The Metalnomist
Independent metals/mining analyst covering offtakes (tungsten), new bauxite projects, DRC copper/cobalt supply and geopolitics; links to detailed writeups.
Sherritt Halts Cuba Nickel-Cobalt Production, Threatening 2026 Supply
Sherritt will pause Moa nickel-cobalt mining in Cuba over fuel shortages, raising new 2026 supply concerns. https://www.metalnomist.com/2026/04/sherritt-moa-nickel-cobalt-pause-raises.html
Energy Innovation Shifts Toward Security, Competitiveness, Resilience
The IEA says energy innovation is now driven more by security, competitiveness, and supply-chain resilience. https://www.metalnomist.com/2026/04/energy-innovation-security-needs-are.html
Lundin Secures $4.5bn for Vicuña,
Lundin secured up to $4.5bn for Vicuña, strengthening its push toward top-tier copper production. https://www.metalnomist.com/2026/04/vicuna-copper-project-financing-moves.html
Materion Boosts Clad Strip Production on Defense, Semiconductor Demand
Materion is ramping up clad strip production in 1Q26 as defense and semiconductor demand supports broader growth. https://www.metalnomist.com/2026/04/materion-clad-strip-ramp-up-signals.html
Finland Invests €65M to Boost Europe's Raw Material Security
Finland invested €65mn in the Sokli phosphate and rare earth project to strengthen Europe’s raw materials security. https://www.metalnomist.com/2026/04/finland-sokli-phosphate-project-gains.html
Nornickel Boosts 2025 Earnings on PGM Gains, Asian Sales
Nornickel lifted 2025 earnings as stronger PGM prices and rising Asian sales offset nickel market weakness. https://www.metalnomist.com/2026/04/nornickel-2025-earnings-rise-as-pgm.html
Safran Stockpiles Rare Earths, Invests in Casting for Engine Growth
Safran is building rare earth stocks and investing in casting to protect engine production growth. https://www.metalnomist.com/2026/04/safran-rare-earth-stockpiling-adds.html
Hydro Q4 Earnings Drop Amid Weak Alumina Prices
Hydro’s 4Q 2025 earnings fell as weaker alumina prices and soft downstream markets offset strong aluminum metal results. https://www.metalnomist.com/2026/04/hydro-4q-2025-earnings-fall-as-alumina.html
Thyssenkrupp Q1 Net Loss Driven by Steel Restructuring
Thyssenkrupp posted a first-quarter net loss as Steel Europe restructuring costs and weak demand hit results. https://www.metalnomist.com/2026/04/thyssenkrupp-steel-restructuring.html
South32 Bets on Copper, Zinc Amid Post‑2028 Supply Gaps
South32 is focusing on copper and zinc projects as it sees major supply gaps emerging after 2028. https://www.metalnomist.com/2026/04/south32-copper-and-zinc-project.html
Idaho Antimony Plant Boosts U.S. Defense Supply Chain
USAC and Americas plan an Idaho antimony processing plant to strengthen North American supply and defense access. https://www.metalnomist.com/2026/04/us-antimony-processing-plant-in-idaho.html
EU Leaders, CEOs Demand ETS Reform, Clearer CBAM
EU leaders and CEOs push for ETS reform and stronger CBAM clarity to protect industrial competitiveness. https://www.metalnomist.com/2026/04/eu-ets-and-cbam-reform-moves-to-center.html
DRC Copper Climbs 10%, Cobalt Shipments Plunge
DRC copper output rose 10pc in 2025 as major mines expanded, while cobalt shipments plunged under export controls. https://www.metalnomist.com/2026/04/drc-copper-output-growth-accelerates-as.html
FE Mottram Expands Titanium Scrap Capacity in Estonia
FE Mottram is adding roasters, crushers, and backup furnace capacity to strengthen titanium scrap processing in Estonia. https://www.metalnomist.com/2026/04/fe-mottram-ferro-titanium-expansion.html
Eramet's Nickel Quota Slashed 70%, Threatening Indonesian Supply
Eramet’s Weda Bay Nickel received a 70pc lower 2026 quota, raising new concerns over Indonesian ore supply. https://www.metalnomist.com/2026/04/eramet-weda-bay-nickel-quota-cut-raises.html
Jindal Stainless Expands Specialty Steel, Cuts Imports via PLI
Jindal Stainless signed an MoU under India’s PLI scheme to expand specialty steel and reduce import dependence. https://www.metalnomist.com/2026/04/jindal-stainless-specialty-steel.html
Hanzhong Zinc Adds 30 T/Yr Indium, Bol
