In April 2025, Chile’s Mining Ministry accepted applications from companies for three new lithium flat projects in the country, as part of its National Lithium Strategy first launched in 2023. The projects will be operated through public-private joint ventures in which the Chilean government has a majority stake. The projects are to be licensed through […]
> 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 […]
> Lithium chemical prices spiked in China on Monday following a bullish speech by the chairman of Ganfeng – the world’s third-largest lithium producer – in which it was suggested that lithium demand growth could reach 30% in 2026. In a keynote speech on 16 November at the 10th International Summit on Power Battery Application in […]
> 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 […]
> The copper market recorded robust supply-side performance in Q2 25, with the top 25 mining companies reporting a combined output of 3,800kt, an increase of 3.5% y-o-y. Growth was driven by stronger quarterly performances from BHP (516.2kt, +2.2% y-o-y), Codelco (338kt, +18.6% y-o-y), and Zijin Mining (279.3kt, +9.1% y-o-y). BHP, Freeport, and Codelco retained market-leading […]
> India’s pipeline of cathode active material (CAM) production capacity is set to grow more than 50-fold over the next decade. Altmin, Himadri Speciality Chemical, and Epsilon Advanced Materials have the largest pipeline capacities in the country. Almost all CAM capacity under development in India is for LFP, both due to the popularity of the cathode […]
> Indonesia has issued a ban on the issuance of new smelter permits for nickel matte, mixed hydroxide precipitate (MHP), and nickel pig iron (NPI), in a bid to curb overcapacity and incentivise value‑added investment in the battery supply chain. The policy marks the latest chapter in the Indonesian government’s strategic pivot in its nickel industrialisation […]
> As the dust settles on LME Week in London, Benchmark reviews some of the key themes that shaped discussions throughout the week and gauges sentiment across metal markets heading towards year end. Across the board, discussions reflected metal markets navigating shifting trade policy, supply-side disruption, and uneven demand recovery. Copper: Arbitrage and disruption dominate discussion […]
> Lithium supply concerns are mounting in early August, following reports this week that Albemarle suspended operations in Chile after an acid tank explosion at a chemical plant in La Negra, in the Antofagasta region. Despite conflicting reports on the severity of the situation, Benchmark understands from sources close to the operation that the actual impact […]