DIRS.INFO The most relevant business & tech news

☆ Diamonds Made With Solar Power Are Offering Fiancées Ethical Fashion
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-13 | by ( Yusuf Khan | ) www.wsj.com time to read: +8 min

“She really did not want a natural diamond because of the child labor [concerns],” said Henshall. A lab-grown diamond made with solar power. Made largely in China and India, lab-grown diamonds are produced using heat and pressure but without any mining. Three years later the former retail executive started selling lab-grown diamonds produced in a solar-powered factory in Gujarat, India. The volume and quality can vary but is a good barometer of appetite for natural diamonds, as well as prices.

Persons: Peter Henshall, Tasha Mawdsley, Tasha, ”, Henshall, “, Peter aren’t, Paul Zimnisky, Pandora, Laura Lambert, Fenton, “ It’s, We’ve, ” Lambert, ” Beth Gerstein, David Kellie, De Beers, De, Lightbox, LVMH, Cartier, Richemont, Kyle Grant, Grant, it’s, Yusuf Khan Organizations: Natural Diamond, Business, First Insight, Baker Retailing, Wharton School, University of Pennsylvania, Diamond Exchange, Miners, De Beers, yusuf.khan@wsj.com Corrections, Amplifications Locations: Ibiza, China, India, Danish, London, Gujarat, U.S, Amplifications Danish

☆ U.S. Political Support for Deep-Sea Mining Is Growing Despite Pushback From Allies
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-13 | by ( Yusuf Khan | ) www.wsj.com time to read: +3 min

Photo: The Metals CompanyU.S. political support for deep-sea mining has taken on a new urgency as Norway this week became the first country to legalize extraction of minerals from the ocean bottom despite strong opposition from western allies. On Tuesday, Norway became the first country in the world to approve deep-sea mining within its waters despite pushback from environmental groups and some nations. Despite the opposition, deep-sea mining in international waters could become legal this year. The International Seabed Authority—the United Nations-backed organization that regulates all mineral activities in international waters—has been drafting a mining code to govern the practice. “Promising to protect the oceans one day and proposing deep-sea mining the next, is next-level hypocrisy [for Norway],” said Amanda Louise Helle, Greenpeace Norway activist.

Persons: Sen, Lisa Murkowski, ”, Amanda Louise Helle, “, Yusuf Khan Organizations: Metals Company, Pentagon, Department of Defense, United Nations, ISA, U.S . Senate, United Nations Convention, Clarion, Greenpeace Locations: Norway, China, United States, France, Germany, Canada, U.S, isn’t, Alaska, Hawaii, Greenpeace Norway

☆ Why Gold Prices Are Hitting Records
▼ + stars: | 2023-12-05 | by ( Bob Henderson | Yusuf Khan | ) www.wsj.com time to read: 1 min

Investors tend to go for gold when they are anxious. Gold gained more than 5% in the week after Hamas attacked Israel on Oct. 7. Photo: Michael M. Santiago/Getty ImagesThe prospect that interest rates might have peaked is powering gold prices to record highs. Futures for delivery of gold in December settled at $2,071 a troy ounce Friday, topping their previous high of $2051.50 an ounce hit in August 2020. Gold has advanced for seven of the past eight weeks, bringing its gain this year to 11%.

Persons: Gold, Michael M Locations: Israel

☆ Investors Lose Legal Bid Against Exchange Over Nickel Market Blowup
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-29 | by ( Yusuf Khan | Joe Wallace | ) www.wsj.com time to read: 1 min

Traders work on the floor of the London Metal Exchange in London. Photo: simon dawson/ReutersLONDON—The London Metal Exchange chalked up a big victory over investors on Wednesday, when a court said it was within its rights to cancel trades during a high-profile blowup in the nickel market sparked by Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine. The U.K. court rejected claims by activist fund Elliott Investment Management and market maker Jane Street Global Trading that the exchange had overstepped its powers by nixing $12 billion in trades in March last year. Had they won, Elliott and Jane Street planned to claim hundreds of millions of dollars in damages combined in a follow-on trial.

