminated with golden lights, set against a backdrop featuring the Chinese flag, with water droplets creating ripples in the foreground.

No matter the outcome of the conflict between the United States and Iran, China will be better off in the postwar world order due to its global leadership not only in renewable energy and batteries, but also electrical infrastructure and energy innovation.

The blockage of the Strait of Hormuz has thrown many nations dependent on Middle East oil and liquefied natural gas (LNG) into crisis. Beyond immediate measures to reduce energy consumption, the Iran war is now causing these countries to accelerate longer-term plans to build out solar and wind power, install batteries to balance their grids, and expand the role of electric vehicles (EVs).

China is the clear winner. The country dominates all three industries and was already promoting them aggressively in export markets before the war. But this major advantage is only part of the postwar story. Beijing is also winning in other manufacturing sectors and electrical infrastructure writ large, and it is positioning itself to win the next generation of energy technologies. China’s progress may be good for the global climate, but as each day of hostilities passes and energy demands grow, it deepens the United States’ long-run geoeconomic challenge.

Read more at: Council on Foreign Relations

#Brazil demands #RareEarthMinerals be processed at home as #US and #China compete

Posted on by Leave a comment
Illustration of Brazil's map featuring a mining site within the country's outline, set against the backdrop of the Brazilian flag, with the text 'Rare Earth Minerals' at the bottom.

Brazil will require foreign partners to process rare earth minerals domestically as a condition for access to its reserves, a senior government official said this week, setting terms that could reshape how Chinese and Western firms compete for resources the country has long exported raw.

“Our doors of Brazil to foreign investment are open, but our position has matured,” Leonardo Durans, a senior official at Brazil’s industry ministry, said at a press conference with international media.

“The commitment we will demand from everyone is domestic technological development and job creation.”

Read more at: South China Mining Post

To compete with #China, #US needs to rebuild #RareEarthMetals talent from the ground up

Posted on by Leave a comment
Two large container ships named 'Ocean Horizon' and 'Eastward Prosperity' facing each other on a shimmering ocean at sunset, with American and Chinese flags displayed. The ships are adorned with multiple shipping containers and there are buoys labeled 'New Routes New Realities' and 'Trade Shifts Power Shifts' in the foreground.

The US drive to reduce reliance on China for rare earths and critical minerals will take more than fixing resource and processing gaps, experts say, noting that the decisive factor would be talent.

Eroding industrial know-how, a weak education pipeline, and the lack of a consistent long-term strategy could complicate US ambitions to become a mining powerhouse and rival or even surpass China, they warned.

Rare earths are a critical component in many advanced weapons systems. Observers said China’s dominance in rare earths stemmed not only from its industrial scale but also from decades of accumulated engineering expertise, which the United States was struggling to rebuild after decades of decline

Read more at: South China Mining Post

#Australia and #US double #CriticalMinerals funding

Posted on by Leave a comment
Illustration of the Pacific mineral supply chain depicting mining sites, refining and processing, manufacturing, and global trade routes, featuring Australian elements and critical minerals like nickel.

A record boost in bilateral minerals funding

Australia and the United States have committed over A$5 billion ($3.5 billion) to critical mineral projects, almost doubling the amount pledged when their cooperation framework was established six months ago. The funding will be delivered via Export Finance Australia and the U.S. Export-Import Bank, focusing on projects that strengthen strategic industries. Canberra says this positions Australia as a global leader in diversifying supply chains for rare earths and other critical minerals.

Future scenarios for the minerals alliance

If the funding accelerates project timelines and scales production, Australia could emerge as a key non-Chinese processing hub, reshaping global supply dynamics and reducing market vulnerability. Alternatively, delays from environmental, technical, or market challenges could limit impact, leaving Western nations exposed to existing dependencies. Both scenarios will influence the pace of the energy transition and the resilience of high-tech manufacturing supply chains.

Read more at: MSN

How are China and Iran cornering US without firing a shot amid tensions in Gulf – The Times of India

#LMEL (Lloyds Metals and Energy Limited) eyes #Cobalt from #Congo to #India through #US partnership

Posted on by Leave a comment
An illustrative map highlighting global trade routes connecting North America, India, and Africa, emphasizing the exchange of minerals and technology. The image features icons representing strategic partnerships, resilient supply chains, and a cleaner future, with the tagline 'Stronger Together: Minerals. Trade. Progress.'

LMEL eyes cobalt from Congo to India through US partnership

Nagpur: Lloyds Metals and Energy Limited (LMEL), which has taken over CHEMAF Group, a mining company in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), early this month by forming a joint venture with US’ Virtus Mineral Group, plans to get its share of cobalt from the African nation to India as well.

