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☆ Federal appeals court throws out lawsuit against Apple, Google, Tesla and other tech giants over alleged child labor in Congo
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-05 | by ( Devan Cole | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +2 min

CNN —A federal appeals court on Tuesday threw out a lawsuit that sought to hold Apple, Google, Tesla and other major tech companies liable for their alleged use of child labor to mine cobalt in the Democratic Republic of Congo. “The plaintiffs have not adequately alleged the Tech Companies participated in a venture because there is no shared enterprise between the Companies and the suppliers who facilitate forced labor,” Rao wrote. “The Tech Companies own no interest in their suppliers. A federal judge in DC had previously thrown the case out. The defendants in the case were Apple, Alphabet (which owns Google), Dell Technologies, Microsoft and Tesla.

Persons: Neomi Rao, “, ” Rao, Rao, Michelle Toh Organizations: CNN, Apple, Google, Democratic, DC Circuit, Appeals, “, Tech Companies, Companies, DC, Dell Technologies, Microsoft, International Rights Locations: Democratic Republic of Congo, Congo

Antara Foto/Jojon/via REUTERS Acquire Licensing RightsLONDON, Nov 1 (Reuters) - The bears are out in force on the London Metal Exchange (LME) nickel market. The global nickel market is entering a period of massive oversupply thanks to an Indonesian production boom. INSG assessed monthly nickel supply-demand balanceBIG SURPLUSThe big short is a bet on a big surplus. The global nickel market moved into supply-demand surplus in May last year and has been there ever since, according to the International Nickel Study Group. The exact timing of that tipping-point is still unknown, which means the big short is still a big bet that the supply chain can close the nickel product gap sooner rather than later.

Persons: Antara, aren't, it's, It's, Kirsten Donovan Organizations: PT Vale Indonesia, REUTERS Acquire, London Metal Exchange, Fund, Investment, Study, EV, Shanghai Futures, GAP Indonesia, Jingmen, New Energy Science, Reuters, Thomson Locations: Sorowako, South Sulawesi, Indonesia, Indonesian, London

☆ LG Chem partners with Huayou Group to build joint LFP cathode plant in Morocco
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-24 | by ( Heekyong Yang | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

The logo of LG Chem is seen at its office building in Seoul, South Korea, October 16, 2020. REUTERS/Kim Hong-Ji/File Photo Acquire Licensing RightsSummaryCompanies LG Chem to build joint LFP cathode plant in Morocco with China's YoushanCompany to enter LFP cathode business for the first timeCompany partners with Huayou Group to build 4 facilities in Morocco and IndonesiaSEOUL, Sept 24 (Reuters) - South Korea's LG Chem Ltd (051910.KS) said on Sunday it has entered into partnership with China's Huayou Group's subsidiary Youshan to build a joint electric vehicle (EV) battery material plant in Morocco in an effort to diversify its portfolio. LG Chem said LFP cathodes produced at the Morocco plant will be supplied to the North American market and receive subsidies from the U.S. Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) as Morocco is a free-trade partner with the United States. LG Chem and Youshan would need to adjust their respective equity share in compliance with the U.S. Treasury Department's guideline of a "foreign entity of concern," a provision aimed at China, LG Chem said in the statement. The size of LG Chem's investments for its four facilities with Huayou Group has not been finalised yet.

Persons: Kim Hong, China's, LG Chem, LFP cathodes, Heekyong Yang, Shri Navaratnam Organizations: LG Chem, REUTERS, China's Youshan Company, Huayou Group, LG Chem Ltd, LG, North, U.S, U.S . Treasury, U.S . Treasury Department, Huayou, Thomson Locations: Seoul, South Korea, Morocco, Indonesia SEOUL, KS, United States, Korea, China, U.S, Indonesia

SEOUL/SHANGHAI, July 31 (Reuters) - Chinese battery materials firms are ramping up investment in South Korea, announcing projects worth at least $4.4 billion this year to try to meet U.S. electric vehicle (EV) tax credit rules aimed at lowering reliance on China's supply chains. The IRA, designed to wean the U.S. off the Chinese supply chain for electric vehicles (EVs), will also eventually bar tax credits if any EV battery components were manufactured by a "foreign entity of concern", a provision aimed at China. South Korea has a free-trade agreement with the United States that would likely make batteries manufactured in the North Asian nation and later installed in U.S.-manufactured electric cars eligible for the federal tax credits. SK On and its supplier EcoPro Co (086520.KQ) also announced a joint venture with China's Green Eco Manufacture to make battery precursors in South Korea. POSCO Holdings (005490.KS) said last month it would cooperate with China's CNGR Advanced Material (300919.SZ) on nickel refining and precursor production in South Korea.

