News

  • BHP to Invest $12 Billion in Chile Copper Operations Amid Labor Protests

    BY Sophia Schmitz
    BHP has announced plans to invest over $12 billion to expand its copper operations in Chile, focusing on the Escondida and Spence mines in the Antofagasta region. The investment aims to counter an expected production decline between 2027 and 2030. At the same time, the company faces worker protests over alleged labor abuses. Alexis Barrera,...
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  • Peru’s Copper Production Drops 1.2% in September Amid Lower Output from Key Mines

    BY Lara Browne
    Peru’s copper production fell by 1.2% in September compared to the same month last year, reaching 232,423 metric tons, according to data released by the Ministry of Energy and Mines on Tuesday. Peru, one of the world’s largest copper producers, produced 2.76 million metric tons of copper last year. The monthly decline in copper production...
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  • Nickel Prices Expected to Stay Rangebound in 2025 Amid Supply Surplus

    BY Lara Browne
    The nickel market, which heavily relies on demand from the stainless steel and electric vehicle (EV) sectors, is proving to be challenging to forecast due to its volatility. After a significant spike in 2022 triggered by geopolitical events, nickel prices have since stabilized but remain sensitive to shifts in market conditions. Nickel demand is closely...
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  • Echion and CBMM Launch World’s Largest Production Facility for Niobium Anode Material

    BY Sophia Schmitz
    Echion Technologies and CBMM have officially launched the world’s largest production facility dedicated to Echion’s XNO active anode material. Located in Araxá, Brazil, this new facility aims to revolutionize the lithium-ion battery industry by enabling ultra-fast charging and improved performance. The strategic partnership between Echion and CBMM played a key role in bringing the facility...
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  • Sigma Lithium Boosts Production and Lowers Costs in Q3

    BY John Davis
    Sigma Lithium, a major lithium producer, reported strong operational progress for the third quarter, achieving its production target and maintaining some of the lowest cash unit operating costs in the lithium industry. During Q3, Sigma produced 60,237 tons of its Quintuple Zero Lithium Concentrate, a 22% increase from the previous quarter and slightly above its...
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  • Prony Resources Prepares to Restart Nickel Production in New Caledonia

    BY Sophia Schmitz
    Nickel miner Prony Resources New Caledonia is gearing up to restart production after a six-month suspension caused by civil unrest in the French territory. The company, which operates the Goro mine and a plant producing battery-grade nickel, has brought its staff back to the facilities as it prepares for a resumption of activities, according to...
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  • Kico Mining Plant in Kipushi Reopens After 30 Years of Inactivity

    BY Lara Browne
    On Sunday, President Félix Antoine Tshisekedi inaugurated the Kico mining plant in Kipushi, reopening the site after over three decades. The revitalization is a joint venture between Ivanhoe Mines and Gécamines, aiming to produce 100,000 to 140,000 tonnes of high-grade crude zinc annually. The restart is expected to generate jobs and support infrastructure improvements, benefiting...
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  • CATL Announces Second-Generation Sodium-Ion Battery, Aiming for 2025 Launch

    BY John Davis
    Chinese battery giant CATL has announced the development of its second-generation sodium-ion battery, set to launch in 2025. Speaking at the World Young Scientists Summit, CATL’s chief scientist Wu Kai unveiled the new battery, which aims to enhance performance, particularly in cold conditions, and provide an alternative to lithium-ion technology. CATL’s new sodium-ion battery will...
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  • Oman Launches Aluminium Initiative in Suhar to Drive Industrial Growth

    BY Lara Browne
    The Ministry of Commerce, Industry & Investment Promotion has launched the Aluminium Initiative in Suhar, in the North Al Batinah Governorate. This ambitious project aligns with Oman’s Industrial Strategy 2040, aiming to diversify the economy and promote sustainable industrial growth. The initiative seeks to create an integrated economic cluster focused on downstream aluminium industries, emphasizing...
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  • Copper Prices Rise as Dollar Eases, Market Weighed by China Concerns

    BY Sophia Schmitz
    Copper prices edged higher on Tuesday as the U.S. dollar rally paused, although concerns over demand from China and potential U.S. tariffs continued to weigh on the market. Three-month copper on the London Metal Exchange (LME) rose 0.5% to $9,114.50 per metric ton by 0320 GMT, while the most-traded December copper contract on the Shanghai...
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  • GEP Ecotech Supplies Aluminum Recycling System to North America’s Largest Aluminum Company

    BY Lars Jensen
    GEP Ecotech, a provider of metal recycling solutions, has supplied an advanced aluminum recycling production line to the largest aluminum company in North America. The new system is designed to process baled scrap aluminum by breaking it down, shredding it, and removing contaminants to prepare the material for smelting. The recycling production line includes various...
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  • Northvolt Sells California Plant to Lyten Amid European Expansion and Financial Challenges

    BY Sophia Schmitz
    Northvolt, a Swedish company specializing in energy storage solutions for electric vehicles, has announced the sale of its California plant to Lyten, a U.S. start-up focused on lithium-sulfur battery technologies. The decision is part of Northvolt’s strategy to concentrate its resources on the European market and bolster its industrial ambitions in the region. As part...
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  • US Gold Corp Secures Final Permit for CK Gold Project in Wyoming