The sharing formula would depend on the agreement between Indian and American governments as the venture also has a US partner. CHEMAF’s mines are seen as a major non-Chinese source of cobalt, a critical mineral, especially when India doesn’t have any major resources of the metal.

“The production is expected to start within the current fiscal,” said LMEL’s managing director B Prabhakaran.

The company projects an initial output of 20,000 tonnes of cobalt and 60,000 tonnes of copper a year from the Congo mines. CHEMAF Group has mines in Congo’s Katanga belt, known to be among the biggest copper reserves in the world apart from having sizeable cobalt deposits.

The takeover of CHEMAF Group by the LMEL–Virtus combine is also seen as a major victory for the US government, as it could outmanoeuvre the Chinese players who were also eyeing the company.

Source: The Times of India

#Vale’s Ethanol Initiative: A Major Step in Decarbonizing Shipping

Posted on by Leave a comment
A split image featuring a rocky shoreline on the left and a large cargo ship navigating through blue waters on the right, with the logo of Vale prominently displayed.

Vale and Shandong Shipping Corporation have concluded an agreement for new ethanol-powered Guaibamax vessels, which are scheduled for delivery starting in 2029. The agreement marks an unprecedented milestone for global iron ore transport: this is the first time in the maritime industry that ethanol will be used as the primary fuel on an ocean-going vessel. With the potential to reduce carbon emissions by around 90% compared to the use of heavy fuel oil, commonly used in shipping, the initiative reinforces Vale’s commitment to reducing its carbon emissions across the value chain and promoting decarbonization in the maritime sector, in line with ongoing discussions at the International Maritime Organization.

Read more at: Vale announces the world’s 1st ethanol-powered ocean-going vessel; carbon emission reduction can reach 90%  – Vale

Can #Philippines become #CriticalMinerals powerhouse with help from #US, #Japan?

Posted on by Leave a comment
A digital representation of a chess game featuring blue and red chess pieces on a checkerboard background with an outline of the Asia map.

The US and Japan have an ambition to transform the Philippines into a critical minerals powerhouse and cut their reliance on China as part of a broader economic partnership, but analysts warn that a lack of commitment by Manila to introduce comprehensive reforms and tackle corruption could hamper the goal.

A report by the US-based think tank Centre for a New American Security (CNAS) said cooperation between the three countries was central to leveraging the Philippines’ vast potential as a source of critical minerals and rare earths to strengthen Washington’s regional deterrence.

“The United States and Japan are already among the Philippines’ top trading partners, but there are opportunities to enhance trade and investment ties in energy, infrastructure, telecommunications and critical minerals,” it said.

Read more at: https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/economics/article/3349421/can-philippines-become-critical-minerals-powerhouse-help-us-japan

How a deeper #US – #Burundi partnership could unlock #CriticalMineral and security gains

Posted on by Leave a comment
Aerial view of a rugged landscape with a defined border, featuring rocky formations and lakes, under a cloudy sky.

Atlantic Council: A strategic opportunity

Burundi’s size makes it an ideal candidate for a targeted security partnership, one that would not overextend US defense resources. Its minerals, strategic position in the eastern DRC conflict, and active role in peacekeeping missions align closely with US interests on the continent.

Given that Burundi’s nickel and NdPr will inevitably be mined, the real question is whether this becomes another quiet win for Chinese industrial strategy—or proof that US security engagement can still shape global markets.

The United States risks missing a critical opportunity—particularly in the mining sector—if policymakers and defense actors do not move quickly to prioritize Burundi.

Read more at: https://www.atlanticcouncil.org/blogs/africasource/how-a-deeper-us-burundi-partnership-could-unlock-mineral-and-security-gains/

#Jakarta: #Coal and #Nickel dilemma: Racing for revenue, lagging in readiness

Posted on by Leave a comment
A silhouette of Indonesia features an industrial landscape on the left with smokestacks and an oil rig, and a renewable energy scene on the right with wind turbines. Road signs reading 'DEAD END' and 'Hope Ahead' are included.

A potentially widening budget deficit amid soaring global oil prices has prompted Jakarta to explore alternative revenue sources, including export duties on nickel and coal, commodities that are currently benefiting from relatively strong price trends.

The push for rapid revenue mobilization, however, appears to be running ahead of sectoral readiness. President Prabowo Subianto has approved a coal export duty, with tariffs reportedly still under discussion depending on price levels, initially slated for implementation on April 1. However, its rollout remains subject to ongoing cross-ministerial deliberations, particularly regarding its impact on mining sector profitability.

