Codelco and SQM have taken a step forward in their collaboration to produce lithium in the Salar de Atacama. The National Economic Prosecutor’s Office (FNE) in Chile has begun the process of reviewing the antitrust aspects of the Association Agreement between the two companies, which was signed on May 31, 2024. This investigation is a key part of the legal...
Saudi Arabian Mining Company (Ma’aden) has announced a major acquisition deal to purchase the remaining shares of Ma’aden Bauxite and Alumina Company (MBAC) and Ma’aden Aluminium Company (MAC), previously held by subsidiaries of Alcoa Corporation. The Share Purchase and Subscription Agreement (SPSA), signed on September 15, 2024, will allow Ma’aden to acquire a 25.1% stake in both MBAC and MAC,...
Japan Develops Innovative Alloy for Aviation Researchers at Japan’s National Institute of Materials Science have created an alloy of titanium and nickel that combines the strength of steel with the elasticity of rubber. In experiments, the alloy was elongated by 50% and then further stretched by 12% after being heated to 300°C. This process resulted in the alloy being able...
EcoPro has announced plans to collaborate with Chinese precursor manufacturer GEM to develop an integrated cathode material business in Indonesia. This partnership will encompass the entire cathode material value chain, including smelting, precursor production, and cathode materials, aiming to disrupt market prices through significant cost reductions. EcoPro Materials will acquire a stake in GEM’s Indonesian nickel smelter, Green Eco Nickel,...
Canada Nickel has announced that Export Development Canada (EDC) may provide a $500 million loan for its Crawford project in northern Ontario, which is poised to become the world’s largest nickel-cobalt sulphide development. This potential funding, combined with $600 million in tax credits from the Canadian government, would support the construction of the C$3.5 billion project, set to proceed in...
Baoshan Iron & Steel (Baosteel), Baowu Aluminum, and Japan’s Kobelco have received approval from the European Commission to establish a joint venture focusing on the production of automotive aluminium sheets. The transaction, reviewed under the EU Merger Regulation, raised no competition concerns within the European Economic Area, as confirmed by the Commission’s simplified merger review procedure. Kobelco will hold a...
Andrada Mining has announced a partnership with Sociedad Química y Minera de Chile (SQM), one of the world’s largest lithium chemicals producers, through its subsidiary SQM Australia. The agreement, pending approval from the Namibian Competition Commission, will focus on developing Andrada’s Lithium Ridge asset (ML133) in Namibia. Key highlights of the partnership include:
Eurasian Resources Group (ERG), a Luxembourg-based diversified natural resources company, has announced a pre-export finance agreement with Glencore International AG and the London Branch of Bank of China Limited. This agreement will allow ERG to borrow up to $150 million, which will be used for working capital and other general corporate purposes. The financing is supported by a supply agreement...
Cyprium Metals has secured a A$40 million (USD 27 million) senior loan facility from Glencore to support its corporate initiatives and the advancement of the Nifty copper complex near Port Hedland in Western Australia. The loan, which has a four-year term, will be used to fund early works, feasibility studies, and to repay an existing senior secured facility. Additionally, the...
BAIYU Holdings has announced a significant development through its subsidiary, BMYA New Energy Technology, securing a $60 million purchase and sales contract for electric lithium batteries with Feng’s Auto Parts, a U.S. auto parts supplier. This deal marks the entry of BAIYU’s proprietary lithium battery brand into the U.S. market, enhancing its position in the new energy sector. Under the...
