#Critical Minerals

[rjzimmerman]

Excerpt from this story from Heatmap News:

A top aide to incoming President Donald Trump is claiming the president-elect wants the U.S. to acquire Greenland to acquire more rare minerals.

“This is about critical minerals. This is about natural resources,” Trump’s soon-to-be national security advisor Michael Waltz told Fox News host Jesse Watters Thursday night, adding: “You can call it Monroe Doctrine 2.0, but it’s all part of the America First agenda.”

Greenland is rich in “rare earths,” a class of unique and uncommon hardrock resources used for advanced weaponry, electronics, energy and transportation technologies, including electric vehicles. It is home to the Kvanefjeld deposit, believed to be one of the richest rare earth deposits in the world. Kvanefjeld is also stuffed with uranium, crucial for anything and everything nuclear.

Experts in security policy have advocated for years for Western nations to band together to ensure that China, which controls the vast majority of the world’s rare earth minerals, does not obtain a foothold in Greenland. U.S. and Danish officials have reportedly urged the developer of the island’s Tanbreez deposit — rich in the rare earths-containing mineral eudialyte — not to sell its project to any company linked to China. Eudialyte also contains high amounts of neodymium, an exceedingly rare metal used in magnets coveted by the tech sector.

If the U.S. somehow took control of Greenland, it could possibly seize these resources from Denmark, a NATO ally, and the Greenlandic home-rule government. So too could it lead to Greenlanders losing control of their homeland. The country’s minerals have been a major source of domestic debate, as politicians critical of mining have won recent elections and regulators have since fought with mining companies over their plans.

Waltz didn’t go into that much detail on Fox. But he made it clear how the incoming administration sees the situation around control of the island.

“Denmark can be a great ally, but you can’t treat Greenland, which they have operational control over, as some kind of backwater,” Waltz told Waters. “The people of Greenland, all 56,000 of them, are excited about the prospect of making the Western Hemisphere great again.”

[xtruss]

Zimbabwe’s ‘White Gold’! Critical Minerals Law Favors China

Harare has Africa’s largest lithium reserves and Beijing is poised to benefit, despite an export ban.

— By Nosmot Gbadamosi | Foreign Policy | August 16th, 2023

A foreman looks on as an earth mover works on the slippery road at Arcadia Mine on Jan. 11, 2022 in Goromonzi, Zimbabwe. ​Tafadzwa Ufumeli/Getty Images

The world’s clean-energy transition will be impossible without African minerals—and a degree of resource nationalism from African countries is benefiting China, which has for decades invested in the African Green-Energy Market and accounts for 59 percent of the world’s lithium refining. Chinese companies run the majority of Zimbabwe’s mines and are better positioned to expand domestic processing there.

Lithium, often referred to as “White Gold,” is essential to producing Solar Panels and the Rechargeable Batteries that power electric vehicles; and in 2022, demand pushed prices up by more than 100 percent. Africa could supply a fifth of the world’s lithium needs by 2030, but to best serve citizens, African leaders are demanding that miners go beyond extraction and add value by locally processing the raw mineral.

Last December, Zimbabwe 🇿🇼, which has Africa’s Largest Lithium Reserves, imposed a ban on raw lithium ore exports, requiring companies to set up plants in the country and process ore into concentrates before export in order to boost local jobs and revenue. Those seeking to export and not process domestically would need to provide proof of exceptional circumstances and receive written permission to export raw lithium ore.

Zimbabwe’s ban, called the Base Minerals Export Control Act, will stop the country losing billions in mineral proceeds to foreign companies, officials said. Namibia 🇳🇦 has followed suit; and in 2020 around 42 percent of African nations, excluding those in North Africa, had implemented restrictions on raw exports, including the Democratic Republic of Congo 🇨🇩, Ghana 🇬🇭, and Nigeria 🇳🇬.

Traditionally, “mining companies after extraction enjoy all the benefits [while] leaving communities in their catchment areas to bear the brunt of life-threatening dangers associated with their operations,” Edmond Kombat, research and finance director of Ghana’s 🇬🇭 Institute for Energy Security, told ESI Africa. “It is time to stop that practice.”