Persons: simon dawson, Russia’s, nixing, Elliott, Jane Street Organizations: London Metal Exchange, Reuters, Elliott Investment Management, Jane, Global Locations: London, Ukraine

☆ Mining Industry Seeks to Define One Global Standard for Ethical Practices
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-23 | by ( Yusuf Khan | ) www.wsj.com time to read: +6 min

Customers and investors are increasingly considering mining companies’ ESG performance. Photo: douglas magno/Agence France-Presse/Getty ImagesMining giant Anglo American is one of the companies that have been involved in developing the new mining standard. Anglo American itself commits to at least nine different mining standards and is part of 17 industry associations, which all have their own requirements. The LME has been consulted on the development of the new mining standard. For now, work continues on the new mining standard, with the four associations still discussing what it should look like and how it would be governed.

Persons: Cynthia Matonhodze, ”, “, Tracey Kerr, douglas magno, Rebecca Campbell, ” Campbell, Campbell, Paul Hackett, Georgina Hallett, Yusuf Khan Organizations: Bloomberg, International Council, Mining, Metals, Gold Council, Mining Association of Canada, Miners, Business, Global Investor Commission, ING, Jubilee Metals Group, Hochschild, ” Mining, Agence France, Getty, White, London Metal Exchange, REUTERS Locations: Umguza, Zimbabwe, Dutch, Brazil, London, Brumadinho, American, ”

☆ Low Platinum Prices Show How Banking on Miners Could Threaten the Energy Transition
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-15 | by ( Yusuf Khan | ) www.wsj.com time to read: +5 min

Platinum is used to make the electrolyzers that produce hydrogen and the sharp down cycle in South Africa’s platinum mining sector demonstrates the risk that low prices and lack of investment could slow the energy transition. Prices for other commodities have also fallen, while miners have been complaining of rising costs and seem to be limiting their capital expenditures. Photo: michele spatari/Agence France-Presse/Getty ImagesFor the mining sector, cyclical returns are nothing new. Ray said many South African PGM miners are now selling their output at close to the cost of production, eating away at profitability. “To the extent that PGM prices stay at current levels, I would not be surprised to see more supply-side reaction,” Ray said.

Persons: Waldo Swiegers, ”, Tom Price, michele spatari, We’ve, ” Emma Townshend, ” Townshend, Raj Ray, Ray, ” Ray, ” Implats’s Townshend, Implats, Yusuf Khan Organizations: Bloomberg, Liberum, Agence France, PGM, Times, Business, BMO Capital Markets, Metals Locations: Sibanye, Africa, Johannesburg, Stillwater, South, South Africa, Marikana, U.S, China, Europe, Implats

☆ OPEC Raises Oil-Demand Forecast, Says Weak Sentiment Is Exaggerated
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-13 | by ( Yusuf Khan | ) www.wsj.com time to read: 1 min

Photo: Andrey Rudakov/Bloomberg NewsThe Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries raised its expectations for global oil demand this year, saying that weak sentiment is exaggerated and that the economy is more resilient than originally appeared, as the group’s own output crept higher. The Vienna-based oil producers’ cartel said in its monthly oil-market report that it sees oil demand rising by 2.5 million barrels a day this year, up by 100,000 barrels a day from last month’s report.

Persons: Andrey Rudakov Organizations: Bloomberg, Organization of, Petroleum Locations: Vienna

☆ Cooks Beware: Olive Oil Is Getting a Lot More Expensive
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-08 | by ( Yusuf Khan | ) www.wsj.com time to read: 1 min

L’ALBI, Spain—Just off Central Park, chefs at one of New York’s hottest Italian restaurants are pondering how to handle surging prices for a vital ingredient: olive oil. Marea and other restaurants specializing in Mediterranean food are feeling the pinch as a drought in Spain, by far the world’s biggest producer, pushes up global prices. And with Americans pouring increasing quantities of olive oil onto their salads and into their frying pans in recent years, many households are likely to notice rising costs over time, too.

