Stainless Steel World’s Post

“China accounts for around two-thirds of the world's processing/refining capacity for critical minerals. While the extraction of these materials takes place all around the globe, China currently accounts for more than half of the world's refining of aluminum, lithium and cobalt, around 90 percent of that of rare earth metals and manganese and 100 percent of that of natural graphite. “In addition, more than a third of the world's copper and nickel processing is carried out in China. “While China is in the lead for critical minerals production, the nation is losing its dominance. For example, the United States and Australia have increased their production of rare earths from 2010 onwards and most recently, Myanmar and Thailand have started to mine far more than before.” Graphic data source (United Nations Conference on Trade and Development): LINK: https://lnkd.in/dZ_a_89q See also: “Critical minerals: a realistic assessment,” HE Haitham Al Ghais, OPEC Secretary General, 7/1/2024: “In the mentioned IEA scenario, by 2040, copper demand rises by 50%, rare earths demand almost doubles, cobalt demand more than doubles, and nickel demand is close to tripling. These are nowhere near the largest increases either. Graphite demand grows almost four times, and lithium sees a nearly ninefold expansion by 2040, underlining its crucial role in batteries.” LINK (OPEC): https://lnkd.in/gUTreYGG #minerals #mining #lithium #cobalt #rareearth #copper #manganese #battery #batterytech #BESS #EV #electricvehicles #powergrid #electricgrid #renewables #renewableenergy #renewablepower #nationalsecurity #graphite https://lnkd.in/gK_bPjWJ

The surplus in the global nickel market is expected to narrow to 109,000 metric tons in 2024 from 163,000 tons in 2023, the International Nickel Study Group (INSG) said on Wednesday. Global nickel output is expected to rise to 3.55 million tons in 2024 from 3.36 million tons in 2023 as production of different types of nickel products in Indonesia continues to increase, the INSG said. https://lnkd.in/exDzXjb7

Tirupati Graphite Plc has noted a recent report by Benchmark Mineral Intelligence (BMI) on global graphite producers which highlights the strength of its position in this market. BMI notes that China currently dominates today's supply chain, but supply being developed globally is expected to shift this balance. By 2030 more production will have come on stream outside of China including in North America, Africa and Australia. Importantly for Tirupati, said the company statement, Africa is set to become a key producer of natural flake graphite with the continent forecast to produce an estimated 38% of the world's mined supply by 2030.   The top three producing nations by 2030 in the world are expected to be China, Mozambique, and Madagascar - overlapping significantly with Tirupati's footprint in Mozambique and Madagascar.  More at #Proactive #ProactiveInvestors #tirupatigraphite #mining #graphite http://ow.ly/xVR7105l33j

DIVERSIFYING GRAPHITE PRODUCTION: A RESPONSE TO GLOBAL EXPORT CONTROLS AND TRADE TENSIONS Early in 2024, the global landscape of graphite production encountered an unexpected turn, with China's export of flake graphite nosediving by 77.66% compared to the same timeframe in 2023. The repercussions of this sudden drop instigated urgency within the international community, especially the United States, pushing them to consider alternatives and diversify their sources. These events led to seeking stability and security in the global supply chains of this critical mineral. Although graphite might not feature in the list of rare minerals, the availability of superior quality, large-flake graphite used in battery applications is a mounting concern. As of 2021, major graphite producers were China, Mozambique, Brazil, and Madagascar. The heavy dependence on China for this resource has triggered exploration efforts elsewhere, particularly in Canada. Recognizing an opportunity to diversify, Canadian firms like Lomiko Metals Inc., Northern Graphite Corporation, and Focus Graphite Inc. have shown an upsurge in their graphite projects. Lomiko Metals, for instance, is advancing the La Loutre graphite project in Quebec, fueled by significant grants from the United States and Canada. Similarly, Northern Graphite received support from Quebec’s Ministère des Ressources Naturelles et des Forêts (MRNF), which provided funds for drilling operations at their Lac des Iles site while Focus Graphite, registered some progress at the Lac Knife graphite project in Quebec, receiving a grant from Quebec’s Ministry of Energy and Natural Resources for developing a geo-metallurgical model of their graphitic corridor. As well, PyroGenesis Canada Inc. stands out with its capabilities in engineering, manufacturing, and research, diversifying Canada's graphite production portfolio. With a Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of 95% projected between 2023 and 2027, the Canadian graphite mining sector holds much promise. Improved production of graphite will cater to the growing demand for lithium-ion batteries and usage in the steel industry, painting a glowing future for this carbon allotrope. The global use of graphite was roughly 3.8 million tonnes in 2022, up from 3.6 million tonnes the previous year. Over the next 5-10 years, this consumption trend is poised to carry on its upward trajectory given the mineral's widespread applications and ever-increasing demand in diverse sectors. While graphite production is undergoing significant adjustments due to global trade constraints, these changes and adaptations are also unveiling new opportunities for producers around the world, with Canada exemplifying significant potential.

