US offers aluminium tariff relief

By Chloe Coutinho

Tuesday, 21 July 2026

InternationalNews

The US has announced an incentive program that could halve tariffs on aluminium imports for companies building, expanding or refurbishing domestic smelters.

The MOU supports Metallium’s plan to develop a national network of e-waste processing facilities, strategically located near major e-waste collection hubs, rapidly expanding U.S. data centre industrial parks and regional industrial corridors with strong logistics and waste generation.

Lynas’ new Malaysian challenge

DevelopmentsInternationalNews

Lynas’ new Malaysian challenge

LYNAS Corporation (ASX: LYC) is facing a new wave of judicial proceedings in Malaysia over its subsidiary, Lynas Malaysia’s rare earths processing facility. In a statement released to the ASX after the market had closed on Friday, the company said that three long-term opponents of the plant launched the judicial review proceedings in the Malaysian High Court, and would contest the August 2019 decision to renew Lynas’ full operating licence at the processing plant near Kuantan, Pahang, on the country’s east coast. The company said that the grounds set out in the documents “relate to the processes followed by the Government of Malaysia”. The respondents included the Prime Minister of Malaysia, 27 ministers and cabinet members, the Government of Malaysia,...

Aiming high for low costs

InternationalNews

Aiming high for low costs

PIEDMONT Lithium could become the world’s lowest-cost lithium producer and an independent spodumene converter providing a US-based source of lithium for the rapidly growing global EV market. The company recently announced results of a pre-feasibility study (PFS) for its proposed lithium hydroxide chemical plant and an updated scoping study for its mine and integrated project in North Carolina to service electric vehicle (EV) production in the US Auto Alley. With operations wholly based in the US, Piedmont would provide local and European auto plants with a more secure supply chain of high-quality LiOH. Currently China accounts for 80% of the world’s LiOH production and nearly 100% of spodumene conversion. The results showed that the two project options (“Merchant” where Piedmont...

Gold price shines

InternationalNews

Gold price shines

Gold price shines THE price of gold on international spot markets has risen above US$1600/oz, marking its highest level since March 2013, on gathering concerns about weakening economic conditions in China. Gold was trading at US$1601/oz at 11.30 am Western Standard Time, Wednesday, according to gold analysis website Kitco. Investor sentiment around gold turned bullish in early 2020, with the price of gold taking off from its US$1480/oz launchpad at Christmastime 2019. Iconic technology company Apple issued a business revenue warning during the US stock market’s Tuesday trading session. In a quarterly update to investors, the technology company said concerns around the Covid-19 virus outbreak in China is affecting business conditions there. “Work is starting to resume around the country...

Funding boost for critical minerals

CommoditiesInternationalNews

Funding boost for critical minerals

THE Federal Government has announced new financing measures for the rare earths and critical minerals sector – particularly those strategically important for defence end-use. Projects which boost our ability to extract and process critical minerals in Australia will be eligible for financial support through Export Finance Australia (EFA), including the Defence Export Facility. Projects will also have access dual funding through the EFA and the Northern Australia Infrastructure Facility (NAIF), as well as a dedicated project facilitation office within the Department of Industry. Resources and Northern Australia Minister Matt Canavan said the financing options would secure the future of rare earth and critical mineral projects and would allow Australian companies to maximise access to existing government support to expedite new...

(Image source: MinRes) RDG entered voluntary administration in July.

MinRes acquires struggling miner linked to Chris Ellison’s brother

MinRes acquires struggling miner linked to Chris Ellison’s brother Mineral Resources (ASX: MIN) has executed a binding asset and share sale agreement with the administrators of Resource Development Group (RDG). Under the agreement, MinRes will acquire RDG assets, including the Lucky Bay garnet mine, following creditor approval of MinRes’ proposed deed of company arrangement (DOCA) on September 1. MinRes has reassured investors that managing director Chris Ellison was not involved in deliberations to acquire the group formerly headed by his brother, Andrew Ellison. MinRes chair Malcolm Bundey comments on the decision. “The board and I sought to ensure that MinRes shareholders could realise some value from their...

(Image source: MinRes) Despite the roadworks, the project shipped a record 3.2mt of ore in August 2025.

MinRes upgrades Onslow Iron haul road

MinRes upgrades Onslow Iron haul road Mineral Resources (ASX: MIN) has safely completed the upgrades to the Onslow Iron private haul road, allowing unconstrained haulage to resume at normal speeds. Roadworks included seal binder upgrades and cement stabilisation to enhance pavement strength and moisture resistance, as well as asphalting along the entire length of the sealed road. The width of the upgraded private haul road spans 11 sealed metres from edge to edge, two metres wider than typical public roads used for heavy haulage in the Pilbara region. Mineral Resources managing director Chris Ellison comments on the upgrades. “Onslow...

Liontown will continue optimisation studies for both the mine and the processing plant as part of its review of the 4mtpa expansion case.

Liontown secures $379m for Kathleen Valley ramp-up

Liontown secures $379m for Kathleen Valley ramp-up Liontown Resources (ASX: LTR) has secured funding from LG Energy Solution to boost current lithium mining and explore the feasibility of establishing a lithium refinery in WA. The agreement includes a five-year $379m (US$250m) convertible note, increasing total cash balance to about $501m to fund the Kathleen Valley, WA, ramp-up to 3mtpa steady state production. Funding will progress early enabling works in the underground mine to preserve the 4mtpa expansion option on a 2027 timeframe and to support 3mtpa production. The existing offtake agreement has also...

(Image source: UNSW) Food waste costs the Australian economy around $36.6b each year and accounts for about 3% of our annual greenhouse gas emissions, according to UNSW.

Next-gen batteries using food-based acids hit sustainability sweet spot

Next-gen batteries using food-based acids hit sustainability sweet spot A novel battery component that uses food-based acids found in sherbet and winemaking could make lithium-ion batteries more efficient, affordable and sustainable, according to new research out of UNSW. A prototype, developed and patented by UNSW chemists, reduces environmental impacts across its materials and processing inputs while increasing energy storage capability. UNSW Science lead researcher Professor Neeraj Sharma says the research team is optimising a single-layer pouch cell, similar to what you’d use in a mobile phone, only smaller. “We’ve...