MINEX Forum

Tag: sustainable mining

  • UK and Saudi Arabia Strengthen Collaboration in Mining for Critical Minerals

    UK and Saudi Arabia Strengthen Collaboration in Mining for Critical Minerals

    Saudi Arabia and the UK have formalized a partnership to address growing global demand for critical minerals essential for AI, green energy, and advanced technologies. The agreement, signed during the Future Minerals Forum, emphasizes sustainable mining, technology transfer, and joint investments.

    UK Industry Minister Sarah Jones highlighted Britain’s expertise in mining finance and research, positioning it as a key partner. Both nations are exploring projects in Africa and initiatives in the UK, such as Cornwall’s lithium and tin mining. Efforts focus on ethical and sustainable practices to meet mineral demands while addressing environmental and societal concerns.

    This collaboration reflects a proactive UK strategy under Prime Minister Keir Starmer, prioritizing supply chain security and global cooperation to support industries critical to the green transition and technological progress.

  • Ukraine and USA Partner on Critical Minerals Supply Chain Cooperation

    Ukraine and USA Partner on Critical Minerals Supply Chain Cooperation

    The governments of Ukraine and the United States have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to enhance cooperation in the critical minerals sector, focusing on strengthening supply chains for energy, national security, and economic development.

    Ukraine holds 23 of the 50 critical minerals identified by the United States as essential. These minerals, including titanium and lithium, require significant investments and advanced environmentally friendly technologies for exploration, extraction, and processing.

    Under the MoU, both nations will exchange information and expertise on best practices to boost the competitiveness of the mining sector. The agreement aims to attract investment in the exploration, extraction, processing, and recycling of critical minerals, adhering to ESG standards. It also supports the development of safe, sustainable, and responsible supply chains to serve global markets.

    The United States will promote investment opportunities in Ukraine’s mining projects among US companies and the Minerals Security Partnership Forum. Success will depend on Ukraine’s ability to implement key measures, including free access to mineral reserve data, international bidding rounds, access to detailed mining business opportunities, and the creation of financial and economic incentives.

    This collaboration positions Ukraine as a potential hub for critical mineral development, advancing global efforts in securing sustainable mineral resources.

  • Vulcan Energy to Begin Large-Scale Lithium Production in Germany by 2027

    Vulcan Energy to Begin Large-Scale Lithium Production in Germany by 2027

    Vulcan Energy Resources, a company focused on producing sustainable lithium, has announced its goal to begin large-scale lithium hydroxide production in Germany by 2027, after pushing back its timeline by two years. The company recently commenced operations at its lithium chloride demonstration plant in Landau and aims to produce 24,000 tons of lithium hydroxide annually—enough to support 500,000 electric vehicles. CEO Christian Freitag cited the extended financing process as a factor in the delay, with Vulcan now raising €1.9 billion. Funding will include over €600 million in equity and €1.3 billion in loans from multiple sources, including a €500 million commitment from the European Investment Bank.

    This production marks a significant step for Europe’s energy goals, helping reduce dependence on lithium imports from China and South America. Vulcan’s extraction method, powered by geothermal energy, aligns with Germany’s goal for a low-carbon lithium source to support the EV sector’s growing demand. Vulcan has already sold its first decade’s production through agreements with major automotive manufacturers like Volkswagen, Stellantis, and Renault, underscoring the anticipated demand surge in Europe for lithium-ion battery components.

  • Uzbekistan Partners with Tethys for Strategic Mining and Technology Development

    Uzbekistan Partners with Tethys for Strategic Mining and Technology Development

    Uzbekistan’s UzTMK signed a strategic agreement with Tethys Trans-Eurasian Gateway, aimed at enhancing the nation’s mining and industrial capabilities. The deal covers mining lifecycle improvements, focusing on critical raw materials such as tungsten, lithium, and rare earth elements, with sustainable methods and high-value production. Tethys committed $30 million to back these initiatives. Partnerships with Istanbul Technical University and MEXT will also provide technology and training for green and efficient mining practices.

  • EU Faces Challenges in Critical Raw Material Strategy Amid Global Race for Supply Chain Resilience

    EU Faces Challenges in Critical Raw Material Strategy Amid Global Race for Supply Chain Resilience

    While the Brussels Effect has driven strict regulatory standards for Critical and Strategic Raw Materials (CSRM), Europe may risk falling behind other global players in building a resilient supply base. An analysis by the French Institute of International Relations (Ifri), a Paris-based think tank, evaluates European de-risking policies in the context of international concerns over reliance on a few key suppliers, particularly China.

    China’s export controls on materials like germanium, gallium, and rare earths underscore the risk of critical dependencies as a geopolitical tool. In response, OECD countries are emphasizing national security, strategic autonomy, and the governance of CRM supplies. The EU and the United States have taken steps to diversify their supply chains. The EU’s Critical Raw Materials Act (CRMA), part of the Green Deal, emphasizes sustainability and autonomy, while the US focuses on national security through investments like the Development Finance Corporation (DFC). Japan began addressing CRM dependencies as early as 2010.

