Rapidus Semiconductor Project Gains New ¥150bn Government Investment

Rapidus

Rapidus semiconductor project funding has increased again as Japan commits another ¥150bn to support domestic advanced chip manufacturing. The new investment will help finance equipment for 2-nanometre semiconductor mass production and research into next-generation 1.4nm technology.

Rapidus semiconductor project support now includes ¥250bn in direct government investment following an earlier ¥100bn injection in fiscal year 2025-26. Japan is also planning substantial additional subsidies over the next two fiscal years.

Rapidus semiconductor project development is strategically important because Japan is trying to rebuild advanced logic chip manufacturing capacity after decades of declining domestic semiconductor production. The company aims to start mass production of 2nm chips in fiscal year 2027-28, followed by advanced packaging production in fiscal year 2028-29.

Japan Builds Domestic Leading-Edge Chip Capacity

The latest ¥150bn investment will support production equipment needed to move Rapidus from development toward commercial-scale semiconductor manufacturing. The company is targeting 2nm technology, placing the project in one of the most advanced segments of global chip production.

Rapidus is also conducting research into 1.4nm technology to prepare for the next generation of semiconductor manufacturing. Advanced chips are becoming increasingly important for artificial intelligence, data centres, automotive electronics, defence systems and high-performance computing.

This gives Rapidus strategic significance beyond the semiconductor industry itself. Domestic leading-edge chip capacity can reduce Japan’s exposure to concentrated overseas manufacturing and improve supply resilience for major industrial sectors.

Advanced packaging will also be important. As transistor scaling becomes more difficult, chip performance increasingly depends on how processors, memory and other semiconductor components are integrated.

Rapidus therefore needs to build capabilities across wafer fabrication, packaging and process technology rather than simply operate a conventional semiconductor plant.

Public Funding Must Unlock Large Private Investment

Government backing is substantial but will not finance the entire Rapidus programme. Japan plans to provide another ¥631.5bn in subsidies during fiscal year 2026-27 and around ¥300bn in fiscal year 2027-28.

Rapidus is also seeking roughly ¥1tn in private equity and more than ¥2tn in additional private financing. That funding requirement highlights the extraordinary capital intensity of advanced semiconductor manufacturing.

Leading-edge fabs require billions of dollars for lithography, deposition, etching, inspection and other highly specialised equipment. The investment also creates demand across advanced materials supply chains.

Semiconductor production relies on high-purity silicon, specialty gases, photoresists, copper, tungsten, cobalt, tantalum and other critical materials. Japan designated semiconductors as a critical material in 2022 and has since expanded support for domestic production.

Rapidus has become a central project in that strategy. The key challenge now is execution, including equipment installation, acceptable production yields, customer qualification and private-sector funding.

The Metalnomist Commentary

Rapidus shows that semiconductor security is becoming a capital-intensive industrial policy race. Japan’s challenge is not only funding a 2nm fab, but building the materials, equipment, packaging and customer ecosystem needed to sustain leading-edge production.

ETM Traxys Offtake Deal Targets Spanish Tin, Tantalum and Niobium Supply

Traxys, Energy Transition Metals 

ETM Traxys offtake deal gives the Penouta mine in Spain a potential route back into critical minerals markets. Australia-listed Energy Transition Metals has signed a non-binding agreement to supply Traxys with tin, tantalum and niobium concentrates from the project.

ETM Traxys offtake deal covers 100% of tantalum, niobium and tin offtake from Penouta. Traxys would also receive exclusive rights to market and sell the material to consumers.

ETM Traxys offtake deal is strategically important because tin, tantalum and niobium all sit inside sensitive electronics, aerospace, defence and advanced manufacturing supply chains. A European source of these concentrates could attract buyers seeking supply outside higher-risk regions.

The agreement runs for 12 months but can be converted into a binding six-year offtake once Penouta begins production. ETM is still finalising its acquisition of the mine’s rights and assets from Strategic Minerals Spain.

Penouta Could Rebuild European Critical Minerals Flow

Penouta has a meaningful production history. At its peak, the mine produced up to 60t/month of tin concentrates and 10t/month of tantalum concentrate.

Primary mining stopped in October 2023 after legal action from an environmental group. Tailings and waste processing continued until 2024.

This history matters because Penouta is not only an exploration concept. It has already produced commercially relevant concentrate streams, although any restart will depend on legal, environmental, operating and financing conditions.

Tin is essential for solder, electronics and industrial alloys. Tantalum is critical for capacitors, high-reliability electronics, data-centre chips and aerospace applications. Niobium supports high-strength steel, superalloys and advanced industrial materials.

A restart would therefore add more than mine volume. It would strengthen Europe’s access to strategic minor metals at a time when buyers are reassessing origin risk, traceability and supply-chain resilience.

Traxys’ involvement adds commercial weight. As a global trading house, it can connect concentrate output with qualified consumers, financing channels and strategic buyers.