    BY Lars Jensen
    US Gold Corp. (Nasdaq: USAU) has cleared a major hurdle in the development of its CK gold project by securing approval from the Wyoming Department of Environmental Quality (WDEQ) for its air quality permit. This permit represents the final condition required under the mine operating permit issued earlier this year. The other two conditions—the project’s...
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  • Aluminum Prices Stabilize Amid Changing Market Dynamics

    BY Sophia Schmitz
    The Aluminum Monthly Metals Index (MMI) posted a modest 1.38% increase from October to November, as aluminum prices moved sideways throughout October. Although aluminum prices only rose by 0.99% during the month, they managed to outperform other base metals, such as copper, nickel, zinc, and tin, which saw more significant declines. However, prices began slipping...
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  • Hydro Begins Onsite Solar Production to Decarbonize German Aluminium Plants

    BY Sophia Schmitz
    Aluminium and renewable energy company Hydro has launched a new initiative to decarbonize its aluminium plants in Germany by starting local, onsite solar energy production and implementing energy efficiency measures. The first solar photovoltaic (PV) systems in Offenburg have been completed and are now in interim operation. In addition to Offenburg, Hydro’s facilities in Rackwitz...
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  • Gold Prices Rebound as Russia-Ukraine Tensions Boost Safe-Haven Demand

    BY Lara Browne
    Gold prices surged on Monday, climbing 1.9% to close at $2,611.73 per ounce after six consecutive days of losses. The increase came as the U.S. dollar paused its rally, and renewed uncertainty from the escalating Russia-Ukraine conflict rekindled demand for safe-haven assets. FXStreet analyst Christian Borjon Valencia noted that gold rebounded from a two-month low...
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  • Aluminium Prices Rise on LME While SHFE Drops Amid China Export Tax Changes

    BY John Davis
    Aluminium prices on the London Metal Exchange (LME) rose on Tuesday, while prices on the Shanghai Futures Exchange (SHFE) declined. The market is reacting to China’s recent announcement to remove a 13% export tax refund for certain aluminium products starting December 1. Three-month aluminium on the LME was up 0.6% at $2,623 per metric ton...
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  • Asahi Kasei Breaks Ground on Battery Separator Plant in Ontario to Support EV Market

    BY Lars Jensen
    Asahi Kasei Battery Separator Corporation has taken a significant step in supporting the North American electric vehicle (EV) market by beginning construction on a new lithium-ion battery separator manufacturing facility in Port Colborne, Ontario, Canada. The facility is expected to begin commercial production in 2027, subject to obtaining all necessary permits and approvals. It will...
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  • Iran’s Aluminum Production Reaches 352,423 Tons in First Four Months

    BY John Davis
    Iran produced 352,423 tons of aluminum ingots during the first four months of the current Iranian calendar year (March 20 – October 21), according to data from the Iranian Mines and Mining Industries Development and Renovation Organization (IMIDRO). In the previous year, the country produced 367,091 tons of aluminum ingot over the same seven-month period....
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  • Copper and Aluminium Prices Slip Amid Tariff Concerns and Market Uncertainty

    BY Lara Browne
    Copper prices edged lower on Monday as investors awaited developments on potential U.S. tariffs and anticipated economic stimulus from China. Aluminium also retreated, reflecting market response to China’s recent decision to scrap export rebates. By 1125 GMT November 18, three-month copper on the London Metal Exchange (LME) dipped 0.1% to $8,994.50 per metric ton, extending...
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  • Billionaire Dirk Rossmann Increases Stake in Aurubis Amid Takeover Speculation

    BY Sophia Schmitz
    Drugstore magnate Dirk Rossmann has once again expanded his stake in Aurubis, a leading copper manufacturer. His investment firm, Rossmann Beteiligungs GmbH, now controls around 20.7% of Aurubis, up from approximately 17%, according to a mandatory disclosure on Monday. This ongoing increase in ownership has fueled market speculation about a potential takeover. Rossmann, founder of...
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  • Base Metals See Modest Gains Amid Dip-Buying, Strong Dollar Caps Upside

    BY Sophia Schmitz
    Base metals prices largely traded higher on Monday, buoyed by dip-buying from physical consumers. However, gains were limited by a strong dollar and sluggish demand from China, which capped any significant upward movement. Three-month copper on the London Metal Exchange (LME) inched up by 0.1% to $9,013.50 per metric ton by 0629 GMT. Aluminium rose...
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  • African Lithium Production Set to Surge Amid Price Fluctuations

    BY Lara Browne
    After a year of declining lithium prices due to a surplus market, some analysts are optimistic that the market will recover by 2030. For African nations, keeping development on schedule will be critical as they look to capitalize on the anticipated resurgence. Countries such as Zimbabwe, Nigeria, and others are positioning themselves to increase lithium...
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  • Aluminum Prices Expected to Remain Elevated in 2024 Due to Tight Market Balance

    BY Lars Jensen
    Aluminum prices are anticipated to stay elevated throughout 2024 as a tightening market balance emerges, with global demand growth outpacing supply, according to BMI, a unit of Fitch Solutions Group. In a report released this week, BMI forecasts that aluminum demand will increase by 3.2% year-on-year in 2024, reaching 70.35 million tonnes, while supply growth...
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