Critical Minerals
Gallium, germanium in automotive electronics: Study maps Europe’s critical-mineral recycling edge
As electronics occupy a larger share of the backbone of automotive industry, Europe’s reliance on imported critical minerals is drawing greater attention. A recent bachelor’s thesis from Chalmers University of Technology in Gothenburg has explored the recycling potential of two strategic materials, viz., gallium and germanium, within automotive electronics, particularly in Electronic Control Units (ECUs), which control functions ranging from powertrain systems and safety technologies to battery management in electric vehicles. Although recycling rates for both metals remain negligible today, the study suggests that industrial waste streams, semiconductor scrap and future end-of-life electronics could become important secondary sources if recovery infrastructure develops in time. To learn...
Solcoa raises $75m to scale US rare earth metal production ahead of defence deadline
The financing will support a Nevada plant designed to produce 500 tonnes of rare earth metals annually, as US defence sourcing restrictions are set to expand from January 2027. Solcoa Industries has secured USD 75 million to expand rare earth metal production in the United States, targeting a supply-chain bottleneck that is becoming increasingly important for defence manufacturers. The company said the funding will support construction and commissioning of its Solcoa One plant in Nevada, which is planned to begin operating in July 2027 with annual capacity of 500 tonnes. The financing includes USD 45 million in equity led by Bain Capital Ventures, with participation from Gigascale Capital, Long Journey, Felicis, Dylan Field and other investors from the defence and technology sectors. A...
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International Critical Minerals Expo & Summit IV
Mining & Critical Minerals India Conference and Exhibition
Indonesia Critical Minerals Conference & Expo 2026
International Critical Minerals Expo & Summit IV
Mining & Critical Minerals India Conference and Exhibition
Indonesia Critical Minerals Conference & Expo 2026
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A report that reveals where the aluminium casting industry is heading and how businesses can act.
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A report that reveals where the aluminium casting industry is heading and how businesses can act.
LEARN MOREGermany’s aluminium FRP consumption reaches 1.68 Mt as 2025 trade surplus tops $3.1 billion
AL Circle Analysis: Europe’s aluminium scrap curbs, India’s risk and US’s supply opportunity
German downstream aluminium exports fall 13% in H1 2026 but US enters top 5 with 228.1% import surge
Caustic soda plant setup in India: How aluminium growth is reshaping demand, costs and opportunities
News
15-tonne anorthosite push meets Greenland security pact as AnorTech advances sustainable alumina
Greenland’s newly signed security agreement is bringing fresh attention to the island’s critical-minerals potential — and AnorTech is positioning its sustainable alumina project to benefit from the stronger investment environment. AnorTech has welcomed the Greenland Security Agreement signed by Greenland, Denmark and the United States at the United Nations General Assembly on September 22, saying the framework could strengthen the environment for critical-mineral development and secure supply chains. For AnorTech, the development comes as it advances its Gronne Bjerg anorthosite project and works towards commercialising a portfolio that includes zero-waste smelter-grade alumina (SGA) and high-purity alumina (HPA). The company said the agreement strengthens regional defence cooperation,...
Guinea seeks US financing for CBG alumina refinery as bauxite processing push accelerates
Guinea is looking to bring US financing into its growing push to process more bauxite into alumina at home, with its Mines Ministry holding discussions in the United States over possible support for an alumina refinery planned by Compagnie des Bauxites de Guinée (CBG). The discussions involve the US International Development Finance Corporation (DFC) and Exim Bank, adding a potential US financing component to Guinea’s efforts to expand domestic alumina refining capacity. Chinese capital has so far played a major role in supporting the country’s move towards local bauxite processing. CBG refinery plans take shape as Guinea seeks US funding The talks took place on Friday, September 18, on the sidelines of an international critical minerals conference. Christopher Kulukundis, acting US...
Saudi Arabia identifies 114m tonnes of rare-earth and uranium-bearing ore in Madinah
Saudi Arabia has identified approximately 114 million tonnes of ore containing high concentrations of rare earth elements and promising uranium concentrations in the Madinah Region, adding another significant resource to the Kingdom’s expanding minerals portfolio. Prince Abdulaziz bin Salman bin Abdulaziz, Saudi Arabia’s minister of energy and minister of industry and mineral resources, announced the discovery during the 70th General Conference of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) in Vienna. The resources were identified through exploration and geological studies at the Jabal Sayid project, with particularly high concentrations of heavy rare earth elements reported. Prince Abdulaziz said the findings place the project among the significant rare earth resource sites currently...
Vedanta's ₹210b metals push targets India's EV and critical minerals demand
Vedanta is expanding aluminium, copper and other metals capacity as electric mobility and India's demand for critical minerals reshape the domestic materials market. Vedanta Group is putting INR 210 billion (USD 2.21 billion) into metals production and capacity through FY2026, building a broader materials portfolio aimed at sectors such as electric vehicles, batteries and charging infrastructure. The investment spans aluminium, zinc, copper, steel, nickel, ferrochrome and value-added alloys, while the group has also secured 10 critical mineral blocks covering commodities including copper, nickel-chromium-PGE, tungsten, graphite, vanadium, rare earth elements and potash. The expansion comes as India seeks to reduce its reliance on overseas supplies of critical minerals. Vedanta estimates...
Odisha eyes UAE funding for aluminium, critical minerals and port projects
Odisha has brought forward its investment roadshow in the United Arab Emirates as competition among Indian states for overseas capital intensifies. The programme was initially planned for December, but growing investor outreach by other states prompted the government to advance the visit, according to officials from the state industries department. The three-day roadshow will take place in Abu Dhabi and Dubai from September 9 to 11, led by Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi. It follows Madhya Pradesh’s UAE investment programme, scheduled for September 6 to 8. Additional Chief Secretary for Industries Hemant Sharma said the state could not afford to delay its international outreach while competing regions were already approaching overseas investors. Odisha will use the visit to...
SACA bets on secondary aluminium to close US supply gap faster and at lower cost
The Secondary Aluminum Coalition for America (SACA) is pushing secondary aluminium to the centre of US supply-chain strategy, arguing that recycling-based production can expand domestic aluminium capacity faster and more efficiently than new primary smelters. In this AL Circle interview, SACA outlines its policy priorities, scrap-retention challenges, defence applications and vision for a more resilient US aluminium supply base. The Secondary Aluminum Coalition for America (SACA) represents companies across the US secondary aluminium supply chain, from scrap collectors and traders to remelt facilities, extruders, and fabricators. Its members operate in 17 states and account for the majority of US aluminium industry employment. SACA advocates for policies that strengthen domestic aluminium...
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