Traxys Link Adds Strategic Reserve Relevance

Traxys is one of three trading companies selected to procure critical minerals for the US government’s $12bn Project Vault strategic reserve. That gives the Penouta agreement a broader geopolitical dimension.

The offtake does not automatically mean Penouta material will enter a strategic reserve. However, Traxys’ role shows how traders are becoming central to critical minerals security.

This model is increasingly important. Mining companies need offtake and market access, while governments and manufacturers need reliable material flows from politically acceptable sources.

Tin, tantalum and niobium markets have also been volatile this year. Tantalite prices reached record levels in March because of tight supply from central Africa and strong demand from capacitors and tantalum-bearing chips used in data centres.

Tin prices have also risen sharply, supported by investor interest and tighter market sentiment. The London Metal Exchange three-month tin contract has climbed strongly from a year earlier.

These price moves underline the value of diversified supply. Small-volume critical minerals can move quickly when supply is disrupted or when strategic buyers increase procurement.

For ETM, the Traxys agreement could improve Penouta’s commercial credibility. For Traxys, it provides early access to a European source of tin, tantalum and niobium concentrates.

The Metalnomist Commentary

The Penouta agreement shows how strategic traders are moving earlier into critical minerals offtake. If ETM can restart production, Spanish tin, tantalum and niobium could become more valuable as buyers seek traceable supply outside fragile regions.

Burundi Mining Suspension Raises 3T Conflict Minerals Supply Risk

Burundi mining

Burundi mining suspension measures have halted nearly all mining operations in the country, leaving only Sotrevo Mining and Sonalek Mining allowed to continue operating. The move creates new uncertainty for tantalum, tungsten and tin supply from one of Africa’s smaller but strategically important 3T mineral producers.

Burundi mining suspension measures require mining companies and co-operatives to apply for new operating permits before restarting. The government said operating approvals and the state’s share of production will be decided case by case.

Burundi mining suspension rules also introduce the threat of severe sanctions for companies that ignore the new requirements. This signals a stronger state push to control mineral production, permitting and revenue sharing.

The decision matters because Burundi supplies 3T concentrates at a time when buyers are already sensitive to conflict minerals risk, origin documentation and supply disruption across central and eastern Africa.

Permit Reset Raises Supply Risk for 3T Minerals

The suspension affects all mining sites except those operated by Sotrevo Mining and Sonalek Mining. Sotrevo produces tantalum, tungsten and tin, while Sonalek Mining also remains exempt from the suspension.

The ministry’s decision effectively resets the operating framework for much of Burundi’s mining sector. Producers that previously operated under existing arrangements must now seek new approval before they can resume work.

This creates immediate supply-chain uncertainty. Buyers may face delays in shipments, reduced availability and additional documentation requirements while companies wait for permit decisions.

Burundi produced 421t of 3T concentrates in 2024, according to industry supply-chain data referenced in the source material. That volume is not large compared with global mined supply, but it matters for buyers seeking diversified and traceable African material.

Tantalum is critical for capacitors used in electronics, aerospace, defence systems and medical devices. Tungsten supports hard metals, cutting tools, defence applications and industrial machinery. Tin is essential for solder, electronics assembly and coatings.

The suspension therefore affects more than local mining companies. It reaches downstream electronics, tooling, defence and manufacturing supply chains that depend on stable 3T material flows.

Conflict Mineral Markets Face New Compliance Pressure

Burundi has gained importance because conflict and instability in other major 3T-producing countries have increased demand for its material. Buyers looking to diversify regional supply have turned to Burundian concentrates as an alternative source.

The new suspension complicates that trend. Even if the government aims to strengthen oversight, the immediate effect is to reduce clarity for exporters, traders and downstream consumers.

The case-by-case permit process could also reshape the country’s mining structure. Companies with stronger compliance systems, clearer production records and better state relationships may be better positioned to restart.

For responsible sourcing programmes, the policy shift adds another layer of due diligence. Buyers will need to confirm not only mine origin and chain of custody, but also whether suppliers hold valid new operating permits.

The state’s share of production will also be decided individually. This could change project economics and create different cost structures across operators.

Burundi’s decision reflects a wider trend in critical minerals. Resource-holding governments increasingly want more control over production, exports and domestic value capture.

For 3T markets, the timing is sensitive. Supply chains already face scrutiny under conflict minerals rules, while manufacturers need stable feedstock for electronics, aerospace, defence and industrial applications.

If the suspension is resolved quickly, the market impact may stay limited. If permitting delays continue, Burundi’s role as a flexible alternative source of 3T concentrates could weaken.

The Metalnomist Commentary

Burundi’s mining suspension shows how even smaller suppliers can affect strategic mineral confidence. In 3T markets, regulatory clarity and traceability are now as important as mined volume itself.

DRC Mine Guard Plan Puts Critical Minerals Security at the Centre of Supply Chains

DRC, Inspectorate of Mines

DRC mine guard plans mark a major escalation in the country’s effort to secure critical minerals supply chains. The Democratic Republic of Congo’s General Inspectorate of Mines will develop a paramilitary unit to protect mine sites, ore transport routes, processors and border corridors.