However, China, which controls the world’s critical minerals supply chain, is ideally placed to reap benefits in these situations, because several Chinese owned companies have recently completed processing plants in the country. Chinese-owned Companies have Spent more than $1 Billion acquiring and developing lithium projects in Zimbabwe, which in contrast has seen Very Little Western investment.

Last month, Chinese minerals giant Zhejiang Huayou Cobalt opened a $300 million lithium processing plant at its Arcadia Mine in Zimbabwe, which it bought last year from Australia-based Prospect Resources for $422 million. The plant currently has the capacity to process around 450,000 metric tons of lithium concentrate annually. Under Zimbabwean law the refined lithium can then be exported for further processing into battery-grade lithium outside Zimbabwe.

In May, another Chinese company, Chengxin Lithium Group, commissioned a lithium concentrator to produce 300,000 metric tons per year at the Sabi Star mine in eastern Zimbabwe. And China’s Sinomine Resource Group said last month it had completed a $300 million lithium plant, after it bought Bikita Minerals, one of Africa’s oldest lithium mines, for $180 million.

Zimbabwe hopes to satisfy 20 percent of the world’s total lithium demand when it fully exploits its known lithium resources. “If we continue exporting raw lithium we will go nowhere,” Deputy Mines Minister Polite Kambamura told Bloomberg last year. “We want to see lithium batteries being developed in the country.”

New rules stipulate that a 5 percent royalty rate will be payable on lithium exported, due half in cash and half in processed final products so that the country can build cash reserves it could use for government-backed borrowing.

U.S. sanctions on Zimbabwe 🇿🇼, imposed since 2001, have impacted the country’s access to borrowing and investment, leaving few options but China. Last year, Zimbabwean Finance and Economic Development Minister Mthuli Ncube claimed the country has lost more than $42 billion in revenue as a result of Western sanctions. The Zimbabwe Investment Development Agency reportedly received 160 lithium investment applications from investors based in China in the first half of 2023 compared to just five from the United States.

Even among Zimbabwe’s regional peers, U.S. companies have been left on the backfoot. Nigeria Rejected Elon Musk’s Tesla in favor of Beijing-based Ming Xin Mineral Separation to build Nigeria’s first lithium processing plant in Kaduna State, in the country’s northwest region. Nigerian officials reportedly rejected Tesla’s proposal because it did not align with the country’s new policies. “Our new mining policy demands that you add some value to raw mineral ores, including lithium, before you export,” Ayodeji Adeyemi, special assistant to Nigeria’s mines and steel development minister, told Rest of World.

For decades, African economists complained that foreign companies extracted minerals without benefit to citizens. In 2015, Zimbabwean researchers estimated the country had lost $12 billion due to illegal trade involving multinational companies in China 🇨🇳, Canada 🇨🇦, the United States 🇺🇸, and the United Kingdom 🇬🇧 —enough money to pay off Zimbabwe’s foreign debt.

Africa holds more than 40 Percent of Global Reserves of Key Minerals for batteries and hydrogen technologies. Yet it’s predicted that, by 2030, more than 80 percent of the world’s poor will live in Africa, and about 75 percent of them in resource-rich countries.

It makes sense for African Nations to step up efforts to increase quality jobs. “The United States and Europe must ensure that the partnerships they are building in Africa are mutually beneficial and non-extractive,” Theophile Pouget-Abadie and Rachel Rizzo recently wrote in Foreign Policy. “Otherwise, they will run headlong into the walls erected by an increasingly dominant Beijing.”

Washington in January signed a memorandum of understanding to help the Democratic Republic of Congo 🇨🇩 and Zambia 🇿🇲 develop an electric battery supply chain. But China is going beyond this in terms of thinking about what African nations need. Beijing, for example, with support from the United Nations 🇺🇳 Development Program, is facilitating a joint research center in Ethiopia 🇪🇹 to fast-track access to renewable energy in the country.

