The European Investment Bank has approved a 150 million euro ($164 million) loan to Talga Group’s graphite mine and anode plant in Sweden, as the European Union looks to reduce reliance on China for the battery material. The board approved the loan to the Vittangi Anode project this month, which aims to produce 19,500 tonnes […]
> 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 […]
> Benchmark Mineral Intelligence will continue publication of its existing Synthetic Graphite Anode High Energy and Natural Graphite Anode High Energy price assessments, reversing the previously announced specification change which took effect on 15 October 2025. In compliance with IOSCO principles, this followed Benchmark’s public consultation on the proposed change on 8 September 2025. Following additional […]
> Chinese flake graphite producers are facing low margins and are reducing utilisation rates as prices of the battery material fell in August after flattening out at low levels in recent months. Flake graphite has been under pressure due to a combination of sluggish downstream demand and an increased preference for synthetic graphite as some anode […]
> Automakers are looking to reduce the carbon intensity of the battery materials they use for their electric vehicles, yet graphite presents a key problem for the industry. Synthetic graphite anode production can be over four times more carbon intensive than natural graphite anode production, due to its use of energy and fossil fuels as a […]
> Benchmark hosted its inaugural Giga Africa event in Marrakesh, Morocco in September, featuring delegates from across the battery supply chain. Over the many conversations and discussions held about Africa’s place in the global battery supply chain, several key themes emerged: Explore these topics in the words of Giga Africa’s expert speakers and panellists.
> 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 […]
> South Korean steel and chemicals giant POSCO has taken a 30% stake in Australia’s Mineral Resources’ (MinRes) 50% stakes in the Mt Marion and Wodgina mines for US$765 million. Structured as a joint venture, the deal would see MinRes and POSCO hold an overall 35% and 15% of the operations, as well as corresponding rights […]
> China has postponed the implementation of its expanded rare earth export controls announced in early October following high-level US-China trade negotiations in South Korea this week. It marks a temporary easing in what had become an escalating front in the tit-for-tat US–China trade confrontation. The announcement follows extensive economic and trade consultations in Kuala Lumpur, […]