Persons: Spain — Locations: Spain

☆ Green Steel Is Coming. Europe Is Leading the Charge Thanks to New Carbon Taxes.
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-26 | by ( Yusuf Khan | ) www.wsj.com time to read: +7 min

The need for conversion to low-carbon steel production is greater in Europe, where 57% of steel is produced in coal-fired blast furnaces. Swedish-based startup H2 Green Steel has signed deals to supply low-carbon steel to IKEA, Mercedes-Benz , BMW and Scania. Customers of H2 Green Steel have been willing to support the project based on their own green targets and their end-customers’ willingness to pay a green premium, he said. H2 Green Steel said it would charge a €150 premium, while Swedish steelmaker SSAB expects to charge double that. Research from the Rocky Mountain Institute suggests the IRA will encourage green steel investments that would, by 2030, produce about eight million tons of low-carbon steel, or nearly 10% of U.S. steel demand.

Persons: fabian strauch, ”, Colin Richardson, incentivizing, CBAM, Nicola Davidson, Davidson, Henrik Henriksson, Mikael Sjoberg, ” Henriksson, Gunnar Güthenke, SSAB, Europe ”, Simone Tagliapietra, Paul Lim, ” Lim, Yusuf Khan Organizations: Leadership Group, Industry, Argus Media, Rocky Mountain Institute, U.S ., Business, International Energy Agency, Investments, Steel, IKEA, Mercedes, Benz, BMW, Scania, H2, Bloomberg, Research, Europe, Bruegel, U.S Locations: Europe, U.S, Brussels, London, European, Lakes , Texas, Pacific, China, Asia

☆ Hydrogen Demand Is Set to Boom, but Growth Faces Big Hurdles
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-18 | by ( Yusuf Khan | ) www.wsj.com time to read: +5 min

A new report from consulting firm McKinsey forecasts a fivefold rise in hydrogen demand to 600 million metric tons a year by 2050, if climate change is limited to 1.5 degree Celsius. Using green hydrogen as fuel for steelmaking can cut emissions by up to 95%, according to H2 Green Steel, a Swedish low-carbon steel startup. Higher interest rates have made securing funding for big infrastructure projects more expensive, with fewer willing to put up the cash, according to Franc. Last week, $7 billion of subsidies dedicated to hydrogen projects in the U.S. were announced by the Energy Department. Faster permitting times are needed to bring more hydrogen projects online, as well as the renewable energy to power their electrolyzers, industry experts say.

Persons: BRIDGET BENNETT, ”, Pierre, Etienne Franc, ” Franc, Jason Cheng, Regulators haven’t, Margery Ryan, Johnson, Todd Anderson, Bram Smeets, Ole Rolser, you’ve, Ryan, “, Yusuf Khan Organizations: REUTERS, McKinsey, Business, Green, ”, Platinum Investment, Energy Department, Regulators, The Wall, International Energy Agency, U.S, Dakotas Locations: Las, Swedish, Franc, U.S, Woodbine , Ga, Midwest, Texas, West, Gulf Coasts

☆ Israel Conflict Poses Increased Risk to Oil Markets, IEA Warns
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-12 | by ( Yusuf Khan | ) www.wsj.com time to read: 1 min

This copy is for your personal, non-commercial use only. Distribution and use of this material are governed by our Subscriber Agreement and by copyright law. For non-personal use or to order multiple copies, please contact Dow Jones Reprints at 1-800-843-0008 or visit www.djreprints.com. https://www.wsj.com/business/energy-oil/iea-warns-of-increased-risk-to-oil-markets-amid-israel-conflict-3a7a5f11

Persons: Dow Jones Locations: israel

☆ Mining Old Sites Can be a Shortcut to More Copper for the Energy Transition
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-03 | by ( Yusuf Khan | Mari Novik | ) www.wsj.com time to read: +8 min

In the U.S. and beyond, some are jumping ahead by targeting a new but also old source—closed mines, also known as brownfield sites. In the mountains of northern Norway, Bluelake is seeking to reopen the Joma mine that closed 25 years ago because of low copper prices. “Røyrvik has a valued tradition of mining in the old times,” said Hans Oskar Devik, the leader of the local government. Despite the challenges, brownfield mining is also being seen as a way to help ensure mineral security in the U.S., especially in areas such as defense and energy. Preview SubscribeWhen MP bought its brownfield site in 2017, it had a mining permit but was in a state of disrepair, with the pit itself flooded.

