mining trade

Reports the EPA Record of Decision for Albemarle's Kings Mountain project in Gaston County, North Carolina, clearing the federal NEPA environmental review and unblocking the project's federal permitting pathway. Kings Mountain holds an estimated 300,000 tonnes of lithium carbonate equivalent in a historical spodumene mining district last active in the 1980s. State and local permits remain outstanding.

“The Kings Mountain EPA ROD clears the federal NEPA hurdle for North Carolina's first spodumene mine since the 1980s, holding an estimated 300,000 tonnes LCE.”

Reports the practical market impact of the Rusal quota cut: the reduction from 275,000t to 50,000t removes 225,000t/year of low-tariff Russian aluminium from the EU market; European aluminium premiums (Midwest equivalent, European duty-paid) rose $60-80/t in February 2026; Rusal's total EU exports under the old quota averaged 200,000-220,000t annually.

“EU's Rusal quota cut removes 225,000t of low-tariff Russian aluminium, pushing European premiums up $60-80/t.”

Reports the landmark settlement: Antofagasta, Chile's second-largest copper producer, agreed $0/t treatment charge and $0.00¢/lb refining charge with a leading Chinese smelter for 2026, down from $21.25/t and 2.125¢/lb in 2025, the lowest annual benchmark ever recorded.

“Antofagasta agrees zero copper processing charges for 2026 with Chinese smelter, the lowest benchmark ever agreed.”

Site-visit report on Project Lonestar in Hooks, Texas: the TexAmericas Center location provides rail and road access to Smackover brine aquifer processing; EnergyX CEO Teague Egan describes the facility as the first commercial-operating DLE plant on US soil, capable of recovering over 90% of lithium from brine versus 30-40% via conventional solar evaporation.

“Project Lonestar is the first commercial-operating direct lithium extraction plant on US soil, recovering over 90% of lithium from brine.”

Reports that graphite export licences approved through October 2025 remained valid, but no new approvals were issued after November 1, 2025, creating a rolling suspension that sources described as likely to extend to at least November 2026; Chinese companies applying for licences received no response; notes China controls 65% of global mined graphite and 97% of spherical graphite (the anode-grade product).

“China's graphite export licence freeze may extend to November 2026, covering 97% of global spherical graphite supply.”

Reports that the International Nickel Study Group projected a 2026 deficit of 32,000t reversing a 2025 surplus of 283,000t, driven by Indonesia's supply-volume cut; notes the LME nickel price rallied 37% from late December 2025 to April 2026, reaching $17,635/t.

“Nickel market could turn to deficit amid Indonesia quota, with the INSG projecting a 32,000-tonne shortfall.”

Reports the Atomic Energy Licensing Board (AELB) renewal of Lynas's Malaysia operating licence for 10 years to March 2036, with strict conditions requiring elimination of radioactive waste (Water Leach Purification residue) production by 2031; also reports that the Malaysian Department of Environment blocked Lynas's planned expansion from 95,000t to 110,000t lanthanide concentrate processing per year at the Pahang refinery.

“Lynas's Malaysian licence extended to 2036, but only if the company eliminates radioactive waste by 2031 and after regulators blocked its planned capacity expansion.”

Reports the ex-China premium emerging: rare earth prices were surging outside China, as export volumes collapsed, but domestic Chinese prices were more stable, reflecting the separation between a controlled domestic market and a disrupted export market.

“Rare earth prices surge outside of China as export controls fragment the market.”

Reports that Nornickel is in active talks to form a joint venture with Xiamen C&D to process approximately 2 million tonnes per year of copper concentrate from Nornickel's Zapolyarny division at a facility in China, targeted for mid-2027 commissioning. The JV is synchronized with phasing out Nornickel's existing copper smelter in Russia, a significant capacity restructuring.

“Nornickel is negotiating a China JV with Xiamen C&D to process 2 million tonnes per year of copper concentrate, accelerating its pivot to Asian markets as Western access contracts.”

Reports tin market deficit tightening through 2026 as Man Maw restart remains uncertain and Indonesia's formalisation enforcement persists; Indonesia raised official quota to 60,000t for 2026 from 53,000t in 2025 but the crackdown on illegal production more than offsets the official increase.

“Tin market deficit is tightening as Myanmar and Indonesia supply constraints persist simultaneously.”

Reports Julong Phase 2 commissioning in Qingdao Autonomous Prefecture, Tibet, targeting 200,000-plus tonnes of copper per year at full throughput from 2027. Julong is the world's largest undeveloped porphyry copper-gold deposit in the Gangdese Belt, located above 5,000 metres elevation. Phase 1 produced approximately 80,000 tonnes in 2025; Phase 2 more than doubles nameplate capacity through additional processing infrastructure and expanded block caving.

“Julong Phase 2, commissioned January 2026 above 5,000 metres in Tibet's Gangdese Belt, targets 200,000-plus tpa copper and makes Zijin a top-five global copper producer.”