Are Critical Mineral Supplies Threatening the Progress of Renewable Projects?
⛏️ Are Critical Mineral Supplies Threatening the Progress of Renewable Projects?
According to a report by insurance provider WTW, the progress of renewable energy projects is being hindered by downstream supply chain risks and the increasing costs of critical minerals. The demand for these minerals is expected to surge by up to 500%, while challenges such as human rights abuses, lack of infrastructure, and skilled labor shortages further complicate the supply chain. Rising commodity prices, material shortages, and longer lead times are making renewable energy projects less economically viable in the short term.
Indian authorities are embarking on the final phase of the rescue mission to save 41 construction workers trapped in a collapsed mountain tunnel for over two weeks.
Dozens of men trapped inside a collapsed Himalayan tunnel for ten days have been seen in the first images captured by a camera fed through a pipe by rescuers.
Rescue efforts continued to reach 40 men trapped inside a collapsed highway tunnel in India's northern state of Uttarakhand for the fifth day.
Rescuers are intensively searching for a man trapped beneath the debris of a collapsed coal processing building in rural Kentucky, with hopes of finding him alive, despite one worker being declared dead in the incident.
Tragedy strikes as at least one worker has died and another remains trapped in the collapsed coal preparation plant in Eastern Kentucky.
Workers at a South African mine were held underground for three days in what the police are investigating as a hostage situation.
The growing importance of critical minerals for green energy, defense systems, and high-tech applications, coupled with supply chain vulnerabilities, is driving increased attention to diversify and secure these supply chains.
The Pentagon plans to issue its first contract to U.S. or Canadian companies by the end of 2023 to recover gallium, a crucial mineral used in semiconductors and military radar systems after China restricted its exports.
According to a recent study published in the journal Nature of Ocean Sustainability, deep-sea mining operations pose a significant threat to the $5.5 billion tuna industry.
A report released by the Business and Human Rights Resource Center sheds light on numerous labor and environmental abuses allegedly committed by Chinese-invested companies involved in mining and processing minerals used in renewable energy.
The International Seabed Authority (ISA), responsible for regulating the ocean floor, is set to resume negotiations on deep-sea mining permits.
The lithium industry is set to undergo a significant transformation with the introduction of direct lithium extraction (DLE) technologies, which could revolutionize the supply of lithium from brine projects.
Appian Capital Advisory has successfully sold the Santa Rita nickel mine and Serrote copper-gold project in Brazil for a total of $1.065 billion.
Opposition to lithium mining in Nevada's desert comes not only from environmentalists and tribal leaders but also from an unexpected source: space.
Japan is aiming to strengthen its position in the electric vehicle (EV) space through a critical minerals trade deal with the United States.
Latin America and the Caribbean, particularly Argentina, Bolivia, and Chile, are experiencing a shift in their economies as lithium, a crucial element for renewable energy and electric vehicles, gains prominence.
The Biden administration's clean energy infrastructure projects, aimed at promoting clean energy and reducing emissions, face challenges related to the lack of domestic production of critical minerals and reliance on China for supply chains.
According to McKinsey & Co., the demand for lithium, a crucial component for electric vehicle batteries, is expected to increase significantly in the coming years, from 500,000 metric tons in 2021 to three million to four million metric tons within the next decade.
According to a report by insurance provider WTW, the progress of renewable energy projects is being hindered by downstream supply chain risks and the increasing costs of critical minerals.
Native Americans and progressive activists are protesting a pro-mining bill proposed by Senator Catherine Cortez Masto.
Apple has recently declared that by 2025, they will use 100% recycled cobalt in their batteries, as well as all their magnets to be made with recycled earth elements.
Companies interested in mining the ocean floor can now submit applications to the International Seabed Authority starting in July, following approval of the controversial practice despite significant pushback.
Cobalt mining in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) is a complex and challenging issue.
A U.S. judge has asked a federal agency to revisit part of its approval of the plans to create a Lithium Americas mine in Nevada, near the Oregon border.
While China still controls nearly 60% of the world‘s rare earth mining operations, the United States is looking to close the gap over the next decade.
There is a global battle over precious metals such as lithium, cobalt, nickel, and copper because they are critical components used in the manufacturing of batteries for electric vehicles, renewable energy systems, and electronic devices.
China currently dominates the rare earth and mineral production market, controlling the lion’s share of 60% globally.
Countries around the world are scrambling to mine critical rare earth minerals because they are essential components in the production of a wide range of clean energy technologies, including wind turbines, solar panels, and electric vehicles.
General Motors is investing a whopping $650M into Canada-based Lithium Americas and creating a partnership to develop the Thacker Pass mine in Nevada.
The U.S. is making solid progress towards establishing a domestic supply chain for rare earth elements by 2027, crucial for defense needs.