Persons: Arne Hanssen, Bluelake, Bluelake Mineral’s, Arne Hanssen Bluelake’s, Peter Hjorth, ” Hjorth, Joma, “ Røyrvik, ”, Hans Oskar Devik, Maahke Joma, Joma —, Snorre, NRK Joma, wasn’t, James Litinsky, Litinsky, ” Litinsky, Jeremy Richardson, Richardson, Yusuf Khan Organizations: P Global Market Intelligence, Perpetua Resources, Materials, California -, Municipal, Bluelake, NRK, Resources, Defense Department, McKinsey Lyon, Business, Rocky Mountain Institute Locations: Røyrvik, Trøndelag county, Norway, U.S, Sweden, Perpetua, Idaho, Arizona, California, California - Nevada, Germany, Italy, Boise, United States, China

☆ Net Zero Is Still Possible, but Clean Energy Spending Must Go Faster
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-26 | by ( Yusuf Khan | ) www.wsj.com time to read: +5 min

At least $4.5 trillion a year in clean-energy investments will be needed by the start of the 2030s to reach net zero by 2050, the IEA said. “We have the tools needed to go much faster,” the report said. It estimates that 80% of the emissions reduction needed by 2030 can come from increasing renewable generation, energy efficiency and electrification, as well as from cutting methane emissions. The new report comes as policies toward green energy globally are at a crossroads, with politicians balancing green ambitions with energy security and a cost-of-living squeeze. “Without efforts to reduce methane emissions from fossil fuel supply, global energy sector CO2 emissions would need to reach net zero by around 2045,” the report said.

Persons: Ajit Solanki, “, Yusuf Khan Organizations: Press, International Energy Agency, IEA, Business Locations: Surendranagar, Gujarat, India, Paris, Ukraine, China

☆ Saudi Oil Cuts Set to Keep Gasoline Prices Higher
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-13 | by ( Yusuf Khan | ) www.wsj.com time to read: 1 min

This copy is for your personal, non-commercial use only. Distribution and use of this material are governed by our Subscriber Agreement and by copyright law. For non-personal use or to order multiple copies, please contact Dow Jones Reprints at 1-800-843-0008 or visit www.djreprints.com. https://www.wsj.com/business/energy-oil/saudi-oil-cuts-set-to-keep-gasoline-prices-higher-a0769852

Persons: Dow Jones Locations: saudi

☆ In Quest for Battery Metals, U.S. Takes On Cobalt’s ‘Inconvenient Truth’
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-24 | by ( Alexandra Wexler | Yusuf Khan | ) www.wsj.com time to read: 1 min

This copy is for your personal, non-commercial use only. Distribution and use of this material are governed by our Subscriber Agreement and by copyright law. For non-personal use or to order multiple copies, please contact Dow Jones Reprints at 1-800-843-0008 or visit www.djreprints.com. https://www.wsj.com/business/in-quest-for-battery-metals-u-s-takes-on-cobalts-inconvenient-truth-80dd8cab

Persons: Dow Jones

☆ Building Green: New Technologies to Create Less Polluting Cement
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-24 | by ( Yusuf Khan | ) www.wsj.com time to read: +8 min

Roughly 7% of all carbon emissions today come from cement production, making it one of the highest-emitting industrial sectors, according to the consulting firm McKinsey. PREVIEW“Concrete is an essential building material,” said Claude Loréa, director of cement, innovation and ESG at the Global Cement and Concrete Association. About two thirds of the clinker emissions are released by the limestone when heated while the rest come from the combustion of fuels to create the heat. Increased efficiencyOne way the industry is looking to improve sustainability in cement production is by targeting efficiency gains. Cemex, one of the world’s largest cement producers, has been working with Switzerland-based Synhelion to produce clinker using solar energy rather than coal.