Experts warn that more African countries banning critical raw minerals exports will impede global decarbonization. Zimbabwe’s ban is perceived as unrealistic because the country lacks skilled workers. Some countries (Kenya 🇰🇪, Tanzania 🇹🇿, and Zambia 🇿🇲) have implemented policies requiring mining companies to train locals, according to a recent World Bank report. The report suggests national export bans alone can make countries worse off because investors simply move their business elsewhere, but that training requirements could ensure retention of investment and the creation of a skilled workforce.

[batteryrecyclingcompany]

Unlocking the Potential of Critical Minerals: The Future of EV Battery Recycling in India

As the world pivots towards a sustainable future, the demand for electric vehicles (EVs) is skyrocketing, driven by the urgent need to reduce carbon emissions and transition to cleaner energy sources. In this era of electrified mobility, one thing becomes abundantly clear: the importance of critical minerals like lithium, cobalt, nickel, and graphite is set to increase dramatically. These minerals are the lifeblood of lithium-ion batteries that power electric vehicles, smartphones, and renewable energy storage systems.

The Global Challenge: Demand vs. Supply of Critical Minerals

The global rush for EVs has led to an unprecedented surge in the demand for critical minerals. However, mining alone cannot meet the growing needs of industries reliant on these materials. The mining of lithium, cobalt, and other key minerals often comes with severe environmental impacts, including water depletion, pollution, and exploitation of vulnerable populations in mining regions. As electric vehicle adoption grows, it's clear that the only sustainable way forward is through the recycling of EV batteries—a method that holds the potential to reduce the dependence on virgin mineral sources.

In fact, by 2030, it's estimated that over 2 million metric tons of EV batteries will need to be processed worldwide, a clear signal that recycling of EV batteries will play a pivotal role in mitigating resource depletion and lowering the carbon footprint of battery manufacturing. Yet, the rate of recycling remains insufficient, with only a small fraction of these materials being recovered, processed, and reused.

EV Battery Recycling: A Booming Opportunity for India

India, with its ambitious electric vehicle adoption targets and commitment to renewable energy, stands at the cusp of a transformative opportunity in battery recycling. As per industry projections, India’s EV market is expected to grow exponentially, with estimates suggesting up to 10 million EVs could be on Indian roads by 2030. This presents both a challenge and an opportunity—how will India manage the recycling of EV batteries, especially considering the country’s limited infrastructure for handling used batteries?

The good news is that India is well-positioned to lead the charge in EV battery recycling, thanks to its growing expertise in sustainable technologies and strong policy support. The government is already laying the groundwork for a robust recycling ecosystem, including setting up large-scale facilities and developing standards for the collection, reuse, and processing of EV batteries. A crucial part of this is ensuring that critical minerals like lithium, nickel, and cobalt are recovered efficiently, reducing the strain on global mining operations and ensuring that India can play a significant role in the global supply chain of recycled materials.

Technological Innovation Driving Recycling Efficiency

Recent advancements in battery recycling technology are opening new avenues for improving efficiency and cost-effectiveness. In the United States, researchers have developed groundbreaking techniques to recycle the cathode, one of the most expensive and critical components of lithium-ion batteries. These methods not only retain the original structure of the cathode but also improve its performance, leading to batteries that last longer and charge faster. Such innovations could significantly enhance the viability of battery recycling, particularly in countries like India where recycling infrastructure is still in its infancy.

For India, this means that investing in cutting-edge recycling technology could be a game-changer. As the country ramps up its EV fleet, it could capitalize on these innovations to create a sustainable and circular economy for EV batteries. Furthermore, by focusing on recycling of EV batteries, India could drastically reduce its reliance on imported critical minerals, bolstering its energy security and reducing its environmental impact.

The Path Forward: Policy and Infrastructure for Battery Recycling in India

The path towards a successful EV battery recycling ecosystem in India is twofold: policy and infrastructure. India’s policymakers must focus on creating a clear regulatory framework for battery disposal, second-life applications, and recycling. Initiatives like extended producer responsibility (EPR), incentives for recycling companies, and partnerships with global players in battery tech can stimulate growth in this sector.