The DRC mine guard will be created as part of a strategic partnership involving the US and UAE. The project is expected to cost up to $100mn and will use existing training facilities.

The DRC mine guard could deploy up to 20,000 troops over the next two years. Recruitment is expected to begin in May, with the first operational contingent of 2,500-3,000 officers targeted for deployment by December.

The plan reflects the growing strategic value of Congolese minerals. The DRC is a major producer of copper, cobalt, tantalum, tin and tungsten, all of which are critical to batteries, electronics, defence systems, energy infrastructure and advanced manufacturing.

Mineral Security Becomes a Formal State Priority

The mine guard will be tasked with securing mine sites across the DRC and protecting ore shipments from mines to processors and border posts. It will gradually replace forces currently deployed to defend mining assets.

The unit is expected to cover the Greater Katanga and Greater Eastern regions by the end of 2027. It is then planned to expand to all mining provinces by the end of 2028.

This regional focus is important. Greater Katanga is central to copper and cobalt production, while eastern DRC is tied to several strategic minerals and long-running security challenges.

The plan shows that mineral security is becoming part of formal state policy. Mine protection is no longer only a company-level issue involving private security, local forces or site-specific arrangements.

For producers, a more structured security framework could reduce disruption risk if implemented effectively. It could improve transport reliability, protect export flows and lower exposure to armed interference around mining corridors.

However, execution will be critical. A large paramilitary force operating across mining regions must be governed transparently to avoid creating new operational, political or human-rights risks.

US and UAE Partnership Signals Strategic Minerals Competition

The mine guard plan is linked to a broader US-DRC strategic partnership agreed in December 2025. That agreement included expanded US access to DRC critical minerals and a wider minerals-for-security-style framework.

The agreements were part of the Washington accords, a US-backed peace deal between the DRC and Rwanda designed to reduce conflict in eastern DRC. But fighting has continued, with the Rwanda-backed M23 group still controlling several major towns and mining assets. Rwanda denies backing the group.

This makes the security dimension central to mineral strategy. Western governments want more reliable access to DRC copper, cobalt and other critical minerals, but supply cannot be secured only through offtake agreements or financing.

Physical control of mine sites, transport routes and border flows is becoming just as important as ownership and processing capacity.

For the US, the DRC offers one of the fastest routes to large-scale copper and cobalt supply outside China-dominated value chains. For the DRC, security partnerships could bring funding, international backing and more leverage over strategic mineral flows.

The creation of a mine guard also signals that critical minerals are now treated as national security assets. Copper and cobalt are no longer only mining commodities. They are inputs for batteries, grids, defence manufacturing and geopolitical supply-chain competition.

The Metalnomist Commentary

The DRC mine guard plan shows that critical minerals security is moving from boardrooms into the field. The key question is whether this force can protect supply chains without adding new governance risks to one of the world’s most strategic mining regions.

Premier African Minerals Zulu Lithium Project Raises Cash as Zimbabwe Pushes Beneficiation

Zulu lithium project

Premier African Minerals Zulu lithium project development has received fresh short-term funding after the UK-based miner raised £750,000 to continue work at its lithium and tantalum project in Zimbabwe. The financing will support site operations and help complete the project’s new flotation plant.

The company raised the funds through a new share issue priced at 0.0126p per share. Premier said the project needed steady working capital now that most of the plant hardware had been installed.

Premier African Minerals Zulu lithium project progress comes as Zimbabwe tightens its raw material policy. The country halted exports of raw lithium ore and concentrates on 25 February to encourage domestic beneficiation and capture more value from its lithium resources.

Flotation Plant Commissioning Becomes Near-Term Priority

The new funding will help Premier finish and commission the flotation plant during the second quarter. The plant is designed to extract lithium-rich minerals from crushed slurry, making it central to the project’s move toward saleable processed material.

Premier said flotation cells had been installed, while pumps for product and waste streams had been mounted and wired. Pipe crews were also connecting the new plant to the wider processing circuit.

The company has stockpiled about 5,000t of ore for initial testing. Its process engineering team is preparing a commissioning plan, which will determine how quickly the plant can move from mechanical completion to stable production.

Zimbabwe Export Ban Raises Pressure for Local Processing

Zimbabwe’s raw lithium export ban has increased pressure on miners to install processing capacity inside the country. For Premier African Minerals Zulu lithium project economics, this makes the flotation plant more important than a standard processing upgrade.

The policy shift reflects Zimbabwe’s broader ambition to move beyond raw mineral exports. By forcing more domestic beneficiation, the government aims to increase local value creation from lithium, tantalum, and other strategic minerals.

For investors, the key issue is execution. Premier must convert installed equipment, stockpiled ore, and new working capital into a functioning processing circuit that can operate under Zimbabwe’s stricter export framework.

