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

☆ 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

☆ 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

☆ 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

☆ 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 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

☆ 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

☆ 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

☆ A ‘Dirty’ Job That Few Want: Mining Companies Struggle to Hire for the Energy Transition
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-01 | by ( Yusuf Khan | ) www.wsj.com time to read: +10 min

Despite their part in the energy transition, mining companies face a perception of being in a “dirty” industry thanks to a legacy of mining disasters and accusations of worker exploitation and sexual assault. Canada’s mining and mineral-engineering enrollment was down 10% in 2020 compared with 2016, according to Canada’s Mining Industry Human Resources Council. SHARE YOUR THOUGHTS What message should mining companies deliver to young workers to attract them to the industry? Mining companies also face accusations of exploitation of local workforces. She hopes that younger workers will help mining companies evolve, taking on more social responsibility and improving their mining practices.

Persons: Lily Dickson, Mawson, ”, Alex Gorman, Peel Hunt, Rohitesh Dhawan, Alex Gorman “, Gorman, “, Haydon Mort, Stacy Hope, Cole Burston, Hope, Codelco, Centamin, Martin Horgan, Mort, Geologize, Jamie Kelsey Fry, Dickson, Yusuf Khan Organizations: University of Leeds, Leeds, Rio Tinto, McKinsey, U.S . National Center for Education Statistics, Canada’s Mining, Resources Council, Peel, International Council, Mining, Metals, Tinto, of Labor Statistics, Australian Bureau, Statistics, Geologize Ltd, BHP, . Workers, Bloomberg, Codelco, Chilean, Walmart, Recruiting, Centamin, Sustainable Business, “ Locations: Finland, Vancouver, Europe, U.S, Australia, Rio, South Africa, Lily Dickson Canada, Botswana, “, Saharan Africa, Ontario, Canada, Chile, Africa, Congo, Ghana, Zimbabwe, yusuf.khan

☆ Pro Take: Can Nickel, Cobalt and Other Battery Metals Be Sourced Sustainably?
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-11 | by ( Yusuf Khan | ) www.wsj.com time to read: +6 min

Lockheed Martin and Norway’s Storebrand also have recently sold their interests in deep-sea mining companies. Others including German luxury carmaker BMW have said that, given environmental concerns, they won’t use battery metals sourced from the deep sea. More than a dozen countries are concerned about the environmental impact of the practice and are calling for a moratorium on seabed mining. A nickel mining site on the island of Sulawesi, Indonesia. Proponents of deep-sea mining say the nascent practice is a less harmful way to extract nickel than how the mineral is currently sourced in Indonesia.

☆ Shipping Giant Maersk Drops Deep Sea Mining Investment
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-03 | by ( Yusuf Khan | ) www.wsj.com time to read: +4 min

Shipping company A.P. Moller-Maersk is selling its stake in deep-sea mining firm The Metals Company, even as the legal process to allow seabed mining approaches its final stages. The shipping company held more than 9% of TMC in 2021, according to data from FactSet and has been an investor in the company since 2017. TMC is one of the biggest proponents of deep-sea mining and is the most active company within the space, being the first to complete pilot testing. TMC and other deep-sea mining firms have come under fire over worries that the practice will harm the seabed environment.

☆ The U.S. Wants a Rare-Earths Supply Chain. Here’s Why It Won’t Come Easily.
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-25 | by ( Yusuf Khan | ) www.wsj.com time to read: +10 min

MP Materials efforts to build a local supply chain demonstrate the challenge for American producers. Challenging China’s dominanceWhile the 60% might not sound that concentrated, the dependence on China is even more pronounced further down the supply chain. James Litinsky, CEO of MP Materials, stands in front of the Mountain Pass mine in 2018. But if you miss one step then you do not have a supply chain that’s secure,” Mr. Litinsky said. Defense Metals’ Ms. Moreno said that little knowledge exists outside of China in building the whole supply chain.

☆ Copper Shortage Threatens Green Transition
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-18 | by ( Yusuf Khan | ) www.wsj.com time to read: +5 min

In 2021, refined copper demand stood at 25.3 million tons, according to the International Copper Study Group. Mined output globally in 2022 was 21.8 million tons according to the International Copper Study Group, rising only 1 million tons over the previous three years. According to Congo’s Ministry of Mines, copper metal exports totaled 2.3 million metric tons in 2022, up from 1.8 million metric tons in 2021, less than half of Chile’s output. According to analysts it is more of a “when” not an “if” copper demand is likely to surge. Changes in technology should ease some copper demand pressures.