At the same time, investment in recycling infrastructure is essential. Establishing large-scale recycling plants and supporting research into more efficient processes for material recovery will help India meet the growing demand for recycled critical minerals. By doing so, India can not only reduce the environmental and economic costs associated with traditional mining but also create new job opportunities in green industries.

The Bottom Line

The world is on the brink of a significant shift toward EVs, and as this transition accelerates, the need for ev lithium-ion batteries reverse logistics and around the world will only intensify. By focusing on recycling technologies and ensuring that critical minerals are recovered from used batteries, India has the opportunity to become a leader in the global battery supply chain. The future of sustainable mobility hinges on how efficiently we can close the loop on battery materials—and with the right policies and infrastructure in place, India could be at the forefront of this global revolution.

In the coming decade, the critical minerals supply chain will be redefined by the success of battery recycling. It’s time to act now for a sustainable and prosperous future.

Visit us at: Salvage value for li-ion battery

Originally published on: Medium

[16-ruchi-blog]

India’s Geopolitics For Critical Mineral Race

Can India break free from its dependence on critical minerals? 🤔 Discover how global partnerships are shaping India's role in the mineral race! 🌍⚡ #CriticalMinerals #IndiaMining #Sustainability #Geopolitics #EnergyTransition

Critical minerals are the backbone of modern industries. They power renewable energy systems, electric vehicles, and advanced defense technologies.  As the world moves towards a green and digital future, it has become very important to secure these resources. Moreover, they have now become a geopolitical priority. These critical raw materials hold a very important place for India as it has set…

[africaindustrializationday]

Member States Briefing on the outcomes of the Secretary-General's Panel on Critical Energy Transition Minerals.

Following the release of the Panel's report Resourcing the Energy Transition – Principles to Guide Critical Energy Transition Minerals Towards Equity and Justice last month, the United Nations is consulting widely with Member States and other relevant stakeholders on the findings. The Member State briefing is an opportunity for delegations to provide feedback on the Panel's work and help inform next steps. The Secretary-General established the Panel in April 2024 in response to calls from developing countries amid signs that the energy transition could reproduce and amplify inequalities of the past and to identify ways to ground the renewables-based energy transition in justice and equity, safeguarding human rights and protecting the environment. At the conclusion of their work, the Panel recommended seven guiding principles and five actionable recommendations to embed justice and equity in critical mineral value chains.

Related Sites and Documents

Website Panel’s report

Watch the Member States Briefing on the outcomes of the Secretary-General's Panel on Critical Energy Transition Minerals!

[coopsday]

Press conference by the Co-Chairs of the UN Secretary-General's Panel on Critical Energy Transition Minerals. 

Press conference by the Co-Chairs of the UN Secretary-General's Panel on Critical Energy Transition Minerals, Ambassador Mxakato-Diseko of South Africa and Director-General Ditte Juul Jørgensen of the European Commission, on the release of the panel's report. 

Watch the Press Conference: Co-Chairs of the UN Secretary-General's Panel on Critical Energy Transition Minerals.

[greenfue]

China will lobby African nations to snap up green tech exports

China will try to convince leaders from 50 African countries to purchase more of its green exports in return for more loans and investment at the China-Africa Cooperation Summit tomorrow, Reuters reports. The country is hoping to secure agreements before Western levies come into effect on some of their exports, mainly electric vehicles and solar panels. A change in tactics: China wants to gain…

[gmdc-ltd]

Rare Earth Mining by GMDC

What is Rare Earth?

Rare Earth refers to a group of 17 naturally occurring metallic elements with unique properties and a wide range of industrial applications. These elements are essential for the global transition to a low-carbon economy, particularly in the production of clean energy technologies. Their critical role in the advancement of technology and sustainable development underscores the importance of securing a stable supply of these elements. REEs are divided into two categories:

Light Rare Earth Elements include elements like lanthanum (La), cerium (Ce), praseodymium (Pr), neodymium (Nd) and samarium (Sm). These elements are abundant and generally have a low atomic weight. 