Persons: ”, Claude Loréa, Aidan O’Sullivan, ” O’Sullivan, Gianluca Ambrosetti, Christoph Beumelburg, Rick Fox, Fox, Partanna, Hurricane Dorian, Yusuf Khan Organizations: McKinsey, Sustainable Business, Global, Concrete Association, Carbon Re, International Energy Agency, IEA, Shell, National Basketball Association Locations: portland, Spain, Switzerland, Heidelberg, Brevik, Norway, Bergen, “, Delaware, Bahamas, Vegas, yusuf.khan

☆ Europe’s Mining Boom
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-15 | by ( Yusuf Khan | ) www.wsj.com time to read: 1 min

The Portuguese government is aiming for 85% of all electricity to be powered by renewables by 2030—it’s already at 60%. Ministers say it's the country’s duty to make the most of resources already in Europe before searching abroad.

Persons: — it’s Locations: Europe

☆ Europe Is Embarking on a Mining Renaissance. Winning Over Locals Is Proving a Challenge.
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-10 | by ( Yusuf Khan | ) www.wsj.com time to read: +12 min

“It’s definitely a [mining] renaissance,” said Rebecca Campbell, global mining and metals lead at law firm White & Case. “We’re trying to foster a permitting landscape that is both efficient and responsible.”In Europe, the mining renaissance comes after years of nearly no new mining activity on the continent. Left: A layer of spodumene within the host rock that Savannah Resources intends to mine. Savannah Resources, which has set up two offices in the municipality, has said it would strictly avoid that and instead build reservoirs to store rain water. That view is echoed by Savannah Resources.

Persons: COVAS, Portugal —, Barroso, BEL, mina ”, ”, Nelson Gomes, Covas, Alex Gorman, “, Nelson, YUSUF KHAN, “ It’s, Rebecca Campbell, ” “, Jayni Hein, Hein, “ We’re, Peel Hunt’s Gorman, Dale Ferguson, Gomes, Jessica Polfjärd, Polfjärd, Ana Fontoura Gouveia, Fontoura, ” Fontoura, Yusuf Khan Organizations: COVAS DO BARROSO, Associação, Peel, Vulcan Energy Resources, Adriatic Metals, White, Covington, Burling, Environmental, Council, Savannah Resources, Sustainable Business, Sweden’s Moderate Party, Serra Locations: Portugal, Porto, Boticas, Covas, It’s, Europe, Germany, Sweden, Bosnia, Finland, Greece, U.S, Savannah, London, spodumene, Serbia, China, yusuf.khan

☆ What Was Once a Weed Could Fuel Jet Engines
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-09 | by ( Yusuf Khan | ) www.wsj.com time to read: 1 min

This copy is for your personal, non-commercial use only. Distribution and use of this material are governed by our Subscriber Agreement and by copyright law. For non-personal use or to order multiple copies, please contact Dow Jones Reprints at 1-800-843-0008 or visit www.djreprints.com. https://www.wsj.com/articles/biofuel-renewable-diesel-cover-crops-2077c807

Persons: Dow Jones

☆ Why Russia Killed the Ukraine Grain Deal
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-20 | by ( Anna Hirtenstein | Yusuf Khan | ) www.wsj.com time to read: 1 min

This copy is for your personal, non-commercial use only. Distribution and use of this material are governed by our Subscriber Agreement and by copyright law. For non-personal use or to order multiple copies, please contact Dow Jones Reprints at 1-800-843-0008 or visit www.djreprints.com. https://www.wsj.com/articles/why-russia-killed-the-ukraine-grain-deal-faf1f8c5

Persons: Dow Jones Locations: russia, ukraine

☆ Mining Deploys Innovative Tech to Find Copper, Other EV Metals
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-20 | by ( Yusuf Khan | ) www.wsj.com time to read: +8 min

By adding bio-surfactants along with the other chemicals during the soaking process, more copper floats to the surface and less is wasted. Locus says its bio-surfactants increase copper yields by 7%, and save energy because less rock needs to be crushed. It is also testing its process on iron ore and tailings waste. Photo: douglas magno/Agence France-Presse/Getty ImagesGroups concerned about the environment frequently talk about mining waste or so-called tailings, mining companies less so. “Long term we need to get more suppliers of these metals, rare earths in particular.”Phoenix finds mine sites where the tailings waste is free from radioactive elements such as thorium and uranium.