The Metalnomist Commentary

Premier’s raise is small, but its timing is strategically important. Zimbabwe’s lithium policy is forcing miners to prove that local beneficiation is not just a political slogan, but a workable processing model.

Ivory Coast tantalum project: Xcelsior and Switch Metals target Issia funding push

Switch Metals

Xcelsior, based in the United Kingdom, signed an MoU with Switch Metals. The MoU advances the Ivory Coast tantalum project around Issia tantalum project. Meanwhile, the partners will pursue funding and engineering work for development. The Issia site hosts tantalum, niobium, beryllium, and lithium mineralization. This Ivory Coast tantalum project could diversify supply beyond higher-risk sources.

Financing and trading support strengthens the development case

Xcelsior links trading strength through its partnership with Wogen Resources. The firm operates from London and trades tantalum and niobium units globally. As a result, Switch Metals can tighten offtake talks early.

Issia’s artisanal history signals past recovery, but it also signals informal traceability. However, developers must build audited supply chains and compliant permits. Therefore, financing partners can accelerate feasibility work and community engagement.

Conflict-risk pressure reshapes global tantalum sourcing

Conflict-risk concerns now shape tantalum sourcing decisions. Many smelters avoid material from Democratic Republic of the Congo and nearby supply corridors. They also scrutinize links to Rwanda more closely. As a result, low-risk projects in Ivory Coast attract stronger buyer interest.

Prices already reward reliable supply. Super Metal Price assessed tantalite at $94–101 per pound on a cif basis. The assessment rose 24% versus the year’s opening level. Therefore, the Ivory Coast tantalum project may gain leverage in contract negotiations.

The Metalnomist Commentary

Investors now pay for traceable concentrates, not just grade. Meanwhile, West African projects could shorten due diligence cycles for electronics and aerospace buyers. Therefore, Xcelsior and Switch Metals should prioritize ESG reporting and early offtake MoUs.

Greenland critical minerals remain trapped behind cost and politics

Greenland

Greenland critical minerals remain largely untapped despite renewed geopolitical attention and massive resource potential. Greenland critical minerals, including rare earths, molybdenum and other strategic metals, face geological, financial and political hurdles. As a result, Greenland critical minerals will not quickly become a major new supply hub without heavy state-backed investment.

Geopolitics raise the profile of Greenland critical minerals

Trump’s push to acquire Greenland has thrust the island’s strategic value back into the spotlight. The US administration frames the issue primarily as national security, but officials also acknowledge the importance of Greenland critical minerals. However, Europe has pushed back strongly, with Denmark and other European leaders defending Greenland’s sovereignty and warning about US pressure tactics.

Tensions have escalated as Washington links the acquisition debate to tariffs on countries that oppose the move. Meanwhile, US, Danish and Greenlandic officials have failed to reach common ground in recent talks. This stand-off adds political uncertainty that further complicates long-term planning around Greenland critical minerals. Investors now must factor in both resource risk and geopolitical risk.

Resource scale contrasts with extraction and infrastructure hurdles

Greenland holds some of the world’s largest undeveloped rare earth and critical mineral resources. Geological surveys estimate tens of millions of tonnes of rare earths and significant potential in molybdenum, graphite, hafnium, niobium, tantalum, titanium and platinum group metals. However, Greenland critical minerals remain unproduced at scale because projects face harsh weather, complex geology and almost nonexistent infrastructure.

Operating in Greenland requires long logistics chains, specialised equipment and high-cost power solutions. Therefore, unit costs can exceed those of competing projects in more accessible regions. The government’s ban on uranium mining since 2021 also constrains project design where uranium is associated with rare earths. Without substantial public financing, many deposits remain technically attractive but commercially marginal.

Projects depend on government-backed funding and secure offtake

Early-stage projects illustrate both the promise and constraints of Greenland critical minerals. US-based Critical Metals’ Tanbreez project claims a huge share of global heavy rare earth potential and has filled its entire planned concentrate output with offtake contracts. However, the project still has not reached commercial production and relies on a tentative $120mn letter of interest from the US Export-Import Bank.

Similarly, Greenland Resources’ Malmberg molybdenum project has a long-term exploitation permit and supply agreements with European steel and metallurgical firms. As a result, European institutions now view the project as a strategic source for defense-related molybdenum demand. Even so, Malmberg also depends on significant EU-linked funding support to bridge the gap between geological potential and economic reality.

The Metalnomist Commentary

Greenland critical minerals sit at the intersection of security politics, industrial policy and project finance. For the US and EU, supporting these projects is less about cheap tonnage and more about diversified, allied supply for sensitive value chains. For investors and operators, success in Greenland will hinge on blending geology with patient capital, sovereign support and realistic timelines rather than expecting a quick rare earths windfall.