Heavy Rare Earth Elements include elements such terbium (Tb), dysprosium (Dy) and yttrium (Y). They are less abundant and have a higher atomic weight. 

GMDC’s Portfolio includes High Purity Light Rare Earth Oxides 

Neodymium (Nd) and Praseodymium (Pr) are essential for making the strongest permanent magnets which are critical for motors in EVs and wind turbines. 

Lanthanum (La) is primarily used in the catalytic cracking process in the petroleum industry, as well as in  the electronics, optics industries and batteries for hybrid cars. 

Cerium (Ce) is used in catalytic converters in the automotive industry, as polishing powder for glass products and in electrical components. 

Developing India’s Sustainable Permanent Magnet Supply Chain 

We aim to develop an end-to-end REE value chain from rare earth mining, processing, separation and end-product manufacturing. We are establishing one of the world's top rare earth processing hubs in India. The hub will integrate the entire REE value chain and support downstream activities across industries such as metals or alloys, NdFeB magnets, electric motors, glass and optical glass manufacturing in India. 

Mining and Beautification in Ambadungar 

GMDC is developing one of the world’s largest rare earth deposits at Ambadungar, a village in Chhota Udepur district of Gujarat. The project includes an open pit mine, processing plants, tailings storage facility, water supply, bulk power supply, mine infrastructure, workshops, offices, modern residential facilities with a best-in-class living ecosystem. 

Our Ambadungar deposits contain light earth elements (LREEs), which are critical minerals for most economies globally. The ore will be mined from an open-pit mine and transferred for processing through crushing, milling, conditioning and floatation to form a mixed rare earth concentrate. 

Separation and Integrated Downstream Manufacturing at Bharuch 

The mixed rare earth carbonate produced in Ambadungar will be transferred to our separation plant in our REE hub at Bharuch. The end-result from this separation process will be the valuable rare earth oxides - Nd, Pr, La, Ce. 

These separated oxides will be converted into metals and further used in manufacturing products such as catalysts for catalytic cracking as well as rare earth magnets - which are essential for the global transition to clean energy and mobility. GMDC provides critical minerals from rare earth mining. To know more about our services, visit our website  https://www.gmdcltd.com/

[appalachianfuturism]

“Firepoint Energy Inc, a Wyoming C-Corp startup with principal offices opening in Pennsylvania and Texas, announces the discovery of more than $130 billion in rare earth minerals in waste coal samples collected from nine locations in Pennsylvania.

The test results confirmed by Conti Labs in Bethel Park, Pennsylvania prove that the waste coal samples contained dozens of critical rare earth elements (REEs), including neodymium, dysprosium, europium, lithium praseodymium, and terbium. All of these minerals have been declared to be critical to the U.S. economy and national security per the Energy Act of 2020…”

[waterandenergyrelief]

Panel Discussion on Critical Energy Transition Minerals.

Critical minerals such as copper, lithium, nickel, cobalt and rare earth elements are essential components of clean energy technologies, including wind turbines, solar panels, electric vehicles and battery storage. Rising demand for these minerals to fuel the renewables revolution presents risks, challenges and opportunities, particularly for developing countries. In response, Secretary-General António Guterres is leveraging the United Nations' convening power to assemble a diverse and representative group of governments and non-state actors to facilitate standards and safeguards, and embed justice, in the transition to renewable energy.

A newly established Panel on Critical Energy Transition Minerals -- co-chaired by Ambassador Nozipho Joyce Mxakato-Diseko of South Africa and Ms. Ditte Juul Jørgensen Director-General for Energy from the European Commission -- will develop a set of global common and voluntary principles to guide governments and other stakeholders involved in critical minerals value chains in the years ahead by addressing issues relating to equity, transparency, investment, sustainability and human rights.

UN-convened panel to address equity, sustainability and human rights across the value chains of critical energy transition minerals

[rjzimmerman]

Excerpt from this Op-Ed from the Scientific American:

Copper and potash might not seem like the stuff of high drama, but controversy over critical minerals and the question of whether some should truly be considered “critical” is playing out in the halls of Congress right now. A rush for mining mundane metals and salts isn’t about moving the U.S. toward a renewable energy economy either. It’s about powerful corporate interests finding underhanded ways to circumvent scientific assessments and environmental regulations.