Unstoppable Global Expansion Soaring Consumption of Important Minerals: Transition into green energy is pushing some very much in-demand minerals such as lithium, nickel, cobalt, and rare earth elements. Countries around the world are on a fierce hunt for these strategic minerals for electric cars and alternative energy sources. India's Position in the Scrap Metal Market: The output of the steel and iron ore production is considerably increasing which makes this country one of the central key players in many chain systems. The country is also making steady and unprecedented progress in various mining and metallurgy which helps position it as a notable player in the global metals market. Good Mining Practices: To cater for the increasing demand, there is a trend for companies to come up with more sustainable methods of mining so as to minimize environmental degradation. Such innovations coupled with emerging regulations are responsible for greener methods of extraction. Global Commitments: Countries and corporations are busy allocating resources so as to investigate or develop new mineral reserves which is very active in the investment environment globally. Such investment is encouraging development and improvement of the industry. 🔋 The next big energy Storage Breakthrough: It is fair to say that, the metals and minerals industry is t he leading unit in the energy storage breakthrough with development in battery technology increasing demand for high quality metals. #GlobalGrowth #GreenEnergy #EconomicTrends #BusinessInsights

Great to see mainstream news coverage on the need for mining countries to add value to minerals for the energy transition, but also the challenges in doing so, and positive movements we're seeing for example here in South Africa. As with other minerals critical for the energy transition, the higher-value manganese sulphate needed for Lithium-Ion Batteries is largely processed in China, and global demand is often driven by their conventional uses - in the case of manganese, in steel production - with the proportion of manganese supply going to batteries still relatively small. However, Bloomberg estimates that battery demand for manganese will increase nine-fold, giving rise to new opportunities, as local processing presents many benefits particularly in lower emissions, transport costs, and greater local ownership.

Losing its shine...✨ China’s stimulus might have led to a metal rally, but two critical minerals, cobalt and lithium, continue to plummet - and yeah, we can blame China for that! Some quick stats on cobalt: ➡ DRC (Democratic Republic of Congo) is the biggest producer, making up ~66% of the world’s cobalt supply. Indonesia follows at ~10%. ➡ However, when it comes to refining, China leads the way, handling ~75% of global refining. Javier Blas highlights some really interesting points! Here's what's happening: ➡ Cobalt prices have dropped ~75% from their 2022-2023 highs. Chinese miners have flooded the market with supply! ➡ Consumption is strong - yes, but supply has also moved at breakneck speeds. Non-Chinese miners are struggling as cobalt prices are now at around 20-year lows. Chinese company CMOC Group has been cranking out cobalt like crazy. Five years ago, they were producing just 15kt, but this year, they've skyrocketed past 100kt, overtaking Glencore to become the top player globally. To put this in perspective, the IEA's 2024 Global Critical Minerals Outlook had predicted that output from CMOC’s Tenke Fungurume mine would reach ~30kt by 2027 and the Kisanfu copper-cobalt mine would contribute ~30kt by 2026. CMOC blew right past those estimates! Global cobalt output is around 230kt, creating a significant oversupply that could take anywhere from 18 months to 5 years to clear. Now, you’d think - WHY DON'T WE STOP PRODUCTION? Unfortunately, that's not how it works for cobalt. Cobalt’s a byproduct of copper and nickel mining and with those prices holding strong, miners aren’t stopping anytime soon. ~98% of world cobalt output is a byproduct. Only solution is for demand to catch up fast, but EV sales outside of China have been underwhelming. What made things worse was that when cobalt prices were sky-high, R&D was spent to reduce cobalt usage in batteries. On the other hand, Indonesia’s cobalt production surged 86% to ~17kt in 2023, making it the 2nd largest producer globally thanks to its growing nickel-cobalt processing facilities, which jumped from 10 to nearly 60 plants between 2023 and 2024. The cobalt story is complex - between oversupply, evolving battery technology and shifting demand dynamics, it’s a market to watch closely. Lithium’s in a similar boat - Prices have crashed ~85% from recent peaks of 2023 ➡ Miners continue to dig while China gets great at recycling batteries. ➡ New Chinese-owned mines in Zimbabwe, are expected to add ~15% to global supply by 2028, keeping the market oversupplied. China’s stranglehold on the critical minerals market will raise concerns about potential future supply disruptions. The recent FED rate cuts and stimulus package in China should alleviate EV sales concerns. However, it seems that oversupply will overshadow the narrative going forward! Src: #bloomberg, IEA #china #commodities #markets

