Canadian gold‐copper explorer Lion Rock Resources has signed an option deal to acquire the Revell lithium project near Ignace, Ontario. The Revell lithium project has 112 claims spread across 2,350 hectares of land near Ignace, Ontario.

Mining Technology

Lion Rock to acquire lithium project in Ontario, Canada

Namibia has banned the export of unprocessed lithium and other critical minerals, the government announced on Thursday, as it seeks to profit from growing global demand for metals used in clean energy technologies.

Mining.com

Namibia bans export of unprocessed critical minerals

Chile plans to nationalize its vast reserves of lithium, an element essential for development of batteries and electric vehicles. That could force new public-private partnerships for leading suppliers Albemarle and SQM.

GreenBiz

Could there be an ‘OPEC of lithium’?

European Lithium has entered a binding agreement with Obeikan Group to form a joint venture (JV) to develop and operate a lithium hydroxide processing plant in Saudi Arabia.

European Lithium and Obeikan partner to build lithium plant in Saudi Arabia

The United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has issued a clarification to handlers of lithium-ion batteries that both larger batteries and aggregated collections of batteries are subject to material safety data sheet (MSDS) reporting requirement.

Recycling Today

Lithium-ion batteries deemed hazardous by EPA

India’s salt-to-software conglomerate Tata Group signed an agreement with the Gujarat state government to set up a giga-factory for manufacturing lithium-ion cells, with an estimated initial investment of around 130 billion rupees ($1.6 billion)

Bloomberg

Tata to Build $1.6 Billion Indian EV Battery Plant, Gujarat Says

Demand for lithium, a key component for electric vehicle batteries, is expected to surge, from 500,000 metric tons of lithium carbonate in 2021 to three to four million metric tons in less than a decade

CNBC

The rise of Albemarle, the world’s largest lithium producer

The government of India on Friday permitted the import of pet coke for making graphite anode material for lithium-ion batteries as a feedstock and not for any other purposes. Import of pet coke for fuel purposes is completely banned.

Business Standard

Govt permits import of pet coke as raw material for lithium-ion batteries

Denver-based Clean Energy Associates (CEA), a sustainability advisory company, has released a report that forecasts lithium-ion cell manufacturing growth in the coming years. The report states that North America became the fastest-growing regional market for planned battery cell manufacturing by the end of 2022 – an effort fueled by the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA). 

Inside EVs

North America Is Now The Fastest-Growing Battery Manufacturing Hub

Mining company Savannah Resources’ proposal has secured environmental approval from the Portuguese Government for what could become the largest lithium mine in Western Europe.

Portugal approves lithium mine despite local opposition

Mining company Savannah Resources said on Wednesday Portuguese authorities had approved its environmental impact assessment (EIA) for what could become Western Europe's largest lithium mine, calling the step a "major milestone" for the project.

Reuters

Portugal gives environmental green light for Savannah's lithium mine

Chile, the biggest supplier of lithium after Australia, sees the battery-metal market remaining relatively tight through next year before swinging into surplus as new supply comes onstream.

Chile Sees Lithium Swinging Into Surplus as New Supply Arrives

North American lithium producer Sayona Mining has secured $130.3m (A$200m) additional funding to accelerate the development of lithium resources in Québec, Canada. The firm has launched $130.3m fully underwritten placement in two tranches, at A$0.18 per share to professional and sophisticated investors.

Sayona secures $130m financing to accelerate lithium production

With a high grade resource and excellent met test work results confirming the value proposition for Lithium Energy’s stellar Burke graphite deposit in North Queensland, a major study can now begin on building Australia’s first integrated battery graphite manufacturing facility.

Stockhead

Lithium Energy ready to capitalise on EV revolution as tests confirm Burke will produce high quality battery grade graphite

Lithium extraction in Chile’s Atacama Desert exacerbates water stress in an already dry region but debate rages about the industry’s true impact as the government starts reviewing the exploitation of the desert’s resources

Euractiv

Facing water stress: Chile’s lithium industry under scrutiny in Atacama Desert

Lithium is essential for EV batteries and Chile is one of the largest producers. So what's behind the Chilean plans? 

DW News

How does the run on lithium affect raw material producers

The government has initiated a plan to auction newly discovered lithium and other rare earth minerals later this year, with the mines ministry proposing an amendment to mineral concession rules 2016 to determine the methodology for fixing the value of the estimated resources.

Mint

Govt to amend rules to auction lithium, rare earth minerals

Australia seeks to create a homegrown lithium refining industry with the help of the US Inflation Reduction Act, but competition from China will be tough.

Power Technology

Australia bids to end dependence on China for lithium refining

The President of the African Development Bank (AfDB), Dr. Akinwunmi Adesina, emphasized the importance of Africa harnessing its resources and manufacturing lithium batteries for electric vehicles to be part of the global electric vehicle revolution.

Nairametrics

Africa must manufacture lithium batteries for electric vehicles – AfDB

Country’s push comes amid global tug of war for EV minerals. Argentine officials say they’re nearing an IRA exemption. 


