News

  • Velta Receives \$60 Million LOI to Develop Titanium Manufacturing Facility in the US

    BY John Davis
    Velta Holding U.S., the parent company of Velta based in Dnipro, Ukraine, has announced that it has received a non-binding Letter of Interest (LOI) from the Export-Import Bank of the United States (EXIM) for \$60 million. The LOI outlines a provisional funding package with a 20-year repayment term to support the development of Velta’s Titanium...
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  • New Nickel-Copper Catalyst Converts Ethanol to Synthesis Gas with High Efficiency

    BY Sophia Schmitz
    Scientists have developed a stable nickel-based catalyst with a copper admixture capable of converting ethanol into synthesis gas with 95% efficiency. This process, which utilizes ethanol produced from carbon dioxide, offers a potential solution for reducing greenhouse gases while producing synthesis gas used in chemical production and power generation. The study, supported by the Russian...
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  • Global Aluminum and Bauxite Prices Surge Amid Supply Concerns

    BY Lara Browne
    Global bauxite and aluminum prices have surged to a five-month high this month, driven by economic growth, supply concerns, and a weaker U.S. dollar. Analysts predict that prices could continue to rise from current levels, reflecting the broader market’s ongoing uncertainties. Aluminum prices are currently about 18% higher than they were a year ago, with...
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  • Global Aluminum Honeycomb Market Set for Significant Growth by 2034

    BY Lara Browne
    The global aluminum honeycomb market, valued at USD 3.57 billion in 2024, is projected to exceed USD 6.65 billion by 2034, growing at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 6.43%. The increasing demand for lightweight, energy-efficient materials in industries such as aerospace, automotive, and construction is driving this growth. The Asia Pacific region led...
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  • Scientists Develop Platinum Compounds for Eco-Friendly Polymer and Drug Synthesis Using Green Light

    BY Lara Browne
    Scientists from St. Petersburg State University have developed new platinum compounds that catalyze the synthesis of polymers and drugs under green light. This breakthrough allows chemical reactions to be conducted more efficiently and under milder conditions, thanks to the use of low-energy green radiation, making the process more natural and environmentally friendly, as reported by...
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  • Volkswagen’s Kassel Foundry Introduces Energy-Efficient Chip Melting Furnace

    BY Lara Browne
    The Kassel foundry has made significant strides in advancing recycling efforts with the installation of a chip melting furnace, which has been operational since June 2024. This innovative furnace is expected to lower energy consumption by approximately 3,250 MWh annually, leading to significant reductions in operating costs and environmental impact. Additionally, the new system will...
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  • Gold Prices Drop Sharply Amid Inflation Concerns and Economic Data Release

    BY John Davis
    During Wednesday’s New York trading session, spot gold experienced a steep drop, with prices falling nearly $25 from the day’s high. Analysts indicated that stagnating inflation progress led to gold giving up most of its early gains, as economic data suggested that the Federal Reserve might adopt a more cautious approach to future interest rate...
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  • New GRIPM Powder Materials Facility in Thailand Begins Operations

    BY John Davis
    Makin Metal Powders, a subsidiary of China’s GRIPM Group based in Rochdale, UK, has announced that its new metal powder production facility in Chonburi Province, Thailand, is now operational. The GRIPM Powder Materials plant, which is ISO 9001 certified, dispatched its first orders in July this year. The new facility has the capacity to produce...
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  • Follow-Up Meeting for Alcoa’s San Cibrao Plant Set for December 9 in Madrid

    BY John Davis
    The follow-up meeting concerning Alcoa’s plant in San Cibrao, located in the municipality of Cervo (Lugo), is scheduled to take place in Madrid on December 9 at 11:30 a.m. This meeting will involve representatives from the company, workers, and relevant administrative bodies. The works council, which has long advocated for this meeting, confirmed the date,...
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  • Chinese Mining Group Baiyin Nonferrous to Acquire Brazil’s Mineração Vale Verde

    BY Lars Jensen
    Chinese mining group Baiyin Nonferrous is set to acquire Mineração Vale Verde, a Brazilian mining company owned by British private equity manager Appian Capital Advisory. Mineração Vale Verde operates the Serrote mine in Alagoas, specializing in copper concentrate production. The deal will be executed through the purchase of stakes in AMH 2 and Serrote Participações,...
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  • Platinum Market Faces Deficit as Supply Struggles to Meet Demand

    BY John Davis
    Despite persistent challenges with platinum prices, the precious metal market is seeing support as the World Platinum Investment Council (WPIC) predicts a market deficit in both 2024 and 2025. Edward Sterk, WPIC’s director of research, highlighted that while demand for platinum remains steady, supply has struggled to keep up, a trend that looks set to...
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  • Molyon Secures $4.6 Million to Commercialize Lithium-Sulfur Battery Technology

    BY Sophia Schmitz
    Molyon, a startup spun out of 15 years of research at the University of Cambridge, has secured $4.6 million in funding to kickstart manufacturing at its first pilot facility for lithium-sulfur (Li-S) batteries. The company claims its Li-S technology offers twice the energy density of traditional lithium-ion batteries, marking a significant advancement in energy storage...
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  • Kazakhstan Aims to Expand Rare Metals Production with EU Support

