Diversification away from China and its supply of critical minerals such as copper would put the global energy transition goals in jeopardy, analysts at Wood Mackenzie warned. In a report this week, the firm warned that removing China from the world’s copper supply chain would create a $85 billion gap for Western economies to fill, […]
Battery Metals
Giant metal stockpile in Singapore sparks rare warehouse battle
Metal stockpiles are surging in Singapore, and slowing global demand is only part of the reason. Refined zinc and lead have been pouring into Singapore since the middle of last year, making one of the smallest countries in the world a critical vault for companies including Trafigura Group and Glencore Plc. The combined inventories of […]
Natron plans $1.4 bln sodium-ion battery plant in North Carolina
Natron Energy said on Thursday it planned to invest $1.4 billion in a sodium-ion battery manufacturing plant in North Carolina, potentially raising the company’s production capacity by 40 times. The facility, located in Edgecombe County of the state, will produce 24 gigawatts (GW) of battery storage at full capacity on an annual basis. This compares […]
Iron ore price hits over 14-mth low as weak China property data clouds demand outlook
Iron ore futures prices extended their declines to a fourth straight session on Thursday, hitting their lowest level in more than 14 months, as persistently weak property data in top consumer China exacerbated pessimism over the demand outlook. The most-traded January iron ore contract on China’s Dalian Commodity Exchange (DCE) ended morning trade 2.09% lower […]
Gold price falls 1% as chances of larger Fed rate cut dwindle
Gold prices fell over 1% on Wednesday after data showed US consumer prices rebounded as expected in July, pouring cold water on expectations of a sizeable Federal Reserve rate cut next month. Spot gold fell about 1% to $2,443.41 per ounce by 12:50 p.m. ET, while US gold futures slipped 1.1% to $2,481.60 an ounce. […]
Gold price nears month high ahead of US inflation data
Gold prices broke out of a slump on Monday as traders await key US economic data that may boost the chances of a Federal Reserve pivot to monetary easing next month. Spot gold gained 1.5% as of 1:35 p.m. ET to $2,466.28 per ounce, near its highest in a month. US gold futures surpassed the $2,500 […]
Australia’s fledgling batteries downstream sector at a crossroads
Australia’s efforts to establish a downstream lithium sector were dealt another blow last week when Albemarle (NYSE: ALB) suspended parts of its Kemerton hydroxide plant, south of Perth. The Kemerton facility was planned to have four 25,000 tonne-per-annum production trains, with the first two being completed in 2022, later than expected and over budget. Following a review […]
Koehler-Chung battery recycling bill becomes Illinois law
Gov. JB Pritzker on Friday signed a battery recycling law sponsored by State Rep. Sharon Chung of Bloomington and State Sen. Dave Koehler of Peoria. Under the law, battery sellers or distributors will have to develop a recycling stewardship program for small- to medium-sized batteries by 2026. Medium-sized batteries include those made for electric bikes […]
Gold price on pace for worst week since early June
Gold steadied on Friday after a sharp upturn in the previous session, as new US economic data assuaged concerns of a recession and made the safe haven metal less attractive to investors. Spot gold was little moved at $2,428.66 per ounce, having posted its biggest one-day surge in three weeks at 1.9% the day before. […]
Meet the new U.S. battery lobby
Domestic companies in the battery supply chain are launching a new industry coalition that seeks stronger support for U.S. projects. Why it matters: Battery Advocacy for Technology Transformation aims to occupy a unique lobbying role in the crowded space. Former high-level Energy Department officials steeped in battery and materials policy are running the effort. It aims to […]