Persons: Kang Dong, hasn't, China's, 1,274.0000, Heekyong Yang, Zoey Zhang, Miyoung Kim, Tom Hogue Organizations: SK, U.S, Hyundai Motor Securities, China JV, U.S . Treasury Department, South, New Energy Technology, Reuters, Zhejiang, LG Chem, LG Energy, EcoPro, China's, POSCO Holdings, LG, Samsung SDI, EV, Thomson Locations: SEOUL, SHANGHAI, South Korea, United States, China, U.S, Korea, Ningbo, Seoul, South Korean, Korean, KS, Shanghai

☆ Ford signs battery material supply deals to charge up EV output
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-22 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

May 22 (Reuters) - Ford Motor Co (F.N) on Monday unveiled three deals for the supply of lithium products, including lithium hydroxide, as the automaker ramps up electric vehicle (EV) production to 2 million units by the end of 2026. The deals come as North American automakers race to secure supplies of battery materials to boost EV output and catch up with market leader Tesla Inc (TSLA.O) amid surging demand for environment-friendly vehicles. The long-term deal with Canada's Nemaska Lithium is for the supply of up to 13,000 tons of lithium hydroxide every year, while the contract with EnergySource Minerals will help Ford receive lithium hydroxide from the Imperial Valley, California site, expected to be operational in 2025. Ford also disclosed a five-year agreement with Albemarle Corp (ALB.N) to supply more than 100,000 metric tons of battery-grade lithium hydroxide for about 3 million future Ford EV batteries. The lithium hydroxide produced by Nemaska should help qualify Ford vehicles for consumer tax benefits under the U.S. Inflation Reduction Act, the automaker said.

☆ US Senator Rubio seeks probe of Ford's Chinese partnership on nickel plant
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-03 | by ( David Shepardson | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

Senator Marcio Rubio on Wednesday asked the Biden administration to investigate Ford Motor Co's (F.N) plan to partner with PT Vale Indonesia (INCO.JK) and China's Zhejiang Huayou Cobalt in a $4.5 billion nickel processing plant in Indonesia. Indonesia, which has the world's biggest nickel reserves, has been trying to develop downstream industries for the metal, ultimately aiming to produce batteries and electric vehicles. Vale and Huayou began construction of the plant in November and commercial operation is expected to start in 2026. He had already asked the Biden administration to review the deal to use technology from CATL. Rubio wants to block tax credits for electric vehicle batteries produced using Chinese technology, in a bid to prevent Chinese companies from benefiting.

☆ Volkswagen to partner on Indonesia EV battery ecosystem -minister
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-17 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

JAKARTA, April 17 (Reuters) - Volkswagen will build an electric vehicle (EV) battery ecosystem in Indonesia and will partner with miner Vale, Ford and China's battery minerals producer Zhejiang Huayou Cobalt, the Southeast Asian country's investment minister said. Minister Bahlil Lahadalia said on Sunday that Volkswagen, Europe's biggest automaker, will work with Vale, Ford, Huayou, French miner Eramet and several Indonesian firms such as Merdeka Gold Copper, the parent company of Merdeka Battery, and energy firm Kalla Group. Volkswagen, Ford, Eramet, Kalla Group, Huayou, and Merdeka Gold Copper did not immediately respond to requests for comment. PT Vale Indonesia declined to comment. Last month, Ford (F.N) inked its first investment in Indonesia by joining Vale Indonesia and Huayou in a $4.5 billion nickel processing plant in Southeast Sulawesi.

☆ Volkswagen to partner with Vale, Ford, Huayou on Indonesia EV battery ecosystem -minister
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-17 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

JAKARTA, April 17 (Reuters) - Volkswagen will build an electric vehicle (EV) battery ecosystem in Indonesia and will partner with miner Vale, Ford and China's battery minerals producer Zhejiang Huayou Cobalt, the Southeast Asian country's investment minister said. Minister Bahlil Lahadalia said in a video statement Volkswagen, Europe's biggest automaker, will work with Vale, Ford, Huayou, French miner Eramet and several Indonesian firms such as Merdeka Gold Copper, the parent company of Merdeka Battery, and energy firm Kalla Group. Volkswagen, Ford, Eramet, Merdeka Battery, Kalla Group, Merdeka Gold Copper did not immediately respond to requests for comment. PT Vale Indonesia declined to comment. Last month, Ford (F.N) inked its first investment in Indonesia by joining Vale Indonesia and Huayou in a $4.5 billion nickel processing plant in Pomalaa in Southeast Sulawesi, where Vale operates a nickel mine.