Emerging Lithium Supplier Argentina Says It’s Close to US Deal Under IRA

Battery Metals | Lithium

Scientists say Florida phosphates are significant sources of rare earth elements, highly sought for everything from cell phones to EVs. Is a new era ahead for the state’s phosphate industry?

WUSF News

The price of plenty: The hunt for rare earth elements

Market fears rose after news that China is experiencing another wave of COVID-19, which could impact the availability of rare earth supplies. However, rumors of this new wave are yet to be confirmed, so its impact on supplies and logistics remains speculative.

Oil Price

Is Recycling The Answer To Rare Earth Shortages?

Rare earth resources refer to a group of 17 chemically similar elements known as the rare-earth elements (REEs). Rare earth elements are crucial in various high-tech applications and industries due to their unique properties. 

Barchart.com

How China Could Leverage Its Dominant Position In Rare-Earth Elements

London-listed Rainbow Rare Earths has announced that the front end of its pilot plant for the Phalaborwa project, in South Africa, has started operations and is on track to produce the first high-value mixed rare earth sulphate in the third quarter.

Mining Weekly

Rainbow starts operations at Phalaborwa magnet rare earths pilot plant

While a common goal of a net zero future is shared within the region, implementation pathways will vary, as demonstrated by three unique approaches in theUS, Canada, a...

Forbes

Unlocking The Energy Transition In The Americas: Three Regional Perspectives

When we think of the global economic transition from fossil fuels to renewables, we often think of electric vehicles (EVs) and lithium-ion batteries. These batteries are incredibly important; however, even more so are rare earth permanent magnets. Without them, the global net zero transition is simply not feasible.

Innovation News Network

Rare earths: The forgotten foundation of the green economy

Junior Energy Transition Minerals has suffered another setback with the government of Greenland refusing a 2019 application for an exploitation license for the company’s Kuannersuit project. The rejection of the exploitation license application follows on from the government’s previous draft decision to refuse an exploitation licence for Kvanefjeld rare earth elements project.

Energy Transition Minerals hits another snag in Greenland

Brazil is rich in natural resources, and this includes rare earth elements. These minerals are essential to modern technology, from smartphones to electric vehicles (EVs) and wind turbines. Brazil’s rare earth reserves are among the world’s largest, making it an essential player in the global market for these materials.

How to advance Brazil’s rare earth industry

Wind turbine maker Siemens Gamesa is hoping to cut is dependence on China in some critical parts of its supply chain, its chief executive said, adding that while there was interest from customers such a move would lead to higher prices.

Siemens Gamesa to cut reliance on China for rare earths, permanent magnets

The boss of Perth-based rare earths producers Hastings Technology Metals says a “premium” market is developing for the minerals outside China.

AFR News 

Ex-China’ premium market emerging for rare earths

USA Rare Earth aims to become the sole American supplier of the obscure metals vital to national security and production of electric vehicles (EVs), CEO Tom Schneberger told EE Times. The startup will go head-to-head with China, which controls over 90% of the rare earth supply chain and at times has used that strength as a geopolitical bludgeon.

EE Times

USA Rare Earth Aims to Break China’s Grip

Access to rare earth minerals and Russia’s war against Ukraine topped the agenda on French President Emmanuel Macron’s historic visit to Mongolia. Macron met with his Mongolian counterpart Ukhnaagiin Khurelsukh on Sunday in the capital Ulaanbaatar and pledged cooperation on the extraction and trade of minerals used in satellites, cell phones and other key technologies.

AP News

Rare earths, Ukraine top agenda on French President Macron’s historic visit to Mongolia

Rare earths, essential elements to realizing an electrified economy, are being discovered latent in some old coal mines – which are seen as environmental legacy liabilities all over North America. 

Coal country to carbon innovation: Wyoming rare earths discovery could be a game changer for US  

The Australian Government has approved close to $50 million in grants to accelerate the development of critical minerals projects which will help diversify supply chains, build domestic downstream processing and support new jobs and regional development.

Minister for Industry and Science

Grants to invigorate Australian critical minerals projects

Canada’s ripe for critical minerals to power the green energy revolution but rare earths have historically gone unnoticed. Mineral-rich provinces like the Athabasca Basin, renowned for uranium, are becoming the focal point for rare earth prospectivity 

Here’s why Canada’s a hotbed of rare earths exploration activity

An IEA report published in 2021 predicts that demand for critical minerals will escalate over the next two decades, with increases of “40 percent for copper and rare earth elements, 60 to 70 percent for nickel and cobalt, and almost 90 percent for lithium.” The technology that is an essential part of clean energy and the future economy relies heavily on critical minerals.

New Security Beat

Critical Mineral Recycling: What Does It Offer?

A recent report by Adamas Intelligence predicts that from 2023 through 2040 global demand for NdFeB magnets will increase at a compound annual growth rate of 7.5%, bolstered by double-digit growth from electric vehicle and wind power sectors. 