Japanese battery industry is targeting cleaner nickel, cobalt and copper from Tanzania's Kabanga Nickel project, managed by Tembo Nickel. This comes after Lifezone Metals Limited signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Japan Organization for Metals and Energy Security (JOGMEC). This strategic partnership aims to support JOGMEC's efforts to secure cleaner metals from the Kabanga Nickel Project for the Japanese battery industry. Kabanga is one of the world's largest and highest-grade undeveloped nickel sulfide deposits with byproduct copper and cobalt. Tanzania's rich deposits of battery metals present significant opportunities for the country to become a key supplier in the global battery supply chain. With the right investment and infrastructure development, Tanzania could play a vital role in the transition to a more sustainable and electrified future. As the demand for battery metals continues to rise, the country is well-positioned to leverage its natural resources effectively. The Tanzanian government has been actively promoting investment in mining and mineral processing. New policies and regulations aim to attract foreign investment in battery metal projects.

China is the world's largest importer of minerals, a position driven by its immense industrial and technological needs. The country is highly dependent on raw materials such as lithium, copper, iron ore, and other critical minerals to fuel its economic growth, energy transition, and leadership in manufacturing. Given Latin America's abundant natural resources, it comes as no surprise that China has become a key partner for the region. Countries like Chile, Peru, and Brazil are major exporters of these minerals, essential for industries such as electric vehicles and renewable energy technologies. China's **Belt and Road Initiative** has further deepened its ties with Latin America, providing much-needed investments in infrastructure and development projects in exchange for a steady supply of raw materials. As global demand for critical minerals intensifies, China's strategic partnerships with Latin American nations underscore the geopolitical importance of the region in the evolving global economy. For example, copper is one of the most important minerals imported by China from Latin America, especially from countries like Chile and Peru, which are the top global exporters. In 2021, China imported around 55% of Chile's total copper exports. Another vital mineral is **lithium**, which is critical for the production of batteries in electric vehicles. China has made significant investments in Argentina’s lithium triangle, where companies like Tianqi Lithium and Ganfeng Lithium have invested heavily to secure access to this strategic resource. Additionally, Chinese companies have also secured major stakes in the iron ore sector, particularly in **Brazil**, through companies such as **China's Baowu Steel Group** and **China Metallurgical Group Corporation (MCC)**. These companies are involved in large-scale projects like the acquisition of **Vale's** iron ore operations, further consolidating China's influence in Latin America's mining sector. This growing partnership between Latin America and China underscores the strategic importance of minerals from Chapter 26HS in China’s industrial and technological expansion.

MANGANESE SULFATE MONO-HYDRATE: CHINA'S DOMINANCE AND POTENTIAL ALTERNATIVES The overwhelming control over the world's supply of High-Purity Manganese Sulfate Mono-hydrate (HPMSM) by China is making waves in global manufacturing and economic platforms. By 2023, China produced an imposing 93% of HPMSM worldwide, thereby occupying a robust 96% of the non-recycled supply chain. These overwhelming statistics point to opportunities and challenges for global manufacturing sectors and economies. Manganese has both a critical and complex role in many industries. Although the steel manufacturing sector is its principal consumer, its usage in battery production also holds importance. Manganese's role may undergo an evolutionary shift with the advent of new battery chemistries; the emerging Nickel-Manganese-Cobalt (NMC) batteries, laced with promise of higher energy density and lowered costs, may potentially heighten manganese's significance in EV batteries. Countries in North America, Europe, Japan, and Korea, already fully reliant on China for their HPMSM and other manganese needs, are becoming acutely aware of supply chain vulnerabilities.  This dependency is expected to rise further with the projected boom in demand for electric vehicles (EVs) and lithium-ion batteries, which will place mounting stress on the HPMSM market. Benchmark's analysis suggests that the HPMSM market could be undersupplied by more than 750,000 tonnes by 2030 if LMFP (Lithium Manganese Iron Phosphate) batteries increase their penetration rates Notably, while China keeps its reign over HPMSM production, manganese mining operations are burgeoning outside its territories too.  Canada's Woodstock Project, for instance, boasts one of North America's largest and highest-grade carbonate manganese deposits. Although still in its developmental phase, it represents a potential alternative for reducing reliance on China's HPMSM. Advancements in mining exploration, infrastructure development, and processing facilities can light up possibilities for Canada to accrue more traction in the global manganese market.  The upward thrust in critical mineral needs such as manganese underpins the opportunity for increased Canadian production and exports. As manganese's role in EV batteries grows increasingly crucial, the necessity of alternative supply chains underscores the pressing need for international cooperation and increased investments in processing facilities especially in North America. Canada's significant manganese deposits, particularly the Woodstock Project in New Brunswick offer a promising opportunity to reshape the global manganese landscape. As demand for manganese surges, particularly in the electric vehicle and battery sectors, Canada's domestic production could help reduce reliance on foreign sources and mitigate supply chain risks. For information purposes only. For mining news and charts visit:: www.minestockers.com