Patriot Battery Metals tantalum strategy advances in Quebec

Patriot Battery Metals

By-product pathway could unlock value

Patriot Battery Metals tantalum evaluation advances at Quebec’s Shaakichiuwaanaan project. The explorer will assess economic feasibility as a by-product. It could also recover gallium and cesium. The move complements its lithium pegmatite focus in James Bay. Patriot Battery Metals tantalum plan targets diversified revenues.

Resource scale underpins optionality

Tantalum supports capacitors, resistors, and superalloys. Demand stems from electronics and high-temperature applications. By-product streams can lower unit costs. However, clean separation and bankable offtakes remain essential. Stable pricing and ESG traceability will also matter.

Scale gives optionality for recovery circuits. The indicated resource totals 108mn t at 1.4pc lithium oxide. Grades include 166ppm tantalum pentoxide and 66ppm gallium. As a result, future flowsheets may integrate tantalum capture. Meanwhile, James Bay infrastructure supports development timelines.

A Canadian source would aid resilient supply chains. It could reduce reliance on conflicted tantalum imports. Therefore, Patriot Battery Metals tantalum opportunity aligns with critical minerals policy. Investors will watch metallurgy, capex, and offtake progress.

The Metalnomist Commentary

Patriot’s by-product strategy is a prudent hedge against lithium price volatility. If metallurgy proves robust, tantalum could enhance project economics and attract strategic partners.

NioBay Ships First Niobium and Tantalum Products from Quebec Pilot Plant

NioBay

First Shipments Mark Key Step in Commercialization

Canadian mineral exploration company NioBay has shipped its first niobium and tantalum products from its SGS pilot plant in Quebec City. The initial deliveries were sent to potential customers in Europe, with more shipments scheduled this month to expand outreach to additional buyers. These shipments mark a pivotal milestone in the company’s effort to commercialize critical mineral production from its Crevier project.

The pilot plant program was supported by a C$500,000 ($365,650) grant from Quebec’s Ministry of Natural Resources and Forests in June 2024. The funding allowed NioBay to advance its pilot-scale processing and demonstrate product quality to prospective industrial partners.

Strategic Role in Critical Mineral Supply Chains

NioBay is producing niobium oxide for battery manufacturers and tantalum oxide for high-tech applications, both of which are essential for sectors such as energy storage, electronics, and aerospace. With global demand for these critical minerals rising, the company’s progress positions it to become a valuable North American supplier in a market dominated by limited global producers.

As the Crevier project advances, NioBay aims to secure offtake agreements with international customers, strengthening its role in diversifying the supply of strategic minerals and reducing reliance on overseas sources.

The Metalnomist Commentary

NioBay’s first shipments of niobium and tantalum underscore Canada’s growing role in critical mineral production. With pilot-scale success and government backing, the firm is positioned to compete in strategic markets where supply security is increasingly vital for industrial innovation.

Patriot Expands Quebec Lithium Resource, Cementing Largest Pegmatite Deposit in the Americas

Patriot Battery Metals

Patriot's Shaakichiuwaanaan Project Emerges as a Strategic Lithium Asset

Patriot Battery Metals has increased indicated resources by 30% at its Quebec-based Shaakichiuwaanaan Lithium Project, reinforcing its position as the largest lithium pegmatite resource in the Americas. This development positions Canada as a growing heavyweight in the global battery metals supply chain.

The updated resource now totals 108 million metric tonnes, grading 1.4% lithium oxide. This equates to 3.75 million tonnes of lithium carbonate equivalent (LCE) — a critical input for electric vehicle (EV) batteries and energy storage systems. Located in the mineral-rich Eeyou Istchee James Bay region, the deposit is also the eighth largest lithium pegmatite resource globally, according to Patriot.

Strategic Metals Strengthen Project Value Beyond Lithium

In addition to lithium, the study revealed significant concentrations of tantalum, cesium, and gallium. These strategic metals play essential roles in electronics, semiconductors, and aerospace alloys. Their presence enhances the project’s economic potential and aligns with North America’s broader push for critical mineral independence.

Patriot’s advancement comes at a time when global supply chains are recalibrating around domestic resources. With China and other suppliers tightening controls on strategic materials, Western governments and manufacturers are increasingly turning to Canadian and U.S. projects for secure sourcing.

Feasibility Study Targeted for 2025

Patriot Battery Metals plans to release a maiden ore reserve and feasibility study by Q3 2025, based on the latest resource estimates. This timeline reflects growing investor interest in North American lithium development amid surging demand from the EV and energy sectors.

Meanwhile, the project's location in Quebec offers distinct advantages, including renewable hydroelectric power, government support, and proximity to U.S. manufacturing hubs.

The Metalnomist Commentary

Patriot’s 30% increase in lithium resources signals a strong step forward in North America’s bid for battery metal self-reliance. With a diversified mix of strategic metals and a globally ranked resource base, the Shaakichiuwaanaan Project stands poised to become a cornerstone in the Western critical minerals ecosystem.