    To counterbalance China’s Belt and Road Initiative, the EU and US have increased CRM partnerships since 2021. However, Ifri’s analysis stresses the need for these partnerships to yield immediate, tangible results. Countries in the Middle East are also integrating into CRM value chains, while resource-rich developing nations seek to retain more local value through processing and manufacturing.

    Despite progress, the EU faces financial constraints and public opposition, threatening its strategic CRM goals. According to Ifri, without external financing, Europe risks lagging behind global players such as the US, Japan, and the Middle East in developing a secure CRM base. The race for lithium, nickel, and rare earth elements (REEs), crucial for green energy goals, is reshaping geopolitics and intensifying international competition.

    To meet its target of extracting 10% of annual CRM demand by 2030, the EU must expand its mining and refiningcapabilities. The bloc requires at least ten new mines, 15 processing plants, and 15 recycling facilities by 2030, according to EIT RawMaterials. Public opposition, however, remains a significant obstacle. Sustainable mining expert Peter Tom Jones calls for public education to support modern, eco-friendly mining practices that prioritize environmental, social, and governance (ESG) standards. Nordic countries are seen as a model, with Jones stressing the importance of local CRM mining to reduce reliance on less sustainable sources abroad.

    Jones envisions a future where mining is safe, climate-neutral, and engages local communities as stakeholders. He describes a modern mine worker as one who operates high-tech machinery remotely, symbolizing the shift toward automated, climate-conscious mining that reduces traditional environmental impacts.

  • A 150-Year-Old Lithium Discovery in Cornwall Could Revolutionize the Energy Industry

    A 150-Year-Old Lithium Discovery in Cornwall Could Revolutionize the Energy Industry

    A groundbreaking discovery made 150 years ago in Cornwall, UK, is making headlines again. Back in the 19th century, a large amount of dissolved lithium was found in a hot spring approximately 450 meters underground. At the time, this mineral had little to no value, and its potential was largely ignored. However, in today’s world, where lithium is more valuable than petrol, this discovery is proving to be a game-changer.

    The geothermal lithium deposit found in Cornwall is now recognized as one of the largest in the world. The underground hot springs contain an astonishing concentration of lithium, ranging from 8 to 10 times higher than that found in other hot springs currently being exploited. This mineral has become crucial in the energy transition, as it is a key component in the manufacturing of batteries for electric cars, mobile phones, and computers.

    Interest in this geothermal lithium deposit resurfaced in autumn 2020 due to its significance in the modern energy landscape. Unlike conventional lithium, which is extracted from brine deposits in dry lake beds or hard rock mines, geothermal lithium is found in a hot, saline brine that passes through heated rocks, absorbing various elements including potassium, boron, and lithium.

    Mining companies such as Cornish Lithium and Geothermal Engineering are at the forefront of exploring and exploiting this valuable resource. They plan to use cutting-edge techniques like Direct Lithium Extraction (DLE), a method developed by companies in Germany, the United States, and New Zealand. This process uses ion exchange resin or nanofiltration techniques to selectively extract lithium chloride from the brine, which is then treated to produce lithium hydroxide, a key material for battery production.

    This method of lithium extraction is not only more sustainable and environmentally friendly but also has a significantly lower carbon footprint compared to traditional methods. While conventional lithium extraction, primarily from Argentina, Chile, and Australia, remains cheaper, it comes with substantial environmental costs. For every tonne of lithium produced using conventional methods, more than 15 tonnes of greenhouse gases are emitted, vast amounts of water are permanently polluted, and large tracts of land are disturbed.

    In conclusion, the once-overlooked lithium deposit in Cornwall is now recognized as a mineral resource far more valuable than oil. Its extraction using sustainable methods could play a pivotal role in the global shift towards cleaner energy.

  • The U.S. Cobalt Mine Struggles Amidst Chinese Market Dominance

    The U.S. Cobalt Mine Struggles Amidst Chinese Market Dominance

    The only cobalt mine in the United States, located in northern Idaho, remains dormant as Chinese competitors flood global markets with cheap cobalt supplies. Jervois Global, which owns the mine, watched cobalt prices plummet last year after China’s CMOC Group opened the Kisanfu mine in the Democratic Republic of Congo, driving global production to an all-time high. The Idaho site, acquired by Jervois in 2019, was idled in June 2023, just weeks before its planned opening, resulting in over 250 job losses. A minimal crew now maintains the site’s equipment to prevent deterioration.

    Site manager Matthew Lengerich stated that the decision was purely economic, with cobalt prices needing to reach at least $20 per pound to justify reopening, while current prices hover around $12.17. Western mining companies like Jervois and Albemarle face significant challenges competing with Chinese companies, which benefit from lower costs, including the use of coal-generated electricity and child labor, practices not tolerated by many Western governments and manufacturers.

    The disparity has led to calls for a two-tier pricing system, which would impose a premium on metals produced sustainably. This system could change traditional metal trading practices and create varying definitions of “green metal.” Western mining leaders have sought government intervention, including tariffs or supply chain transparency requirements, to level the playing field. US and EU officials have shown some understanding but have been reluctant to intervene directly in market pricing.

