The Commerce and Trade Minister of India, Piyush Goyal, and U.S. Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo signed their names to an agreement last week promising to cooperate on strengthening supply chains in the two countries for lithium, cobalt and other critical minerals. The Commerce Department said in a statement October 3 that the now-inked memorandum of understanding aims to build resilience…
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Sibanye-Stillwater PGM mines face layoffs
Sibanye-Stillwater – the owner of the only platinum and palladium mines in the U.S. – has plans to lay off 700 employees at its operations in Montana due to declining prices for palladium, reported the Associated Press. Full story.
Read MoreIndia to fund better extraction technology
Reuters has reported that India plans to provide nearly $50 million to fund collaborations between research institutes and companies to further aid critical minerals extraction as the country tries to cut its near-total reliance on imports of lithium and rare earth minerals. So far, the news agency noted, India’s attempts to create a critical minerals mining industry have faltered. The…
Read MoreUS Critical Materials to use AI in exploration activities
US Critical Materials has entered a strategic exploration alliance with VerAI Discoveries, an AI-powered mineral discovery generator focused on uncovering essential critical minerals for the sustainable future. Full story.
Read MoreIndia to auction more critical mineral blocks
India has launched the second part of its critical minerals auction worth an estimated 30 trillion rupees (about US$362 billion), reported Reuters. Eighteen critical mineral blocks will be auctioned in eight states across the country. The government said 17 of the blocks have been put up for a composite licence, which includes a licence to examine a block and mine…
Read MoreCritical minerals expertise makes Missouri S&T a top tech hub
Missouri University of Science and Technology’s expertise in critical minerals and materials research has led to its selection as one of 31 Regional Innovation and Technology Hubs (Tech Hubs) funded through the CHIPS and Science Act. Full story.
Read MoreIndonesia seeks critical minerals deal with U.S.
Indonesia has requested trade talks with the United States to ensure that its exports of critical minerals are covered under the U.S. Inflation Reduction Act as it seeks to become a major EV manufacturer, reported Reuters. Under guidelines of the law, a certain amount of critical minerals in electric vehicle (EV) batteries are required to be produced or assembled in…
Read MoreBHP Xplor program seeks next cohort
BHP Xplor, a six-month accelerator program in the pursuit of unlocking critical minerals, has started a global search for its 2024 cohort of early-stage explorers and startups. The program is designed to provide selected participants with the opportunity to accelerate their exploration concepts through funding, mentorship and coaching. Selected companies will receive up to US$500,000 cash payment from BHP, together…
Read MoreMissouri S&T hosts national discussion on critical minerals crisis
For more than 150 years, Missouri University of Science and Technology (S&T) has been a leader in the field of mineral recovery, and that continued to be the case last week when the university hosted the third annual Resilient Supply of Critical Minerals national workshop. Full story.
Read MoreDOE to invest in first-ever critical minerals facility
The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) said it has earmarked $16 million for two projects in West Virginia and North Dakota for the development of a first-of-its-kind rare earth element and critical minerals extraction and separation refinery. Read the full story here.
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