AMG Lithium First Quarter Results Reflect Weak Prices, But Strategic Progress Continues

AMG Lithium

Lithium Concentrate Sales Drop Amid Pricing Pressure

AMG Lithium's first quarter results revealed a 22% drop in lithium concentrate sales, driven by end-2024 shipments and production testing. The Brazilian spodumene operation sold 12,167t in Q1 2025, compared to higher volumes a year earlier. The lithium unit also faced falling market prices, pushing Q1 revenue down 23% to $32mn.

Battery-Grade Production Begins in Germany

Despite revenue pressure, AMG Lithium achieved its first battery-grade lithium hydroxide output in Bitterfeld, Germany. While the firm has not yet disclosed a firm commercialization date, it confirmed that the product will soon enter the market. Meanwhile, AMG announced that its Portugal project is expected to begin lithium concentrate production by H1 2027 — marking a significant expansion step.

Parent Company Shows Strong Overall Growth

AMG Critical Materials, the parent company, posted Q1 revenue of $388mn, up 8% year-over-year. Gross profit rose by 56% to $82.6mn, fueled by stronger performance in vanadium, tantalum, and ferroalloy segments. Despite the AMG Lithium first quarter results showing weakness, the group’s broader material portfolio provided a strong financial cushion.

The Metalnomist Commentary

AMG Lithium’s Q1 slump reflects broader volatility in global lithium markets. However, the company’s move into battery-grade hydroxide and its planned Portugal expansion demonstrate long-term strategic alignment with Europe’s energy transition goals.

Neo to Secure Niobium Pentoxide Offtake from Globe Metals

Neo Performance Materials

Strategic Niobium Supply Deal Strengthens Neo’s European Operations

Neo Performance Materials has entered a non-binding offtake agreement with Globe Metals and Mining for niobium pentoxide (Nb₂O₅). The Canadian advanced materials company will receive up to 150 tonnes annually from Globe’s Kanyika tantalum-niobium project in Malawi.

The material will support Neo’s rare metals production facility in Sillamäe, Estonia, enhancing its supply of key inputs for magnet and alloy technologies. Neo also gains a limited right of first refusal on tantalum and zirconium concentrates from the Kanyika project.

Globe Metals Moves Closer to Full Offtake Coverage

Globe Metals plans to launch phase one production at the Kanyika mine in early 2027. With the Neo agreement, the company has now committed most of its future niobium and tantalum output under offtake terms.

Previously, Globe signed a preliminary offtake negotiation with Singapore-based Myste Trading, covering all 14t/year of tantalum pentoxide and up to 76t/year of niobium pentoxide from the same project.

These agreements signal strong market confidence in Globe’s Kanyika deposit and help de-risk financing and development as the project nears construction.

Growing Global Demand for Strategic Metals

Niobium is a critical material used in superalloys, magnets, and energy systems, and demand continues to grow in defense, EV, and aerospace sectors. By securing stable niobium offtake, Neo strengthens its rare metals portfolio amid intensifying global competition for secure supply chains.

Meanwhile, Globe Metals positions itself as a new player in the global niobium and tantalum market, leveraging its African resource base to support European and Asian demand.

The Metalnomist Commentary

As Europe and North America race to secure non-Chinese sources of strategic metals, deals like Neo’s with Globe Metals underscore a broader trend: mid-sized projects in Africa are rapidly gaining traction as reliable inputs into global clean tech, defense, and semiconductor supply chains.

Namibia Approves SQM’s $40M Lithium Investment in Lithium Ridge Project

Sociedad Química y Minera(SQM)

Chile’s SQM Joins Andrada to Accelerate Namibia’s Critical Mineral Development

Namibia’s Competition Commission (NaCC) has officially approved the strategic partnership between Chile’s SQM (Sociedad Química y Minera de Chile) and Namibia-based Andrada Mining, granting the final green light for the development of the Lithium Ridge project. This regulatory clearance paves the way for SQM to acquire up to a 50% stake in the project by fully funding up to $40 million in exploration activities and the completion of a definitive feasibility study (DFS).

Lithium Ridge Positioned as Key Regional Critical Minerals Asset

Located in Namibia’s Erongo region, Lithium Ridge contains pegmatites rich in lithium, tin, and tantalum, all of which are essential for electric vehicles (EVs), battery energy storage systems (BESS), and advanced electronics. With surging global demand for these materials, the project is positioned to become a strategic asset in Africa’s growing critical minerals economy.

The collaboration gives SQM access to high-grade mineral assets outside its traditional Latin American base, while Andrada gains global expertise and the financial backing necessary to scale development. Together, the companies aim to unlock the full value of Lithium Ridge and establish Namibia as a stable and significant supplier in the battery supply chain.

Namibia’s Role Grows in the Global Energy Transition

This deal comes as governments and industries increasingly look to diversify raw material sourcing amid geopolitical uncertainty. SQM’s planned investment and operational involvement reflect both confidence in Namibia’s regulatory framework and recognition of the country’s vast untapped mineral potential.