    Automakers and other industry customers are increasingly concerned about securing diverse and sustainable metal supplies. By 2027, the European Union will require EV manufacturers to disclose the origin and carbon footprint of the metals they use, potentially driving demand for premium-priced, sustainably sourced metals. Some companies, like Northern Graphite and Teck Resources, are already capitalizing on this trend by selling sustainably sourced materials at a premium.

  • World Bank Report Highlights Critical Mineral Demand Surge for Net-Zero Goals

    World Bank Report Highlights Critical Mineral Demand Surge for Net-Zero Goals

    A recent report by the World Bank’s International Finance Corporation reveals that by 2050, the annual supply of nickelwill need to increase by 208% and copper by 156% compared to 2020 production levels to meet global net-zero emissions targets. Additionally, at least 15 other minerals and metals must be extracted at similar rates to achieve climate goals, a monumental task that some analysts doubt is feasible. Concerns about the sustainability of this increased extraction are also prevalent.

    UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres emphasized in April that the transition to net-zero emissions must not replicate the negative impacts of current extractive industries on marginalized communities. In line with these concerns, the EU’s Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence Directive, effective from 2029, mandates European companies to demonstrate their environmental and human rights efforts across supply chains.

    In July, EU companies BASF and Eramet withdrew from the $2.6 billion Sonic Bay nickel-and-cobalt refinery project in Indonesia. The decision followed criticisms regarding the project’s environmental impact, particularly its threat to the forest home of an Indigenous tribe. This withdrawal highlights the tension between the need for critical minerals and sustainable practices.

    The EU’s Critical Raw Materials Act, adopted in April, lists 34 critical and 17 strategic minerals essential for the green transition, facilitating easier sourcing through deals with “friendly third countries.” However, the environmental toll of nickel mining, especially in Indonesia, remains a pressing issue, with deforestation and water pollution linked to the practice.

    Frederick Kliem, a research fellow at the S. Rajaratnam School of International Studies, noted that while the EU firms avoid unsustainable mining practices, companies from countries like China are more willing to engage in environmentally damaging activities. This paradox is evident in the EU’s Green Deal, which relies heavily on third-party industries willing to subsidize and sustain environmental damage.

    Outgoing Indonesian President Joko Widodo aims to position Indonesia as a global hub for electric vehicle (EV) battery production by boosting nickel mining capacity. Since a 2014 ban on exporting unprocessed nickel, China has invested over $30 billion in Indonesia’s nickel supply chain, underscoring the strategic importance of this resource in the global energy transition.

  • Serbia Initiates Development of Mineral Resource Management Strategy for 2025-2040

    Serbia Initiates Development of Mineral Resource Management Strategy for 2025-2040

    Serbia has commenced the formulation of a comprehensive Strategy spanning from 2025 to 2040 aimed at managing the nation’s mineral and geological resources. Dubravka Djedovic Handanovic, the Minister of Energy, led the inaugural meeting in Belgrade, engaging with representatives from the Geology faculty to kickstart this pivotal initiative, as reported by the “Beta” press agency. Minister Djedovic Handanovic emphasized the necessity for the forthcoming document to conduct a thorough analysis of the current state of all mineral resources, outlining a trajectory from present circumstances towards future aspirations. The objective is to propose measures that enhance control and management of mineral development, ensuring maximal economic benefits while minimizing environmental damage.

    According to the minister, the Strategy is slated for completion “in the next nine months,” signifying a commitment to expedited progress in this critical area. Djedovic Handanovic highlighted Serbia’s historical reliance on mining for development, noting the absence of a coherent contemporary strategy in this domain. To address this gap, the drafting process will engage 50 professors and collaborators from the Faculty of Geology, tasked with integrating global best practices and cutting-edge technological solutions to foster sustainable mining practices.

    Minister Djedovic Handanovic stressed the importance of empowering professionals throughout this process, emphasizing their expertise and pivotal role in shaping the Strategy’s outcomes.

  • Shagarshinskoye iron ore deposit to be developed in Aktobe region

    Shagarshinskoye iron ore deposit to be developed in Aktobe region

    Qazaqstan Mining Company plans to start mining iron ore at the Shagarshinskoye deposit, located in the Aitekebi district of the Aktobe region of the Republic of Kazakhstan. The company published the project on the Unified Ecological Portal of Kazakhstan.

    The subsoil user carried out exploration work at the site in 2019–2021. The reserves of Shagarshinsky were put on the state balance sheet in February 2023. The project documentation of the company states that 1,642 thousand tons of iron ore (742 thousand tons of iron with an average metal content in the ore of 45.2%) were classified as probable reserves, 118 thousand tons of ore (52 thousand tons iron with an average metal content of 44.07%).

    Qazaqstan Mining Company has calculated a mining plan for 2024-2031. The quarry area at the end of mining will be 7.79 hectares, depth – 77 m, bottom horizon – +180 m. The manufacturer is going to process raw materials at his own crushing and screening complex.

    In the first two years of operation of the enterprise, it is planned to build an evaporation pond on the site for the accumulation of quarry waters and their technological maintenance.