electric vehicles

In recent memory and even today, nickel has predominately been used to drive the rapid modernisation of developing economies, most notably China and India.

Coal is forecast to almost completely disappear from Australia’s electricity system by 2050 if governments do not attempt to keep plants online with subsidies, according to the latest economic analysis from BloombergNEF (BNEF) New Energy Outlook 2019.

The rise of Australia’s battery metals sector over the last few years — particularly in Western Australia — is proving indicative of a wealth of potential that is yet to be fully tapped.

Rio Tinto has released details of encouraging intercepts at the Winu copper-gold project in the Paterson province, Western Australia.

Chilean lithium major Sociedad Química y Minera de Chile (SQM) has reported decreased sales in its March quarter but remains positive about the future of the lithium industry.

Nearly a third of participants involved in the current round of an ongoing state-backed commodity exploration scheme in Western Australia are focusing on battery metal discoveries.

Wesfarmers’ hunt for access to metals needed for electric vehicles (EVs) has accelerated with a $776 million takeover offer for Australian lithium company, Kidman Resources.

Utilising innovative technology to fast-track both the exploration and exploitation of mining sites is the key to success in the modern age, according to Independence Group (IGO) managing director and CEO, Peter Bradford.

High graphite prices are encouraging development of new projects outside of China, according to market consultant Roskill.

BHP is trialling zero-emissions vehicles at the Olympic Dam operation in South Australia in an attempt to reduce exposure to particulate matter.

Galaxy Resources has continued to perform positively at its global operations in Australia, Argentina and Canada to finish with zero debt.

Sandvik has acquired privately-owned Artisan Vehicle Systems, a United States-based manufacturer of battery-powered underground mining equipment.

Alliance has revised its lithium offtake agreement following the transfer of offtake rights to Chinese joint venture Jiangxi Bao Jiang Lithium Industrial (JBJLIL).

Battery Minerals’ second major graphite operation Balama Central in Mozambique boasts a mine life of 27 years and will cost just $US69.4 million to develop, its feasibility study has shown.

Artisan is setting its sights on Australia following North American success with its line of electric-powered underground vehicles. Ewen Hosie reports.

Rio Tinto is engaging the company’s team of global experts to develop a new chemical procedure to process a mineral known only to occur at Jadar in Serbia.

Pure Minerals’ newly-acquired Queensland Pacific Metals has obtained the permission to use Direct Nickel Projects’s nickel and cobalt processing method via a framework agreement.

Western Areas has approved the Odysseus nickel project at its Cosmos operations in Western Australia after delivering a positive definitive feasibility study (DFS).

Lepidico has commenced development work for the L-Max pilot plant in Perth, with metallurgical consultancy Strategic Metallurgy at its helm.

The equation looks simple; the supply of graphite is tightening, while the demand is currently forecast to skyrocket. Tom Revy discusses the market environment in the graphite industry.