Benchmark Mineral Intelligence

📰 In the news this week ➡️ Click through for a summary of this week's news highlights for #criticalmineral, battery and #EV industries, published on Benchmark Source. 🔹 Low lithium prices spark mergers and closures in 2024 🔹 Novonix to receive $754 million US DoE conditional loan 🔹 Nickel supply surplus overshadows demand growth in 2024 🔹 Mercosur trade pact promises to boost EU critical mineral supply chains Benchmark Source subscribers stay at the forefront of breaking supply chain news through a wealth of articles, videos, data visualisations and industry analysis powered by Benchmark's proprietary data. Request a free trial today ➡️ https://lnkd.in/eSG5_vuh

This year has seen the world’s largest energy #mining companies increasingly eyeing the #criticalminerals space. What impacts their decision-making process when selecting a raw material producer to invest in? Benchmark's new Special Issue dissects the recent surge in dealmaking with major energy corporations targeting critical minerals. Request a free copy of - The Quest for Growth: Critical Minerals and the Majors ➡️ https://lnkd.in/eSHrx3h8

💡 Benchmark Source Power Players: U.S. Department of Energy (DOE)'s Ashley Zumwalt-Forbes It was a pleasure for Benchmark to sit down with Ashley Zumwalt-Forbes, Deputy Director for Batteries & Critical Materials at the U.S. Department of Energy, for this episode of Power Players. In an interview with Benchmark's Andrew Miller, Zumwalt-Forbes discussed the DOE’s role in supporting the #battery supply chain, how the US can compete with China, and why she’s bullish on US #lithium. Watch the full video ➡️ https://lnkd.in/g9MvE53a

🌍 Giga Europe 2025 - Last day to access Super Early Bird saving Benchmark's #GigaEurope conference is coming to Brussels on 18-19 March 2025, to bring together industry, government and finance and chart a course for the region's #criticalmineral, battery, #EV and ESS sectors. This event platforms expert analysis on the depth and breadth of energy transition supply chains, along with crucial networking and dealmaking opportunities. Explore the agenda and secure your ticket today to save £500 ➡️ https://lnkd.in/eB3AGpgk ⌛ Reduced rate expires Friday 20th December

The US Department of Energy has offered a conditional loan of $754.8 million to NOVONIX to partially fund the construction of a synthetic #graphite plant, as the country continues to derisk its battery supply chain from China. The new plant, to be located in Chattanooga, Tennessee, is expected to produce approximately 31,500 tonnes per year of synthetic graphite, reaching full production capacity by the end of 2028. “The loan is a testament to the growing need to develop ex-China graphite supply. This highlights the commitment of the US government towards onshoring of battery components to support its domestic industry.” - Shruti Kashyap, Benchmark Product Director. Read more on Benchmark Source ⬇️ https://lnkd.in/eK3jZf79 Not subscribed? Request a free trial ➡️ https://lnkd.in/eSG5_vuh

💡 Volvo Group's Céline Domecq is speaking at #GigaEurope 2025 As Volvo Group's Director of Government Affairs and Head of Volvo Cars' EU Office, Céline will bring a crucial perspective to the event - the role of the #automotive industry in Europe’s energy transition. 🌍 Join us at Giga Europe on 18-19 March 2025 in Brussels, Belgium. Learn more and register before Friday 20th December to take advantage of our Super Early Bird saving ➡️ https://lnkd.in/eB3AGpgk

Will we see another end-of-year #copper price rally? 🔎 Historical data offers intriguing clues. ➡️ Click across to see historical copper price performance trends, drawing from Benchmark's Copper Weekly. Over the past two decades (2004-2023), LME copper prices climbed in the last five trading days of the year, 75% of the time. Yet, there’s a twist: on the final trading day, copper prices have fallen for nine consecutive years. As 2024 draws to a close, will copper prices follow historical trends or forge a new path? Benchmark's first 2025 edition of Copper Weekly will provide the answer and additional market context. 📩 Sign up to stay up-to-date with copper prices, market dynamics, policy developments and more: https://lnkd.in/dVrEnPpu

📣 Giga Europe 2025 Speaker Announcement: Wouter Ghyoot Wouter Ghyoot is Vice President of Government Affairs at Umicore, where he leads the company's global government engagement efforts. Ghyoot's expertise will be lent to the session exploring battery passports, #recycling and creating a circular #energystorage ecosystem. Join us at #GigaEurope 2025 on 18-19 March at Autoworld, Brussels for expert analysis on the depth and breadth of energy transition supply chains, along with crucial networking and dealmaking. Reduced Super Early Bird ticket rate expires this Friday ➡️ https://lnkd.in/eB3AGpgk

Benchmark Policy Webinar | January 16th, 15:00 (GMT) Trump 2.0: US Election Policy Implications for the EV Supply Chain Coverage will include: ⛏️ Trump's ambitions to significantly speed up project timelines 💲 Potential implementation of tariffs of up to 20%  ♻️ Impacts of the 'America First' agenda on US battery #recycling 🔎 The future of the US Inflation Reduction Act And more - register with your business email address ➡️ https://lnkd.in/ehpJQmqG

📉 Benchmark #cobalt hydroxide (CIF Asia) prices fall to a historic low of $13,007/tonne in early December 2024. Ballooning supply in the DRC has led to an overabundance of cobalt hydroxide, forcing sellers to continue to drop prices to incentivise purchasing. The most recent cobalt hydroxide price is 47% lower than the 5 year average price, highlighting just how significant the feedstock oversupply is in the cobalt market. Expectations for the price environment in 2025 remain bearish, as oversupply is expected to persist. Market participants have reported that a preliminary price floor of $5.50/tonne may be set for next year amid ongoing price negotiations.