Indonesia relies on coal for most of its electricity, but in November 2022, the country welcomed the Just Energy Transition Partnership (JETP), aiming to raise the share of renewables in the country grid to 34% by 2030. Introduced a year later, the Comprehensive Investment and Policy Plan (CIPP) is the roadmap to achieve the JETP’s […]
> In the third quarter of 2025, 18 of the largest 25 copper miners reported quarter-on-quarter decreases in their output, including the top four miners. The total Q3 copper production reported by the top 25 miners hit 3.72Mt. “In the third quarter, many companies saw lower production compared to the previous quarter. However, most did not […]
> The US Department of Homeland Security has designated copper and lithium imports from China for “high‑priority” enforcement under the Uyghur Forced Labor Prevention Act (UFLPA), due to alleged human‑rights abuses in the Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region. The enforcement plan sets sector‑specific requirements for traceability, documentation, and verification to prevent goods linked to forced labour in […]
> US President Trump and Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese have signed a landmark Critical Minerals Framework to bolster both nations’ access to rare earths and other critical minerals, in an effort to counter China’s dominance over strategically important supply chains. The framework indicates that the two governments will utilise a range of policy instruments to […]
> Benchmark has tracked over $50 billion of energy transition funding, throughout 2025 in its Energy Transition Capital database, with the largest share allocated to the battery supply chain. The role of debt, grants, and equity Debt The EV, battery, and battery materials markets have matured rapidly over the past few years. As a result, debt is playing an increasingly […]
> Escalating unrest in Mali, as jihadi groups target fuel convoys around the capital Bamako, has led several governments including France and the US to advise their citizens to leave the country. The attacks have created fuel shortages, and raised serious concerns around the military government’s ability to maintain its rule in the country. Mali is […]
> Deforestation is a critical issue in Indonesia’s rapidly expanding nickel mining sector. This nickel is primarily derived from laterite ore layers located near the earth’s surface. The extraction process typically involves the excavation of superficial open-pit mines to access the ore, resulting in the clearance of large areas of land. Through its engagement with various […]
> The Trump administration is stepping up direct investments in critical mineral projects to bolster US supply security, as part of a broader push by Washington to acquire equity in sectors considered vital to national security. Last week, the US Department of Energy (DoE) announced it would restructure a $2.3bn loan agreement with Lithium Americas, providing […]
> Indonesia’s Forestry Task Force last week seized ~148 hectares of land occupied by PT Weda Bay Nickel in Halmahera, North Maluku, citing a lack of relevant permits. The move marks the first high-profile enforcement in the nickel sector since President Prabowo Subianto vowed to step up action against illegal mining in August. Officials said the […]