Persons: Nico Cuevas, Tesla, Cuevas, ”, Fatih Birol, Urbix, “, ” Cuevas, Luke Sharrett, Gabi Knesel, Knesel, douglas magno, Vale, Nicholas Myers, Myers, Yusuf Khan Organizations: SK, South, Sustainable Business, International Energy Agency, Miners, EV, Bloomberg, “ Mining, BHP, Agence France, Getty Locations: Mexican, Arizona, U.S, Mexico, Mesa, South Korean, China, America, Madagascar, Tanzania, Northern Europe, Solon , Ohio, Brazil, Woburn, Mass, New York, yusuf.khan

☆ Bidding Wars Get Weird in One of World’s Hottest Rental Markets
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-18 | by ( Josh Mitchell | Yusuf Khan | ) www.wsj.com time to read: 1 min

This copy is for your personal, non-commercial use only. Distribution and use of this material are governed by our Subscriber Agreement and by copyright law. For non-personal use or to order multiple copies, please contact Dow Jones Reprints at 1-800-843-0008 or visit www.djreprints.com. https://www.wsj.com/articles/london-rental-apartment-landlord-personal-statement-2a4f1a0a

Persons: Dow Jones

☆ Canada Joins Nearly 20 Nations Calling for Halt to Deep-Sea Mining as Negotiators Meet to Agree Rules
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-11 | by ( Yusuf Khan | ) www.wsj.com time to read: +5 min

This week, delegates of the International Seabed Authority—a United Nations observer organization that regulates deep-sea mining in international waters—are descending on ISA headquarters in Kingston, Jamaica to hash out the regulations around deep-sea mining over the next two weeks. PREVIEWCanada, Ireland and Switzerland have all recently joined calls—by nearly 20 countries—for a moratorium or at least a pause on deep-sea mining. Norway recently opened the door to deep-sea mining in its waters. Deep-sea mining in recent years has garnered attention because of the possibility of recovering battery metals such as manganese and nickel from the seafloor. Some other early supporters of seabed mining, including Maersk and Lockheed Martin, have been selling their deep-sea mining investments.

Persons: —, Michael Lodge, Gerard Barron, Sandy Huffaker, GUSTAVO GRAF MALDONADO, Lockheed Martin, Yusuf Khan Organizations: United, Sustainable Business, ” Global Affairs Canada, ISA, Metals Co, Maersk, Press, Greenpeace, The Metals Co, REUTERS, Nauru wouldn’t, Lockheed Locations: Canada, United Nations, Kingston , Jamaica, Ireland, Switzerland, Norway, Nauru, yusuf.khan

☆ Norway Opens Door for Deep-Sea Mining of Copper and Other Critical Materials
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-20 | by ( Yusuf Khan | ) www.wsj.com time to read: +4 min

The target crusts contain copper, zinc and cobalt, as well as some rare-earth elements, according to the Norwegian Petroleum Directorate. A seabed nodule obtained during a Norwegian Petroleum Directorate expedition to the Mohns Ridge in the Norwegian Sea in 2020. Currently, deep-sea mining in international waters isn’t yet legal, but it is expected to become so this year. “To forge ahead and unleash deep-sea mining in the Arctic would be criminal. Companies including Maersk and Lockheed Martin have also been divesting their deep-sea mining investments.

Persons: ”, Terje Aasland, Aasland, Nag, Louisa Casson, Lockheed Martin, Yusuf Khan Organizations: Sustainable Business, Clarion, Minerals, Norwegian Petroleum Directorate, Norway’s, Petroleum, Energy, NPD, International, Companies, Mining, Greenpeace International, Maersk, Lockheed Locations: Norwegian, Europe, Zone, Mexico, Hawaii, Norway, Jamaica, France, Germany, Clarion, yusuf.khan

☆ Norway Opens Door For Deep-Sea Mining of Copper and Other Critical Materials
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-20 | by ( Yusuf Khan | ) www.wsj.com time to read: +4 min

Search resuls for: "Yusuf Khan"

25 mentions found