Undersupply of magnet rare earths to hit 60,000 tonnes by 2030

In addition to pursuing a "decoupling" push from China in terms of the high-tech sphere, the US and its allies have advanced the formation of a Western buyers' club for minerals crucial to renewable energy, with the apparent aim of squeezing China out of key mineral supply chains. Such "decoupling" has not only created disruption in the existing supply patterns, but also come at the expense of the global environment.


Global Times

US-led mineral 'decoupling' has huge environmental costs

In the high-stakes quest to break China’s grip over minerals crucial to clean energy technology, Australia risks over-mining while ignoring alternatives such as improved battery recycling, according to a new report.

The Guardian

Australia warned of ‘over-mining’ risk in race to secure minerals needed for clean energy

Battery Metals | Rare Earths

Second facility planned as EV battery supply chains begin to develop outside China 

Financial Times

Saudi Arabia expands lithium processing to supply BMW

The European Union is trying to assemble the building blocks to produce electric cars, but subsidies are luring companies to the United States.

The New York Times

Europe Frets U.S. Battery Factory Subsidies Will Hurt, Not Help

The government on Friday permitted the import of pet coke for making graphite anode material for lithium-ion batteries as a feedstock and not for any other purposes. Import of pet coke for fuel purposes is completely banned.


CNBC TV

India permits import of pet coke as raw material for lithium-ion batteries

Involvement with Chinese partners on nickel and other battery-related ventures could fall foul of IRA legislation

Korea Inc’s big battery bet on Indonesia at risk from US restrictions

Zimbabwe wants lithium miners operating in the country to work towards producing battery-grade lithium locally and could impose a tax on exports of lithium concentrate in future, Mines Minister Winston Chitando said on Wednesday.



Zimbabwe presses miners to produce battery-grade lithium locally

Mongolia has agreed to supply critical metals to France that it needs as part of its shift to a less carbon-intensive economy, Emmanuel Macron said on Sunday during the first ever visit to Ulaanbaatar by a serving French president.



Macron says Mongolia to supply critical metals for green push

Czechia is estimated to have about 3% of the world’s lithium resources, with the vast majority located in Cínovec, close to the  German border. Experts say that Cínovec could be the largest lithium reserve in Europe. We are on the verge of a lithium revolution, said Prime Minister Petr Fiala, who envisions the possibility of Czechia embarking on lithium mining within its territory, potentially becoming a significant contributor to Europe’s overall energy security.

Czech lithium could contribute to European energy security, says PM

A decision by Chile, the world’s no. 2 lithium producer, to tighten control over the key battery metal sector has triggered speculation on what the announced state-led public-private model will look like and how it may affect the global industry.



Chile mines minister clarifies controversial new lithium strategy

Berlin seeks to encourage Europe’s main battery maker to build factory in the country

Germany set to offer state support for Northvolt

Indonesia became the world’s second-largest cobalt supplier last year, behind top ranked Democratic Republic of Congo, as it accounted for almost 5% of global production of the battery material, according to data from UK-based Cobalt Institute.

Indonesia became second largest cobalt producer in 2022

Battery Metals | Geopolitics

Battery Metals | Commodities

Next-generation lithium batteries with metallic lithium anodes and solid ceramic electrolytes may be one step closer after a study showed dendrites growing from the lithium anode and fracturing the ceramic electrolyte in a two-stage process. The work gives researchers useful leads on how to inhibit them and lengthen battery life.

Chemistry World

Lithium dendrite understanding will help unpick durability issues of solid-state batteries

Carmakers who faced skyrocketing prices for lithium and other battery metals last year could increasingly adopt sodium-based cells in the future, helping to alleviate strains on raw materials as sales of electric vehicles surge

Economic Times

Lithium shortages could hand salt a starring role in EV shift

The Advanced Materials and Manufacturing Technologies Office (AMMTO) has announced a funding pot of $2 million for the recycling and reuse of Li-ion batteries, administered through the ReCell Center located at Argonne National Laboratory.

Electrive

US DoE invests in lithium battery recycling programmes

Last summer, Elon Musk went on record describing lithium as ‘the new oil,’ pointing out that the light metallic element now forms a vital link in the automotive industry and supply chain. Lithium is an essential component of modern rechargeable battery technology and is found in everything from smartphones and tablets to laptop computers to electric-powered bicycles and automobiles.

Yahoo Finance

‘Lithium Batteries Are the New Oil,’ According to Elon Musk

Resource firms are now beginning to look at their projects in the battery and green energy space as an opportunity to green the global economy and move up the value chain



Proactive

Tesla and its peers zero in on battery metals in race for electric vehicle supply dominance

Europe is joining the ‘white gold’ rush in a bid to challenge China’s control over the lithium market and ensure the continent’s automakers can secure enough supply to meet future demand.



CMC Markets

How will Europe meet future lithium battery demand?

A research group at Japan’s Tohoku University has developed a prototype calcium metal rechargeable battery capable of 500 cycles of repeated charge-discharge – the benchmark for practical use.

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