Their goal: big profits for a lucky few.

The worldwide move toward a green economy has triggered calls for easing mining of rare earth minerals, ones essential to modern devices and electrical infrastructure. But a flurry of bills that some members of Congress hope to push by year’s end focus on changes to the laws that govern mining and critical mineral designations. Without regard for the status of how critical—or not—a material actually is, however, this tranche of legislation simply allows the mining industry to co-opt the green economy moment. And while the industry seeks to profit, communities and the environment will ultimately pay.

To most people, a critical mineral might simply be a metal that’s important for everyday needs such as smartphones, electric cars and renewable energy. In the mining industry, however, the U.S. government designating a mineral as “critical” can bring significant benefits, including tax credits and expedited permitting allowed under federal environmental laws. But what the mining industry believes to be important or profitable may not be legally “critical”—and that distinction is something the industry hopes the public won’t recognize.

When it comes to energy transition materials, the term “critical” has a specific meaning. Under current law, the Department of Energy assesses which energy sector materials have a high risk of supply chain disruption and regularly updates its “critical materials” list accordingly. Meanwhile the U.S. Geological Survey assesses which subset of “critical minerals,” many mined overseas, are essential to U.S. economic and national security. Each of these federal agencies conducts rigorous, factual and scientific reviews to determine which materials should qualify as “critical.” Conflating these lists and various meanings of “critical” will only obscure our government’s ability to administer the appropriate policy for a specific supply chain.

For example, two of the most problematic bills would effectively designate copper, potash and phosphates as critical minerals—despite the fact that all of these are currently mined in North America and relatively abundant. Moreover, copper is already on the Department of Energy’s critical materials list to address supply chain concerns for the energy sector. But copper is not on the U.S. Geological Survey’s list, because it does not degrade in reprocessing, more than 30 percent of domestic consumption comes from recycled scrap, and the supply chain is not geopolitically at risk.

Mining is needed for a clean energy transition, but poking random holes in a regulatory process that is based on factual and scientific assessments isn’t going to get us there any faster. There’s just no good reason for Congress to rush poorly conceived mining projects. If Congress overrides the U.S. Geological Survey’s factual determinations, certainly there would be more expedited permitting for domestic copper mines. But the potential supply chain benefits of domestically mining more copper are marginal. And such fast-tracking would put towns and homes on the front lines of mining and the environment at great risk.

[trendingnowlive]

Mining in Australia

Opening the Door for a Green Revolution: Australia Releases the Critical Minerals Prospectus

https://trending-now-live.blogspot.com/2024/02/australia-mining-critical-minerals-green-energy.html

[batteryrecyclingcompany]

The Future of Sustainable Mobility: Lithium Battery Reusing and Recycling

In the face of growing concerns about climate change, the global shift towards electric vehicles (EVs) and renewable energy systems is not just a trend but a necessity. Central to this transformation are lithium-ion batteries, which power everything from EVs to smartphones and energy storage systems. However, as the demand for these batteries increases, the need for a sustainable solution to manage their lifecycle becomes increasingly urgent. One of the most promising paths forward is lithium battery reusing and recycling.

The Surge in Electric Vehicle Adoption

The transition to electric mobility is happening at a rapid pace. By 2030, the global electric vehicle market is expected to reach 54 million vehicles annually, and with it, the demand for lithium-ion batteries is set to skyrocket. The rise of EVs and renewable energy storage systems has fueled a new era of electrified mobility, powered by the rapidly advancing technology of lithium-ion batteries. Yet, as electric vehicle adoption grows, so too does the challenge of managing the environmental impact of retiring batteries.

According to recent reports, over 2 million metric tons of lithium-ion batteries will be retired annually by 2030, with half a million electric vehicles reaching their end-of-life every year. With these figures in mind, it’s clear that a sustainable approach to lithium battery reusing and recycling will be essential to meet future demand without further depleting valuable natural resources.

