Benchmark analysis shows that notably 65% of next year’s refined nickel supply, a quarter of natural graphite supply and over 70% of ex-China battery supply is forecast to come from countries with elections in 2024–the biggest year in the history of elections. The incumbent political parties of both the US and the European Union (EU) […]
> Donald Trump has regained control of the White House after beating Kamala Harris in the US election this week. Republicans have secured a majority in the Senate and are currently winning the race for the House of Representatives. Having a majority in both houses strengthens Trump’s ability to repeal more legislation, including parts of President […]
> G7 nations and the European Union (EU) are reportedly examining a proposal to introduce price floors for rare earth elements, as they seek measures to reduce strategic vulnerabilities and break China’s dominance over the supply chain. China has built a monopoly on global rare earth production and accounts for 91% of global refined rare earth […]
> Benchmark Mineral Intelligence, specialising in battery supply chain research and insights, reports that 12.7GWh of new operational capacity entered operation in October 2025. Operational Capacity The grid-scale BESS market saw 12.7GWh of new capacity enter operations globally in October 2025, a y-o-y increase of 29%. China led new operational capacity with just under 8.8GWh of […]
> Benchmark Week 2025 kicked off in LA on Tuesday, with policy makers, industry leaders, and experts from Benchmark discussing the key topics impacting energy transition supply chains in 2025. From across the first day’s sessions three key takeaways emerged: 1. Supply chains are a national security priority now more than ever “These are not just […]
> 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 […]
> 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 […]
> In a year of heightened copper supply disruptions, the November 2023 closure of Cobre Panama has been the biggest by far. Now, the market is now watching to see whether the election of right-leaning Jose Raul Mulino as Panama’s new president could bring the asset back online. “If Mulino is indeed eyeing a restart, his […]