    BY Lara Browne
    Kazakhstan is positioning itself to play a greater role in global production of rare and rare earth metals, drawing interest from the European Union (EU) as both parties explore potential partnerships. To maximize collaboration, experts suggest that Europe must align its green energy diplomacy with Kazakhstan’s local needs. A recent government meeting, led by Kazakh...
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  • Anglo American Sells Stake in Platinum Subsidiary Ahead of Planned Demerger

    BY John Davis
    British mining group Anglo American has sold shares of Anglo American Platinum, valued at 9.6 billion South African rand (approximately 500 million euros), as part of preparations for a complete demerger of the South African platinum producer. The sale, announced on Wednesday, involved 17.5 million shares, representing 6.6% of Anglo American Platinum’s issued capital, at...
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  • Lithium Ionic Secures $266 Million Loan Guarantee for Bandeira Lithium Project in Brazil

    BY John Davis
    Lithium Ionic has announced that it has received preliminary approval for a $266 million loan guarantee from the Export-Import Bank of the United States (EXIM) to support the development of its flagship Bandeira lithium project in Minas Gerais, Brazil. The funding will cover 100% of the project’s initial capital cost, as outlined in a feasibility...
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  • Platinum Group Metals Signs MoU with Saudi Arabia for PGM Processing Facilities

    BY Sophia Schmitz
    Platinum Group Metals, a Canadian company focused on developing the Waterberg Project in South Africa’s Limpopo province, has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Saudi Arabia to construct a platinum group metals (PGM) processing facility in the Kingdom. The MoU was signed with Ajlan & Bros Company for Mining and the Ministry of Investment...
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  • China to Cancel Export Tax Rebates on Aluminum and Copper Products from December 2024

    BY Lara Browne
    Starting December 1, 2024, China will cancel export tax rebates for certain aluminum and copper products, effectively increasing export costs for these materials. In the short term, this policy change is expected to drive up production costs for aluminum and copper processing companies, potentially leading to export losses and forcing companies to adjust their product...
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  • Lyten to Acquire Cuberg’s Facility to Expand Lithium-Sulfur Battery Production

    BY Lars Jensen
    Battery manufacturer Lyten is set to acquire Cuberg’s lithium-metal battery manufacturing facility in San Leandro, California, with plans to invest up to $20 million to convert the facility for lithium-sulfur battery production. The investment will also include purchasing additional equipment and expanding production capacity to 200 megawatt hours per year, according to a company press...
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  • Mixed Outlook for Non-Ferrous Metals as Trade Conflicts Loom in 2025

    BY John Davis
    The non-ferrous metals market in 2024 experienced mixed trends, largely influenced by supply conditions and shifting global demand dynamics. Refined copper prices surged by 7%, driven by shortages and increased demand from sectors such as artificial intelligence (AI) and data centers. Aluminum prices also climbed, supported by favorable upstream sectors, despite supply exceeding demand. Zinc...
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  • Galp Abandons Aurora Lithium Refinery Project Amid Lack of New Partner

    BY Sophia Schmitz
    Portuguese energy company Galp announced on Tuesday that it has dropped its plan to build the Aurora lithium refinery, after failing to find a new partner to replace Northvolt. The Swedish battery manufacturer Northvolt had originally partnered with Galp in a 50-50 joint venture set up in November 2021 to build the lithium processing plant...
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  • European Metals Selects EPR1 Site for Cinovec Lithium Project Processing Plant

    BY Lars Jensen
    European Metals Holdings Ltd has announced the final selection of the EPR1 site for the processing plant of its Cinovec Lithium project in Czechia. This decision marks an important milestone in the project’s development, moving it closer to realization. The Prunéřov EPR1 site was chosen after extensive evaluations, which included assessments of construction costs, geotechnical...
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  • Base Metal Futures Rise on Weak Dollar and Declining Inventories

    BY John Davis
    Futures contracts for base metals saw an upward trend on both the Multi Commodity Exchange of India (MCX) and the London Metal Exchange (LME) as a result of a weaker dollar and declining inventories. The positive sentiment in the market was further bolstered by falling inventories of most metals, except zinc, at warehouses registered with...
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  • Global Platinum Supply Set to Decline Amid Continued Restructuring

    BY Lara Browne
    The World Platinum Investment Council (WPIC) has forecast a two percent decline in mined platinum supply for 2025, as producers continue to restructure operations in response to challenging market conditions. In its third-quarter supply and demand report, WPIC projected a third consecutive annual supply deficit for the metal in 2025. Newly mined platinum production is...
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  • Hydro’s Alumetal Plant in Poland Embraces Renewable Energy for Low-Carbon Aluminium Production

    BY John Davis
    Hydro’s Alumetal recycling plant in Kety, Poland, has announced plans to enhance its use of renewable energy, a move that supports the European green transition by producing low-carbon, recycled aluminium products. The plant aims to increase energy efficiency and lower its carbon footprint by installing solar panels capable of generating 1,000 MWh of electricity annually,...
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