Hanzhong Zinc commissioned new 30 t/yr indium capacity, strengthening China’s by-product metals supply chain. https://www.metalnomist.com/2026/04/hanzhong-zinc-indium-capacity-expansion.html
Aluminum Peaks at Four-Year High Amid Geopolitical Tensions
Aluminum hit a new four-year high as Middle East tensions, higher oil prices, and supply fears lifted metals. https://www.metalnomist.com/2026/04/aluminum-four-year-high-signals-rising.html
Monte Muambe Rare Earth Project Secures USTDA Backing
Altona’s Monte Muambe rare earth project in Mozambique gained USTDA support, boosting development credibility. https://www.metalnomist.com/2026/04/monte-muambe-rare-earth-project-gains.html
Three Firms Launch Multi-Year Program for New PGM Applications
Johnson Matthey, Sibanye-Stillwater, and Valterra launched a multi-year programme to develop new PGM applications. https://www.metalnomist.com/2026/04/pgm-technology-partnership-targets-new.html
Lobito Corridor Accelerates Traceable DRC Copper, Cobalt Exports
EGC and Trafigura shipped copper and cobalt through the Lobito corridor, opening a faster export route for traceable DRC minerals. https://www.metalnomist.com/2026/04/lobito-corridor-copper-and-cobalt.html
Osaka Titanium Slashes Sales Forecast Amid Weak Demand
Osaka Titanium cut its sales forecast as aerospace inventory adjustment and weak industrial demand hurt titanium sponge sales. https://www.metalnomist.com/2026/04/osaka-titanium-sales-forecast-cut.html
Aperam Earnings Drop Amid Weak European Stainless Prices
Aperam earnings fell as weak European stainless prices offset stable shipments and cost savings. https://www.metalnomist.com/2026/04/aperam-stainless-steel-earnings-fall-as.html
US‑India Deal Set to Boost Energy, Metals, Tech Trade
The US-India trade deal could expand energy, metals, aircraft, and technology trade while reducing tariff pressure. https://www.metalnomist.com/2026/04/us-india-trade-deal-could-reshape.html
Stellantis Exits NextStar JV, Heralds New Battery Ownership Model
Stellantis will exit its NextStar battery JV stake, signaling a new ownership model for North American battery plants. https://www.metalnomist.com/2026/04/stellantis-nextstar-battery-jv-exit.html
Codelco, Quiborax Secure Ascotan Lithium, Boost State Strategy
Codelco and Quiborax moved to secure lithium rights at Ascotan, deepening Chile’s state-led lithium strategy. https://www.metalnomist.com/2026/04/codelco-lithium-ascotan-move-expands.html
Macquarie Ups Near‑Term Copper, Lithium Forecasts Amid Strong Financial Flows
Macquarie raised near-term copper and lithium forecasts as financial flows continue to outweigh soft physical signals. https://www.metalnomist.com/2026/04/macquarie-near-term-copper-outlook.html
Capstone Ends Strike, Boosts Output Amid Tight 2026 Copper Market
Capstone ended the Mantoverde strike and began ramping output as copper markets stay tight in 2026. https://www.metalnomist.com/2026/04/capstone-mantoverde-strike-ends-as.html
IMFA to Become India's Top Ferro‑chrome Producer
IMFA plans to raise ferro-chrome capacity to 534,000 t/yr, making it India’s largest producer. https://www.metalnomist.com/2026/04/imfa-ferro-chrome-expansion-will.html
MBMA Hits 2025 Nickel Ore Target, Boosting Indonesia's Downstream Chain
MBMA met its 2025 nickel ore target as stronger mining output supported Indonesia’s expanding downstream nickel chain. https://www.metalnomist.com/2026/04/merdeka-nickel-ore-production-hits.html
Renewables and Nuclear to Power Half of World by 2030
The IEA expects renewables and nuclear to provide half of global electricity by 2030 as power demand accelerates. https://www.metalnomist.com/2026/04/clean-power-growth-will-reshape-global.html
Anglo Cuts 2026 Copper Outlook Amid Lower Collahuasi Grades
Anglo cut 2026 copper guidance as lower ore grades at Collahuasi weaken Chilean production expectations. https://www.metalnomist.com/2026/04/anglo-2026-copper-guidance-falls-as.html
Brazil to Attract $21.3 Bn in Critical Minerals by 2030
Brazil critical minerals investment is projected to reach $21.3bn by 2030, led by copper, nickel, and rare earths. https://www.metalnomist.com/2026/04/brazil-critical-minerals-investment.html
Serra Verde Secures $565M US‑Backed Funding for Brazil Rare‑Earth Expansion
