New Chinese export restrictions on rare earths underline the need for a more flexible EU policy
On August 15, 2024, China's Ministry of Commerce announced that export controls on antimony would come into effect from September 15. This is the latest in a series of export restrictions by China, which dominates the world's rare earth mining and processing. Antimony is used in the production of flame retardants, lead-acid batteries and as an alloy for […]
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The current uranium supply situation: A comprehensive overview
The current situation of uranium supply: A comprehensive overview Uranium is an essential element for global energy production, especially for nuclear power, which currently covers about 10% of the world's electricity needs. With the growing interest in clean energy and the reduction of CO2 emissions, nuclear energy is playing an increasingly important role. The supply of uranium is therefore […]
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Tantalum mining and brutal conflict in eastern Congo go hand in hand
Tantalum mining and brutal conflict in eastern Congo go hand in hand For over three decades, a conflict has raged in Central Africa that has rarely made the front pages since the genocide in Rwanda in 1994. The situation in the Democratic Republic of Congo has been very tense for several months. UN observers fear that the region is on the brink of a regional war. […]
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Rare earths: EU relies on uneconomical mines
Rare earths: EU relies on uneconomic mines In its rush to become independent of China for critical raw materials, the EU agreed on a raw materials regulation in record time. Securing the sought-after materials should be achieved through raw material partnerships with third countries, more circular economy and the own extraction of critical raw materials within the EU. Domestic mining should therefore [...]
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Scandium: From Soviet Secrets to China's Monopoly
Scandium: From Soviet secret to Chinese monopoly Because of the potentially high demand for climate technologies such as the hydrogen industry, the West is trying to produce its own production of the expensive rare earth metal. The aerospace and automotive industries could benefit from a safe and cheap supply of scandium. A week ago the second trilogue meeting on Critical Raw Materials took place in Brussels […]
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Export controls on gallium and germanium: “China wants to negotiate”
Export controls on gallium and germanium: “China wants to negotiate” The export controls imposed by China on the high-tech elements gallium and germanium in the summer sent the economy into panic. According to a China expert, China only wants to gain room for negotiation in the technology war with this step. Just 430 tons of gallium and around 225 tons of germanium were produced worldwide in 2022. Nonetheless […]
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Rare earths: China is firmly in the saddle, despite the Pentagon investing millions
Rare earths: China is firmly in the saddle, despite millions in investments by the Pentagon China is closely guarding its dominant position in rare earths and the production of permanent magnets, which are relevant for climate technologies and the military. An Asia expert warns that China is exerting influence on western industry, which hardly exists, through hidden ties. Mike Pompeo traveled […]
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ISE Newsletter April 2023
ISE Newsletter April 2023 ISE Newsletter Scroll down for information in English Content: E-car batteries: Nickel from Indonesia instead of Russia Summary: E-car batteries: Nickel from Indonesia instead of Russia Scroll down for information in English E-car batteries: Nickel from Indonesia instead of Russia The demand for nickel for cathodes will multiply by 2030. So far the […]
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E-car batteries: Nickel from Indonesia instead of Russia
E-car batteries: Nickel from Indonesia instead of Russia The demand for nickel for cathodes will multiply by 2030. So far, the emerging EU battery industry has been dependent on Russian nickel. Because of the war in Ukraine, nickel from Indonesia is very popular. There, however, mining threatens primeval forests and isolated indigenous peoples. Joko Widodo's popularity limited […]
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Auto industry biggest driver for cobalt mining
The automotive industry is the biggest driver of cobalt mining The continuing miserable mining conditions in the Democratic Republic of the Congo are casting a shadow over the otherwise clean image of electromobility. Even if there are now alternatives, cobalt will remain indispensable for electric cars in the medium term. Despite price volatility and sometimes inhumane working conditions, global mining increased to 2021 tons in 175.000, according to The Cobalt Institute. Corresponding […]
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