Coal India Named Preferred Bidder for Ontillu-Chandragiri Rare Earth Block
India’s ambitions to diversify beyond fossil fuels are accelerating as Coal India Ltd. (CIL), the world’s largest coal producer, has been designated the preferred bidder for the Ontillu-Chandragiri rare earth elements (REE) block. This move marks a significant strategic pivot for a company synonymous with thermal coal, reflecting the growing urgency to secure supplies of […]
EcoPro Completes First-Phase Investment in Indonesia Energy Metals Smelters to Secure Supply
Nickel, a cornerstone of the clean energy transition, is once again in the spotlight as South Korea’s EcoPro finalizes the first phase of its investment in Indonesia’s nickel smelting industry. The move comes amid tightening competition among global battery-materials players to secure stable and cost-effective upstream supply chains. With battery demand for electric vehicles (EVs) […]
Funds Increasingly Bet Nickel Has Hit Bottom Despite Oversupply
Investment funds are taking a bold stance on nickel, ramping up bullish positions even as global oversupply weighs heavily on prices. According to Reuters, London Metal Exchange (LME) inventories recently surged to record highs, fueled primarily by Indonesia’s rapid output growth. Yet many funds now see nickel nearing a price floor, suggesting a rebound could […]
DRC Replaces Cobalt Export Ban with Quota System Beginning October 16, 2025
Global markets are on edge as the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), which supplies over 70% of the world’s cobalt, prepares to overhaul its export system. On October 16, 2025, the country will end its controversial cobalt export ban and introduce quotas that cap outbound shipments well below historical levels. With cobalt being indispensable for […]
U.S. Defense Stockpile Moves to Secure Scandium Oxide from Rio Tinto
Global supply chains are once again in the spotlight as the United States takes decisive steps to fortify access to critical minerals. The U.S. Defense Logistics Agency (DLA) has confirmed plans to purchase up to US$40 million worth of scandium oxide from Rio Tinto over the next five years, a move designed to strengthen the […]