For Andrada Mining, the partnership is also a validation of its long-term strategy to lead in Namibian critical raw materials development. As SQM and Andrada move forward, the Lithium Ridge project is expected to deliver regional economic benefits while supplying global markets with responsibly sourced lithium and associated metals.

AMG Advances Lithium Hydroxide Refinery in Germany with Integrated Supply from Brazil’s Mibra Mine

AMG Critical Materials

Bitterfeld Plant Set for Ramp-Up as AMG Expands Low-Cost Lithium Feedstock Operations and Secures Offtake with EcoPro

AMG Critical Materials On Track to Launch First German Lithium Hydroxide Refinery

AMG Critical Materials, a Dutch specialty chemicals producer, is making steady progress toward the ramp-up of its lithium hydroxide refinery in Bitterfeld, Germany. The first module, with a capacity of 20,000 metric tonnes per year, is designed to supply high-purity lithium hydroxide to Europe’s fast-growing battery manufacturing sector.

The German plant will process technical-grade lithium salts sourced from AMG's integrated Mibra Mine in Brazil, which produces lithium concentrate and co-produces tantalum, providing a critical cost advantage in spodumene processing.

Brazil's Mibra Expansion Strengthens AMG’s Vertically Integrated Lithium Strategy

In 2024, AMG completed the expansion of its Brazilian lithium operations, increasing production capacity from 90,000 tonnes to 130,000 tonnes per year. Despite selling 88,966 dry metric tonnes of concentrate—6% less than in 2023—the company achieved an average sales price of $854/dmt cif China.

Crucially, the Mibra Mine maintains a low production cost of $458/dmt, supported by tantalum byproduct credits. This low-cost feedstock enhances AMG’s competitive position as the Bitterfeld plant begins to scale production.

Offtake Agreement Secured with EcoPro as European Battery Market Grows

To ensure downstream placement, AMG signed a binding multiyear supply agreement in 2022 with South Korea’s EcoPro, one of the world's largest cathode material producers. Under this deal, AMG will supply battery-grade lithium hydroxide from its Bitterfeld refinery, reinforcing its role in the European EV battery supply chain.

The project aligns with EU ambitions to localize and secure critical raw material supplies amid growing demand for sustainable energy technologies. AMG’s fully integrated mine-to-refinery model positions it as a key player in Europe’s lithium ecosystem.

Australia Unveils $4.5 Billion Tax Incentive to Boost Critical Minerals Sector

the Critical Minerals Production Tax Incentive (CMPTI)

CMPTI Targets Lithium, Rare Earths, and Other Strategic Metals to Secure Global Supply Chains

Australia has passed a landmark law — the Critical Minerals Production Tax Incentive (CMPTI) — aimed at increasing domestic processing of critical minerals essential for the global energy transition. This A$7 billion ($4.5 billion) policy will grant eligible producers a 10% tax offset on processing and refining costs over a 10-year project lifespan, starting from July 2027 to June 2040.

The legislation stands as one of the most significant government-backed resource incentives in Australia's history. It is expected to attract international investment, enhance supply chain security, and cement Australia's role as a global powerhouse in the critical minerals market. Federal Resources Minister Madeleine King described the policy as a “game changer” for the nation’s mining and refining sector.

Critical Minerals in Focus: Lithium, Cobalt, and Rare Earths Lead the Pack

The CMPTI applies to all 31 minerals listed on Australia’s official critical minerals list, which includes high-demand metals such as lithium, cobalt, vanadium, tantalum, gallium, rare earth elements, and tungsten. These metals are essential for producing electric vehicles, solar panels, wind turbines, semiconductors, and advanced defense systems.

Notably, these same minerals are also recognized as critical by strategic global partners, including the United States, European Union, India, Japan, South Korea, and the United Kingdom. This alignment underscores the importance of Australia’s role in creating reliable, ethical, and diversified sources of supply.

Hydrogen Production Incentive Complements Clean Energy Push

In tandem with the CMPTI, the legislation also introduces a hydrogen production tax incentive of A$2 per kilogram for renewable hydrogen. This dual-incentive framework positions Australia to lead not just in raw material extraction but in the green energy revolution, promoting cleaner technologies and reducing reliance on carbon-intensive imports.

With the global demand for low-emission technologies surging, Australia’s tax incentive scheme enhances its appeal as a long-term partner in securing clean energy infrastructure.

Critical Elements Lithium Secures Funding Interest for Rose Li-Ta Project

Critical Elements Lithium

Canadian company may receive up to $115 million to advance its Quebec-based lithium-tantalum project.

Critical Elements Lithium, a Canadian-based company, has received significant funding interest for its Rose Lithium-Tantalum project located in northern Quebec. The funding, potentially amounting to $115 million, was offered through a support letter from a leading Canadian financial institution. The support letter outlines the institution’s interest in providing long-term debt financing for the project, marking a crucial step toward advancing the company’s operations.