☆ Indonesia to propose limited free trade deal with US on critical minerals
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-10 | by ( Reuters Staff | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

Slideshow ( 2 images )JAKARTA (Reuters) - Indonesia will propose a free trade agreement for some minerals shipped to the United States so that companies in the electric vehicle battery supply chain operating in the country can benefit from U.S. tax credits, a senior minister said on Monday. Washington has issued a new guidance for EV tax credits under the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA), requiring a certain value of battery components to be produced or assembled in North America or a free trade partner. Indonesia does not have a free trade agreement with the United States, but its nickel products have increasingly become important in the battery supply chain. Asked about the new IRA guidelines, Indonesian minister Luhut Pandjaitan, who has been spearheading efforts to attract U.S. companies, told a news conference Jakarta will propose a limited free trade agreement (FTA) with Washington. “It’s the same in essence, that for critical minerals there will be free trade with requirements on processing, such as for nickel, aluminium, cobalt, copper,” he said.

☆ Ford Invests in $4.5 Billion Indonesia Facility to Secure Nickel for EV Batteries
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-30 | by ( Jon Emont | ) www.wsj.com time to read: 1 min

Ford Motor Co. is investing in a $4.5 billion nickel processing facility in Indonesia as the auto maker seeks to secure a supply of key minerals used in electric-vehicle batteries. The project also involves PT Vale Indonesia TBK, which controls a large nickel-mining area on Indonesia’s Sulawesi island, and China’s Zhejiang Huayou Cobalt Co., a leading refiner.

☆ Ford signs $4.5 bln deal with Vale Indonesia, Huayou for EV battery material plant
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-30 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

SOROWAKO, Indonesia, March 30 (Reuters) - U.S. carmaker Ford Motor Co (F.N) signed a final investment agreement with PT Vale Indonesia (INCO.JK), and China's Zhejiang Huayou Cobalt on Thursday to build nickel processing plant, valued at around $4.5 billion. Indonesia, which has the biggest nickel reserve in the world, has been trying to develop downstream industries for the metal, with ambitions to eventually produce batteries and electric vehicles. Vale and Huayou commenced construction of the plant in November. Thursday's signing was a follow up to a non-binding memorandum of cooperation for the plant that the three companies had signed last year. Indonesia's government has from 2020 banned export of unprocessed nickel ore to ensure supply for existing and potential investors.

☆ Is the U.S. falling behind China in Africa’s lithium industry?
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-09 | by ( Sydney Boyo | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +6 min

The demand for lithium is rising as it has become a critical component needed in electric vehicle batteries. Zimbabwe has been mining lithium for 60 years and the government estimates that its Chinese-owned Bikita Minerals Mine, which is located 300 kilometers south of the capital Harare, has about 11 million metric tons of lithium resources. In December 2022, Zimbabwe passed the Base Mineral Export Control Act that banned the export of raw lithium. That includes Chinese firms Zhejiang Huayou Cobalt , Sinomine Resource Group and Chengxin Lithium Group which have invested $678 million into lithium projects in Zimbabwe. Both the Bikita mine, which is the largest lithium mine in the country, and the Arcadia Lithium mine are Chinese owned.

Zimbabwe has been mining lithium for 60 years and the government estimates that its Chinese-owned Bikita mine, which is located 300 km south of the capital Harare, has about 11 million metric tons of lithium resources. In December, the country passed the Base Mineral Export Control Act, which banned the export of raw lithium. However, companies that are already developing mines or processing plants in Zimbabwe are exempt from this ban. This includes Chinese firms Zhejiang Huayou Cobalt , Sinomine Resource Group and Chengxin Lithium Group , which have invested $678 million into lithium projects in Zimbabwe. CNBC explores Zimbabwe's mining sector to find out why China has a stronghold on the country and why it matters to the U.S.

☆ Investments in Indonesia's nickel industry
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-06 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +4 min

Here are some of the major investment deals involving nickel in Indonesia:Jan. 2020: Indonesia bans exports of unprocessed nickel to attract investment in downstream processing. Dec. 2020: Indonesia's investment ministry signs an MOU with LG Energy Solution (373220.KS) on integrated EV battery investment with total investment of $9.8 billion. 2021: Indonesia establishes the Indonesia Battery Corporation (IBC), a joint venture of state owned enterprises to cooperate with foreign investors in developing an EV battery supply chain. Jan. 2022: Indonesia's Investment Ministry signs an MoU with Foxconn (2317.TW), Gogoro Inc, IBC and Indika Energy (INDY.JK) for investment in electric vehicle and battery development. Sept 2022: Vale Indonesia signs an agreement with Zhejiang Huayou to build a second plant to produce nickel MHP with 60,000 tonnes capacity.