As highlighted by Energy and Mineral Resources Minister Bahlil Lahadalia, the structure of Indonesia’s coal exports complicates policy design. Around 60-70 percent of exports consist of low-calorific, lower-value coal, meaning that a uniform export duty risks disproportionately burdening producers operating on thin margins. This has prompted the minister to adopt a more cautious stance, delaying implementation until a more calibrated approach is formulated. Yet this caution contrasts with parallel intervention on the supply side. The government has tightened production through the Work Plan and Budget (RKAB) mechanism, capping approved output at around 580 million tonnes. This figure is well below the previous year’s realization of 790 million tonnes, aimed at preventing oversupply and supporting global prices.

The escalation of geopolitical conflict in the Middle East has helped sustain elevated energy and mineral commodity prices. Coal prices have remained consistently above US$135 per tonne, while nickel prices have also stayed relatively stable. This sustained price momentum has prompted the government to take strategic measures to safeguard the state budget. Export duty revenues in the 2026 state budget are projected to surge to Rp 42.56 trillion (US$2.5 billion), marking an increase of more than 850 percent. This sharp rise underscores the urgency behind recent policy initiatives.

This creates a fragmented policy mix. While fiscal authorities push for revenue mobilization through export duties, sectoral regulators simultaneously restrict output to stabilize prices. Rather than a fully coherent strategy, the current approach reflects an unresolved tension between short-term fiscal pressures and longer-term industrial and market considerations.

This tension becomes even more apparent when compared with the government’s more assertive stance in the nickel sector. The government is currently formulating an export duty on nickel-based products, particularly nickel pig iron (NPI), although the exact tariff structure and rates remain under deliberation. At the same time, supply-side controls have been introduced, with the nickel ore RKAB capped at around 150 million tonnes to safeguard domestic availability.

Read more at: https://www.thejakartapost.com/opinion/2026/04/08/analysis-coal-and-nickel-dilemma-racing-for-revenue-lagging-in-readiness.html?utm_source=(direct)&utm_medium=single_latest

#DRC – #Kinshasa on verge of winning its bet on the #Cobalt market

Posted on by Leave a comment
Illustration of the Democratic Republic of the Congo highlighted on a map of Africa, featuring a mining scene with a mineral processing plant and various minerals like cobalt, copper, coltan, and lithium. The country's flag is prominently displayed.

Fully focused on its goal of regulating the precious mineral sector, Félix Tshisekedi’s presidency expects significant fiscal returns this year. The authorities, however, have had to contend with pressure from Chinese operators eager to obtain larger quotas, as well as the reluctance of certain administrations.

Read more at: https://www.africaintelligence.com/central-africa/2026/04/07/kinshasa-on-verge-of-winning-its-bet-on-the-cobalt-market,110698845-eve

Under the presidency of Félix Tshisekedi, the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) is aggressively reshaping its role in the global mineral market, specifically targeting the cobalt and gold sectors to maximize state revenue and economic sovereignty. 

Fiscal Returns and Strategic Control 

For 2026, the Congolese Treasury has set ambitious financial targets tied to its newfound status as a market “price maker”. 

  • Projected Revenue: The government expects roughly $2.3 billion in public revenue this year from cobalt alone.
  • Market Influence: By implementing a strict quota system (capped at 96,600 tonnes for 2026), Kinshasa successfully pushed prices from $21,000 in early 2025 to over $56,000 as of April 2026.
  • Alternative Scenario: Authorities estimate that without these regulatory interventions, revenues would have been limited to approximately $617 million. 

Friction with Chinese Operators

The administration is navigating complex relationships with Chinese mining companies, which currently dominate much of the DRC’s mineral extraction. 

  • Quota Resistance: Major Chinese firms, notably CMOC Group, have vocally opposed the 2026 quotas, arguing they are too restrictive compared to their production capacity.
  • Processing Ultimatum: The Ministry of Mines is leveraging these quotas to force Chinese operators into local processing agreements, aiming to shift the country away from being a mere raw material exporter.
  • Audit of Legacy Deals: In March 2026, the government launched a comprehensive technical and financial audit of the Sicomines “infrastructure-for-minerals” deal to ensure compliance and fair returns. 

Administrative and Geopolitical Hurdles

Domestic and international pressures continue to complicate the regulatory rollout:

  • Bureaucratic Reluctance: Delays in implementing new export procedures at the end of 2025 caused bottlenecks at key transit points like the Kasumbalesa border post, forcing the government to refine its administrative arrangements.
  • The “U.S. Pivot”: Under a strategic partnership signed in late 2025, the U.S. is pushing for access to critical minerals to counter Chinese dominance. This includes a 44-project shortlist handed to Washington in February 2026, creating additional geopolitical friction.
  • New Enforcement Measures: To counter administrative weakness, the state recently partnered with Quantum to establish a “tax brigade” for better oversight of mining operators. 

« Older Entries Recent Entries »