The Role of Recycling in a Sustainable Future

Currently, most lithium-ion batteries are disposed of after use, with only a small percentage being recycled. While recycling processes such as pyrometallurgical (smelting) and hydrometallurgical (chemical) techniques are in place, they are expensive, energy-intensive, and often ineffective at fully recovering valuable materials. More sustainable solutions are needed to improve both the efficiency and environmental impact of recycling processes.

One exciting area of development is direct recycling, which focuses on reusing the cathode material without fully breaking it down. This innovative approach allows for the recovery of high-value minerals like cobalt, nickel, and lithium, while also preserving the structural integrity of the cathode. Not only does this method reduce energy consumption, but it also prevents the loss of valuable materials in the recycling process, which is crucial for maintaining supply chain stability as demand for these minerals increases.

Researchers have found that recycled cathode materials perform just as well, if not better, than their newly mined counterparts. In fact, studies show that batteries made with recycled cathode materials charge faster and have longer lifespans than those made with fresh materials. This highlights the potential for Recycled Li-ion battery materials to become a mainstay in the manufacturing of next-generation batteries.

Closing the Loop: Economic and Environmental Impact

Recycling not only supports the electrification of transportation but also has the potential to reduce environmental impacts and supply chain dependencies. A major concern in the current lithium-ion battery supply chain is the extraction of critical minerals, such as cobalt, which is often associated with human rights violations and environmental degradation. The ability to recycle these materials locally reduces reliance on new mining operations, many of which are located in regions plagued by ethical and environmental issues.

In fact, more than 60% of the world’s cobalt supply comes from the Democratic Republic of Congo, where mining operations are often linked to armed conflict and unsafe working conditions. The need for more sustainable and ethical sourcing of these minerals is paramount, and recycling provides a potential solution. By incorporating Recycled Li-ion battery materials into the manufacturing process, we can help reduce the demand for new mining operations, ensuring a more sustainable and equitable future for all.

The Path Forward

To achieve a circular economy for lithium-ion batteries, we must address the barriers to widespread recycling and material recovery. One key challenge is the high cost of recycling and the difficulty in recovering materials efficiently. However, as technology advances and economies of scale take hold, the cost of recycling is expected to decrease, making it a more viable option for businesses and consumers alike.

Furthermore, policy initiatives are critical in driving the transition towards a more sustainable and circular battery economy. Governments around the world are beginning to develop policies to ensure that batteries are recycled or reused at the end of their life cycle. In California, for example, there are ongoing efforts to ensure that 100% of electric vehicle batteries are recycled or repurposed once they reach their end-of-life.

As demand for electric vehicles and energy storage systems continues to grow, the need for effective lithium battery reusing and recycling will only become more pressing. Through technological innovation and strong policy support, we can close the loop on battery materials and ensure that the next generation of batteries is not only more efficient but also more sustainable.

Conclusion

The future of electric vehicles and renewable energy storage depends on our ability to effectively recycle and reuse lithium-ion batteries. With the growing demand for these batteries, the importance of developing a robust recycling infrastructure cannot be overstated. By focusing on the recovery of high-value materials like cobalt, nickel, and lithium, and advancing methods for Recycled Li-ion battery materials, we can ensure that we meet future demand without sacrificing the planet’s resources.

At LOHUM, we are committed to leading the way in sustainable battery technology. Through innovation, research, and collaboration, we aim to revolutionize the recycling and reuse of lithium-ion batteries, creating a cleaner, greener, and more sustainable future for all.

Visit us at: Lithium-ion battery waste management rules

Originally published on: Medium

[nrspeculator]

America’s Import Reliance of Critical Minerals

America’s Import Reliance of Critical Minerals

https://elements.americas-import-reliance-of-critical-minerals-charted

[faultfalha]

When the prime minister of India urges critical minerals leaders to view control as a global responsibility, he speaks with the authority of a long and venerable history. India has always been a land of great natural resources, and its people have always understood the importance of holding on to what is theirs. The prime minister's words are a warning to the world that India will not be pushed around, and that it is ready and able to take whatever steps are necessary to secure its future.