Rose Lithium-Tantalum Project Overview

The Rose project, situated in Eeyou Istchee James Bay, northern Quebec, is poised to become a major player in the lithium and tantalum markets. Critical Elements plans to produce 203,765 metric tonnes per year of spodumene concentrates and 580 tonnes of tantalite concentrates. These materials are essential for various industries, particularly in the production of electric vehicle batteries and electronic components, highlighting the project's strategic importance in the global supply chain for critical minerals.

A Promising Future for Critical Elements Lithium

With this potential funding, Critical Elements Lithium is positioned to accelerate its development efforts and continue advancing the Rose project. This move aligns with the growing demand for lithium and tantalum, driven by the shift toward renewable energy and electric vehicles. The project’s success could not only bolster Canada’s standing in the global minerals market but also help secure a more sustainable future by providing essential materials for green technologies.

Conclusion

The potential for up to $115 million in funding marks a significant milestone for Critical Elements Lithium. As the Rose Lithium-Tantalum project moves forward, it stands to contribute significantly to Canada’s resource-based economy while supporting the global transition to renewable energy.

Zijin Mining to Launch Manono Lithium Project in DRC in 2026

Zijin Mining

Zijin Mining plans to commence production at its Manono lithium project in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) in the first quarter of 2026. The project, located in the northeastern portion of the Manono mine, aims to produce 100,000 tonnes per year of spodumene concentrate (SC), equivalent to lithium carbonate equivalent (LCE).  Zijin is also constructing a facility at the site to process some of the spodumene into lithium sulphate, with production also slated to begin in 2026.

Joint Venture and Project Significance

Zijin describes the Manono mine as one of the world's largest open-pit exploitable lithium-rich lithium, cesium, tantalum pegmatite deposits.  The DRC government granted Zijin exploration rights for the northeastern section of the mine on October 23, 2023. DRC's state-owned mining firm, Cominiere, which registered the exploration rights for Manono in 2023, partnered with Zijin to develop this section.  The two companies formed a joint venture, Manono Lithium, with Zijin's subsidiary, Jinxiang Lithium, holding a 61% stake and Cominiere owning the remaining 39%.

Zijin's Lithium Expansion Strategy

Zijin Mining has been actively expanding its lithium business. The company aims to increase its total lithium production dramatically, from 2023 levels to between 250,000 and 300,000 tonnes of LCE by 2028.  In addition to the Manono project, Zijin plans to start production at several other lithium projects. These include the Tres Quebradas (3Q) lithium brine project in Argentina (20,000 t/yr lithium carbonate, 2025), the Lakkor Tso Lithium project in Tibet (20,000 t/yr lithium hydroxide, 2025), and the second phase of the Xiangyuan mine in central China (capacity increase from 3,000 to 30,000 t/yr LCE, Q2 2025).

Andrada Boosts Tantalum Production, Expands Lithium Operations

Andrada

Namibia-based Andrada Mining has made significant strides in its tantalum and lithium production efforts. On 26 September, the company reported an increase in tantalum output and the commencement of petalite concentrate sales, which are part of its broader strategy to expand lithium production. At the Uis mine in west-central Namibia, Andrada has installed a tantalum circuit and ramped up production, shipping 15 tons of tantalum concentrate with a grade of 10.8% tantalum pentoxide (Ta2O5) to AfriMet, a commodity trading firm. This is an improvement from the 9 tons produced in the previous quarter, under a one-year offtake agreement set to expire on 1 January 2025.

Expanding Lithium Opportunities

Alongside tantalum production, Andrada has been advancing its lithium operations by producing high-purity petalite concentrate as part of an off-site pilot program. This concentrate will undergo further testing to explore its potential for conversion into lithium carbonate and lithium hydroxide. Andrada has already made a one-off sale of 5 tons of petalite concentrate, grading over 4% Li₂O, to a ceramic producer.

In a major strategic move, Andrada has partnered with Chilean lithium giant SQM to develop the Lithium Ridge asset in Namibia. The partnership allows SQM to fund exploration and a feasibility study for the project, while Andrada retains operational control during this period.

Andrada also reported stable tin production during the three months ending in August, producing 239 tons of tin.

Malawi's Kanyika Niobium Mine Granted Extension for Development

Australia-based Globe Metals and Mining has received a one-year extension to start operations at its Kanyika niobium project in central Malawi. The deadline has been pushed to 27 September 2025, due to delays in finalizing a mine development agreement with the Malawian government.

The Kanyika mine, set to become Africa’s first niobium mine, will produce niobium and tantalum oxides for export to western markets. Globe plans to develop the mine in two phases, with phase 1 set to begin in early 2026 and phase 2 in the third quarter of 2028.

Significance of Niobium in Critical Industries

Once operational, the mine is projected to produce around 3,250 tonnes of niobium and 140 tonnes of tantalum annually over its 25-year lifespan, with potential for extension. Niobium is crucial to industries such as military, aerospace, space exploration, and medicine. It is also increasingly important in emerging fields like quantum electronics, semiconductor manufacturing, and electric vehicles.