Nickel Prices Slip on Rumored Indonesia Quota Hike Despite Official Denial

Benchmark nickel prices took a tumble this week on news that top producer Indonesia is preparing to significantly raise its annual mining quotas to 360 million metric tons. The country’s Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources reportedly notified several mining companies that mid-year revisions will raise the total volume of mining quotas, known as RKABs, from the 260 million metric tons authorized …

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New money from Ontario for critical minerals supply chain

The province says it’s spending $740,000 to support the development of the critical minerals supply chain with funds being directed to two Nipissing businesses. Nipissing MPP Vic Fedeli said June 25 that the funding comes from the critical minerals innovation fund, which is used by the provincial government to support innovation and unlock new opportunities for economic growth. A $500 …

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EU pitches Brazil a ‘more beneficial’ rare earths deal than US or China

European Union is offering Brazil a “more beneficial” partnership on critical minerals than the United States or China, the bloc’s international partnerships commissioner said on Thursday, promising investment in domestic refining and technology as Brussels works to cut its dependence on Chinese supply chains. European Commissioner for International Partnerships Jozef Sikela made the case during a week-long visit to Brazil that included a stop on …

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Canada, Japan consider critical minerals joint stockpiling in hunt for China alternatives

Canada and Japan are working on a range of mining projects, including potential joint stockpiling, Canada‘s Trade Minister told Reuters, as Japan moves to diversify supplies of critical minerals and reduce dependence on China. Ottawa and Tokyo are in talks on options for cooperation including joint mining projects, offtake agreements and stockpiling arrangements for minerals such as graphite and gallium, International Trade Minister Maninder Sidhu said in an interview. “We’re offering Japan that avenue to do more with Canada in terms …

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UK Government commits £50m to critical minerals industry

The government has announced a £50 million investment package aimed at strengthening the UK’s supply of critical minerals. The funding is designed to bolster domestic production, reduce reliance on imported materials and support the development of more resilient supply chains for minerals used in products ranging from smartphones and white goods to electric vehicles. Ministers say the package will help …

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Central Bankers Plan to Keep Stacking Gold

Central bank gold reserves have increased by an average of 1,000 tonnes per year over the last four years. That’s double the 500-tonne average during the previous decade, and the trend doesn’t appear to be slowing down. According to the World Gold Council’s 2026 Central Bank Gold Reserves Survey, a record 45 percent of the 76 respondents indicated they expected …

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Critical minerals: The next energy battle in West Asia

For decades, oil and natural gas defined power in the Middle East. Control over hydrocarbon resources shaped alliances, triggered conflicts and influenced the global economy. Today, however, a quieter but equally significant competition is emerging beneath the surface. The next strategic battle in West Asia may not be fought over oil fields or gas pipelines, but over the critical minerals …

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Domestic and international aluminium prices under pressure overall

The most-traded SHFE aluminium 2608 contract closed at RMB 23,425 per tonne, down 1.47 per cent. Prices traded below the MA5 (23,816.00), MA10 (23,952.00), MA30 (24,322.33), and MA60 (24,563.33) moving averages. The short- to medium-term moving averages were in a bearish alignment and pressing lower, with the overall structure notably in the doldrums and each of the moving averages above …

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The Clock Is Ticking: America’s Critical Minerals Moment

Twenty-nine years. That is the average time it takes to permit a mine in the United States. China controls roughly 60 percent of the world’s critical mineral processing capacity. And the materials at stake — lithium, cobalt, rare earths — are not optional inputs. They are the physical foundation of electric vehicles, MRI machines, defense systems, and the semiconductors powering …

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