Petersburg-based company Atlantic Strategic Minerals plans to invest $50 million to restart mining operations in Dinwiddie and Sussex counties in Virginia. The company aims to produce rare earth elements, titanium, and zirconium, which are considered critical minerals by the federal government. The mine, previously owned by IIuka, will operate for approximately six years across an area of 20 to 40 acres and is expected to create 71 jobs. Atlantic Strategic Minerals will rehabilitate their concentrator and separator plant in Sussex County to extract the minerals. Titanium and zirconium are included on the federal list of critical minerals due to their significance in space exploration, renewable energy, defense, and consumer manufacturing. The U.S. Department of Energy ranks titanium as highly important to energy projects and supply chain risk. Atlantic Strategic Minerals will collaborate with Virginia Tech to conduct soil testing for reclamation purposes after the mining operations are completed.
In a related development, The Doe Run Company has been awarded a $7 million grant from the Department of Defense (DoD) to construct a demonstration plant at its technology center in Viburnum, Missouri. The plant will utilize the company's proprietary technology to produce cobalt and nickel products from mineral resources controlled by Doe Run. Cobalt and nickel are essential for national security and advanced battery energy storage. The U.S. currently imports 76% of its demand for cobalt and 56% of nickel. Doe Run aims to advance its technology and eventually construct a full-scale commercial hydrometallurgical plant in Missouri.
Canada Nickel Company Inc. participated in the 2024 Energy Transition Metals Summit in Washington, D.C. to discuss strengthened Ontario-US trade partnerships and collaboration in critical minerals. The CEO emphasized the importance of nickel in high-tech applications like electric vehicles and stainless steel production. The Crawford Nickel Sulphide Project in the Timmins Nickel District was showcased as a model of innovation and sustainability. Canada Nickel Company is working with the Ontario Government, Canadian, and US officials to enhance the critical minerals supply chain and promote sustainable mining practices.
The US government is exploring opportunities to process nickel ore in the Philippines, according to the US Trade and Development Agency (USTDA). USTDA Director Enoh T. Ebong stated that the US is currently working on critical minerals projects in the Philippines, specifically with Eramen Minerals to modernize and increase the processing of nickel ore. The US Senior Official for Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation, Matt Murray, mentioned that there have been economic engagements between the Philippines and the US, including a Trade and Investment Mission led by Commerce Secretary Gina M. Raimondo. The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) stated that the Philippines has proposed to accede to the US-Japan Critical Minerals Agreement instead of entering into a bilateral agreement with the US. [ea7c43a8] [b80d49bc] [4c4a4f9e] [007e733b] [70b9301e]
US-based developer Electric Metals has unveiled an upgraded mineral resource estimate for its Emily manganese project in Minnesota. The project is now considered the continent's highest-grade manganese resource. At a 10% cutoff grade, Emily's indicated resources have increased by 20.9% to 6.2 million tons, with a grade of 19.27% manganese. Inferred resources have surged by 596.5% to 4.9 million tons, with a grade of 17.5%. Electric Metals CEO highlights the quality of the Emily deposit, with numerous core samples exceeding 50% manganese, a grade unparalleled in North America and much of the world. The company's focus is to convert Emily's resources into high-grade mineable reserves and advance metallurgical testing to optimize the production of high-value, high-grade manganese chemicals and products. Electric Metals will be conducting studies to determine potential sites for a high-purity manganese sulphate monohydrate plant and to perform a scoping or prefeasibility level study for the plant. With no manganese mine supply in North America, governments and regulators are pushing to build a domestic US supply chain. Manganese is on the Department of Commerce's list of minerals critical to the US economy. [a3fd3e91]
On July 3, 2024, Governor Kim Jin-tae of Gangwon Special Self-Governing Province visited Almonty Industries' tungsten mine redevelopment site in Sangdong-eup, Yeongwol county, South Korea. Accompanied by Yeongwol County Mayor Choi Myung-seo, they explored the 1.3 km of transport portals built by Almonty. Almonty has invested nearly 130 billion KRW (approx. US$94 million) in the Sangdong Tungsten Mine redevelopment since 2015, with plans for an additional 50 billion KRW (approx. US$36 million) by mid-2025. This investment is expected to generate an economic impact of over 500 billion KRW (approx. US$360 million) and create up to 1,800 jobs within Gangwon Special Self-Governing Province. The Sangdong processing plant will begin producing 65% WO3 high-grade tungsten concentrate shortly, while a tungsten oxide production plant is planned for completion by 2027. Until then, the concentrate will be processed abroad. Governor Kim emphasized the economic revival the mine will bring and the strengthening of resource security. [8914e666]