Serra Verde secured $565mn in US-backed finance to expand Brazil’s rare earth production and strengthen diversified supply. https://www.metalnomist.com/2026/04/serra-verde-rare-earth-financing.html
Macquarie Boosts 2026 Nickel Forecast Amid Tight Indonesian Supply
Macquarie raised its 2026 nickel forecast as Indonesia ore tightness and slower supply growth tighten market balance. https://www.metalnomist.com/2026/04/macquarie-nickel-price-outlook-turns.html
ANM Clears Sigma Lithium Waste, Legal Doubts Linger
Brazil’s ANM cleared Sigma Lithium’s waste piles, but legal uncertainty still hangs over the mine. https://www.metalnomist.com/2026/04/sigma-lithium-waste-piles-cleared-by.html
Machina Labs Secures $124M for AI‑Powered Aerospace Factory
Machina Labs raised $124mn to build an AI-driven factory for aluminum and titanium aerospace structures. https://www.metalnomist.com/2026/04/machina-labs-aerospace-factory-signals.html
Japan Secures First Deep‑Sea Rare‑Earth Mud Deposit
Japan recovered its first deep-sea rare earth mud near Minamitorishima, advancing supply chain diversification efforts. https://www.metalnomist.com/2026/04/japan-deep-sea-rare-earth-mining.html
Japan, Australia Forge Graphite Anode Supply Chain
Japan and Australia are building a graphite anode supply chain to strengthen battery materials security and reduce import dependence. https://www.metalnomist.com/2026/04/japan-australia-graphite-anode-supply.html
Supra Secures $2M to Recycle Gallium, Scandium for US Supply
Supra launched with $2mn to develop gallium and scandium waste recovery technology for US critical mineral supply. https://www.metalnomist.com/2026/04/gallium-and-scandium-waste-recovery.html
Kipushi Zinc to Boost US Critical Minerals Stockpile
Ivanhoe’s Kipushi zinc concentrate could support US critical minerals stockpiling through a proposed Mercuria and Gécamines deal. https://www.metalnomist.com/2026/04/kipushi-zinc-concentrate-could-link-drc.html
Kloeckner Acquires Camalloy to Broaden US Metal Distribution
Kloeckner acquired Camalloy to expand aluminum and stainless steel distribution across key US industrial markets. https://www.metalnomist.com/2026/04/kloeckner-camalloy-acquisition-expands.html
ATI Boosts Jet Engine Alloy Supply with New NC Furnace
ATI will add a new VIM furnace in North Carolina to expand nickel superalloy capacity for jet engine demand. https://www.metalnomist.com/2026/04/ati-nickel-superalloy-capacity.html
Orion's $40bn DRC Deal Could Redefine Western Copper Supply
Orion’s possible 40pc purchase of Glencore’s DRC mines could reshape western copper and cobalt access. https://www.metalnomist.com/2026/04/orion-glencore-drc-stake-sale-could.html
IEA Calls for Oil‑Style Security Framework for Critical Minerals
The IEA says critical mineral stockpiles need an oil-style security framework to reduce supply disruption risk. https://www.metalnomist.com/2026/04/critical-mineral-stockpiles-need-oil.html
Trafigura Secures Major London Victory, Pursues Large Damages
Trafigura won a major London court ruling in its fake nickel cargo fraud case and will seek substantial damages. https://www.metalnomist.com/2026/04/trafigura-nickel-fraud-ruling.html
Azur Space Boosts Solar Capacity 25% Amid AI‑Driven Satellite Surge
Azur Space plans a 25pc solar cell capacity increase in 2026 as satellite demand rises with AI growth. https://www.metalnomist.com/2026/04/azur-space-solar-cell-expansion-signals.html
Solarcycle Launches Georgia Plant to Boost Solar Panel Recycling
Solarcycle opened a Georgia recycling plant that could strengthen solar panel recovery and recycled solar glass production. https://www.metalnomist.com/2026/04/solarcycle-georgia-recycling-plant.html
US Supports 5N Plus Germanium Refinery Expansion in Utah
US backs 5N Plus to expand germanium refining in Utah and strengthen strategic domestic supply. https://www.metalnomist.com/2026/04/us-germanium-refining-expansion-gains.html
Implats Keeps 1H26 PGM Output Flat, Zimbabwe Offsets SA Decline
Implats held PGM output nearly flat in 1H26 as Zimbabwe growth offset weaker South African mine performance. https://www.metalnomist.com/2026/04/implats-pgm-output-holds-steady-as.html