☆ Increasing Export Restrictions on Critical Minerals Threaten Energy Transition, OECD Says
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-11 | by ( Yusuf Khan | ) www.wsj.com time to read: +3 min

Rising export restrictions on lithium, cobalt and other raw materials critical to the energy transition threaten to slow the move to a greener economy, according to the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development. In a new report, the OECD said that over the last decade, export restrictions on critical minerals—usually in the form of taxes—have increased more than fivefold. Now roughly 10% of the global value of critical raw material exports face at least one export restriction measure. These countries hold some of the largest reserves of critical raw materials and account for a significant share of their global production. Despite the additional export controls, demand for these critical materials is increasing as is trade in them, said the OECD.

☆ EU Draft Law Sets Out Moves to Secure Critical Energy Transition Materials
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-09 | by ( Yusuf Khan | ) www.wsj.com time to read: +5 min

According to draft legislation seen by The Wall Street Journal, the Critical Raw Materials Act aims to set standards and promote policy designed to ensure Europe has the metals and minerals it deems necessary for its energy transition and defense and energy security. The Critical Raw Materials Act will also make it easier to mine and process the materials within the bloc; establish a European Critical Minerals Board; identify strategic projects to mine, process and recycle the materials; and work to ensure those projects have quick permitting and sufficient funding. It also said the EU should be able to extract 10% and process 40% of its strategic raw material needs while also expanding recycling capacity so that 15% of consumption can come from secondary sources by 2030. Other countries such as Japan have put in place similar plans to secure raw materials. Raw materials projects could also be labeled as being in the public interest or as strategic, which could further streamline funding.

☆ EU Draft Law Sets Out Moves to Secure Supply of Critical Energy Transition Materials
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-09 | by ( Yusuf Khan | ) www.wsj.com time to read: +5 min

According to draft legislation seen by The Wall Street Journal, the Critical Raw Materials Act aims to set standards and promote policy designed to ensure Europe has the metals and minerals it deems necessary for its energy transition and defense and energy security. The Critical Raw Materials Act will also make it easier to mine and process the materials within the bloc; establish a European Critical Minerals Board; identify strategic projects to mine, process and recycle the materials; and work to ensure those projects have quick permitting and sufficient funding. The purchasing system would negotiate with global sellers but will be structured to comply with EU competition law. Other countries such as Japan have put in place similar plans to secure raw materials. Raw materials projects could also be labeled as being in the public interest or as strategic, which could further streamline funding.

☆ Lithium Industry Looks to Australia for Refining, Not Just Mining
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-21 | by ( Yusuf Khan | ) www.wsj.com time to read: +4 min

Chinese companies refine it into lithium sulfate and then process it into the lithium hydroxide used to make cathodes for batteries. China plays an outsize role in battery production, accounting for 44% of all lithium refining globally and 70% of battery cell production, according to Benchmark Mineral Intelligence. Some companies also are building European facilities for the next stage of the process: refining lithium sulfate into lithium hydroxide. Lithium mining projects in Germany and Portugal have emerged, although the permitting process can be complex, particularly if there is local opposition. In the meantime, new processing facilities can be built in three to five years, creating more opportunities for lithium mining companies.

☆ LG Chem Buys Stake in North Carolina Lithium Miner
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-20 | by ( Yusuf Khan | ) www.wsj.com time to read: +3 min

South Korea’s LG Chem will take a stake in Piedmont Lithium Inc., boosting its North American presence and banking on incentives to scale up its role in U.S. electric-vehicle supply chain. LG Chem will commit $75 million to Piedmont in return for a 5.7% stake in the miner, whose shares are listed on the Nasdaq and Australian Securities Exchange. PREVIEWThe U.S. is our key market and by preemptively securing raw materials this deal allows LG Chem to provide North American customers with products that satisfy IRA standards, said Mr. Hak-Cheol Shin, Vice Chairman and CEO of LG Chem in a statement. LG Chem is planning to build a $3 billion cathode plant in Clarksville, Tenn., slated to open in 2027. Already, Piedmont has an existing contract to supply Tesla with 50,000 tons annually until 2025, in addition to its new LG Chem supply deal.

☆ Why Processing Sweden’s Rare-Earth Haul Won’t Be Easy
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-09 | by ( Yusuf Khan | ) www.wsj.com time to read: +4 min

The find is adjacent to the company’s Kiruna iron-ore mine, an operation that would eventually be expanded to extract the rare earths plus phosphorus, a critical mineral for fertilizers. The company said it would take 10 to 15 years to start recovering the rare earths. LKAB facilities in Kiruna, Sweden. Also, LKAB reported that its find has a total rare-earth oxide level of 0.18%, a low level of concentration. U.K.-based Pensana PLC aims to mine rare-earth concentrates in Angola, before separating and processing them in the north of England.

Search resuls for: "yusuf.khan"

25 mentions found