☆ Indonesia says BASF, Eramet near $2.6 bln deal to process nickel for EV batteries
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-19 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

[1/2] A logo is seen on the facade of the BASF plant and former Ciba production site in Schweizerhalle near Basel July 7, 2009. Indonesia's investment ministry cited BASF chief executive Martin Brudermüller as saying the project investment would be worth around 2.4 billion euros ($2.59 billion). Eramet spokeswoman Fanny Mounier said the project was subject to a final investment decision and further details would be disclosed if a decision was made. The planned plant would produce mixed hydroxide precipitate (MHP) from nickel through a high-pressure acid leach (HPAL) plant. Investment into MHP production in Indonesia has so far been dominated by Chinese companies such as Zhejiang Huayou Cobalt and Tsingshan Holding Group.

☆ BASF, Eramet near $2.6 bln Indonesia deal to process nickel for EV batteries
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-18 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

JAKARTA, Jan 18 (Reuters) - Germany's BASF (BASFn.DE) and French miner Eramet (ERMT.PA) are finalising a $2.6 billion partnership deal to invest in a facility in Indonesia to process nickel for use in batteries for electric vehicles, Indonesian officials said. The project investment would be worth around 2.4 billion euros ($2.59 billion), the investment ministry said, citing BASF chief executive Martin Brudermüller. BASF and Eramet's investment plan was in line with the government's "aspirations to set up Indonesia as world-class EV player," said Investment Minister Bahlil Lahadalia. Indonesia is also finalising agreements with Chinese automaker BYD Group and Tesla (TSLA.O) to invest in EV production facilities, a senior cabinet minister said on Tuesday. Investment into MHP production in Indonesia has so far been dominated by Chinese companies such as Zhejiang Huayou Cobalt and Tsingshan Holding Group.

☆ Zimbabwe bans raw lithium exports to curb artisanal mining
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-21 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

The southern African country holds some of the world's largest reserves of hard rock lithium, a vital mineral in the production of clean energy technologies. London-listed Premier African Minerals (PREM.L) says it will start shipping spodumene concentrate from its Zimbabwe lithium mine to China from March 2023, after signing an offtake deal with Suzhou TA&A Ultra Clean Technology Co (300390.SZ). "No lithium bearing ores, or unbeneficiated lithium whatsoever, shall be exported from Zimbabwe to another country," read the regulation published in a government notice issued by Mines Minister Winston Chitando. The notice said the ban does not apply to the export of lithium concentrates, which all the major lithium miners in the country plan to produce. Mnangagwa said the raw lithium was being exported through neighbouring countries.

☆ Zimbabwe's new mineral royalty policy comes into force
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-08 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

[1/2] A worker attends to machinery at a smelter plant at Anglo American Platinum's Unki mine in Shurugwi, Zimbabwe, May 16, 2019. The southern African country has struggled to capitalise on its significant mineral reserves and a resource boom due to policy uncertainty, a lack of ancillary industries to support mining, currency volatility and electricity shortages. The cash component of the royalties would be made up of 40% Zimbabwean dollars and 10% in foreign currency, according to the notice. Zimbabwe's royalty rates range between 5% for gold and platinum group metals and 10% for diamonds. The Zimbabwe Chamber of Mines, which represents major mining companies, has said it is not worried about the new royalty policy because it does not amount to an increase in existing royalty rates.

☆ Ford, Hyundai discussing EV investments with Indonesia - Indonesian minister
▼ + stars: | 2022-10-24 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

Ford logo is pictured at the 2019 Frankfurt Motor Show (IAA) in Frankfurt, Germany September 10, 2019. REUTERS/Wolfgang RattayDETROIT, Oct 24 (Reuters) - Indonesia is in discussions with Ford Motor Co(F.N) and Hyundai Motor Co(005380.KS) to establish operations related to electric vehicles in the Southeast Asian country, Indonesia Coordinating Minister for Economic Affairs, Airlangga Hartarto, told an audience in Washington, D.C. on Thursday. Ford, nickel miner Vale Indonesia and China's Zhejiang Huayou Cobalt said in July they had signed a non-binding memorandum of cooperation to build a plant in Indonesia to extract nickel chemicals. Hartarto said Indonesia also is in discussions with Hyundai and South Korean battery maker LG Energy Solution over battery and EV investments. "We have raw materials for EV battery technologies," Hartarto told an audience at the Center for Strategic and International Studies.

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