#lithium mining growth

[mastergarryblogs]

Lithium Mining Market Report 2025 – Growth, Trends & Demand

Introduction

The global lithium mining market is undergoing rapid expansion, propelled by the surging demand for lithium-ion batteries in electric vehicles (EVs), renewable energy storage systems, and consumer electronics. Market projections estimate the industry will reach USD 18.6 billion by 2032, with a CAGR of 14.3% from 2024 to 2032. This growth is driven by the accelerating adoption of clean energy solutions, government policies supporting EV production, and advancements in battery technologies.

As lithium demand intensifies, the industry faces challenges such as limited high-grade lithium reserves, environmental concerns, and geopolitical risks. However, sustainable lithium extraction (SLE) technologies, including direct lithium extraction (DLE) and eco-friendly mining processes, present significant opportunities for innovation, ensuring long-term market stability.

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Lithium Mining Market Dynamics

Key Drivers

Expanding EV Market – The electric vehicle industry remains the largest consumer of lithium, with global automakers scaling up production to meet carbon neutrality goals.

Renewable Energy Storage – Grid-scale battery storage projects are growing, increasing lithium demand for stabilizing intermittent renewable energy sources.

Government Policies & Investments – Countries worldwide are implementing policies that favor lithium mining and EV battery production.

Technological Advancements – Innovations in lithium extraction and battery recycling are optimizing resource utilization and sustainability.

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Lithium Mining Market Challenges

Geopolitical Risks – Trade tensions and regional instabilities impact lithium supply chains.

Environmental Concerns – Water-intensive mining practices in regions with scarce water resources raise sustainability issues.

Price Volatility – Fluctuating lithium prices due to supply-demand imbalances affect market stability.

Lithium Mining Market Opportunities

Development of Sustainable Lithium Extraction (SLE) – Reducing water usage and carbon footprint in lithium mining.

Battery Recycling Technologies – Circular economy initiatives focusing on recovering lithium from used batteries.

Geographical Diversification – New lithium mining projects in Africa, Canada, and South America reducing reliance on dominant suppliers.

Lithium Mining Market Segmentation Analysis

By Source

Brine Deposits – The largest contributor to the lithium supply, particularly in South America’s "Lithium Triangle" (Argentina, Bolivia, Chile).

Hard Rock (Spodumene) Deposits – Dominant in Australia and Canada, expected to grow at a CAGR of 15.7% due to increasing demand for high-purity lithium.

Clay Deposits – Emerging as a future source with advancing extraction technologies improving commercial viability.

By Extraction Method

Conventional Mining – Primarily used for spodumene extraction, dominant in Australia.

Evaporation Process – Common for South American brine deposits but under scrutiny for high water usage.

Direct Lithium Extraction (DLE) – Expected to grow at CAGR 18.3%, reducing environmental impact and enhancing extraction efficiency.

By Application

Batteries – The dominant application, driven by EVs and renewable energy storage.

Glass & Ceramics – Lithium enhances durability and thermal resistance in industrial applications.

Lubricants & Greases – Used in aerospace and industrial machinery for high-performance lubrication.

By End-Use Industry

Automotive (EVs) – Largest end-user, accounting for 60.5% of global lithium demand.

Energy Storage – Fastest-growing segment, projected to grow at a CAGR of 17.4%.

Consumer Electronics – Lithium-ion batteries power smartphones, laptops, and other devices.

By Distribution Channel

Direct Sales – Lithium producers secure long-term agreements with battery manufacturers.

Distributors & Traders – Facilitating supply to multiple industrial sectors.

Online Sales & E-commerce – Emerging as a niche channel with CAGR 12.6% growth.

Regional Outlook

Asia-Pacific – Dominates with a 45.4% market share, led by China’s battery manufacturing and lithium refining capacity.

South America – Rich in brine deposits, playing a crucial role in the lithium supply chain.

North America – Growing mining projects in the U.S. and Canada aimed at reducing reliance on imports.

Europe – Accelerating EV adoption and battery gigafactories drive lithium demand.

Middle East & Africa – Emerging as a new lithium mining region, with significant potential in Zimbabwe and Namibia.

Competitive Landscape

The global lithium mining market is highly competitive, with key players focusing on capacity expansion, technological innovation, and strategic partnerships.

Lithium Mining Market Leading Companies

Albemarle Corporation

Sociedad Química y Minera de Chile (SQM)

Pilbara Minerals

Ganfeng Lithium

Tianqi Lithium

Rio Tinto

Lithium Americas Corp.

Recent Developments

Albemarle Corporation – Announced expansion plans in Chile and Australia to boost lithium hydroxide production.

Pilbara Minerals & Ganfeng Lithium – Joint venture for a new lithium conversion facility in China.

Rio Tinto – Investing $2.4 billion in Argentina’s Rincon lithium project, utilizing DLE technology.

Future Trends & Innovations

Sustainable Lithium Extraction (SLE)

The industry is shifting towards eco-friendly extraction processes to minimize water and chemical usage. Direct Lithium Extraction (DLE) is emerging as a game-changing method.

Battery Recycling & Circular Economy

With lithium supply constraints, battery recycling is becoming crucial. Companies are investing in advanced recovery technologies to reclaim lithium from used batteries and industrial waste.

Regional Expansion & Diversification

New mining projects across Africa and North America aim to diversify global lithium supply, reducing dependency on a few key players.

Conclusion

The global lithium mining market is poised for substantial growth, driven by rising demand for EVs, renewable energy storage, and consumer electronics. While challenges such as price volatility, environmental concerns, and supply chain disruptions persist, advancements in sustainable extraction technologies, battery recycling, and regional diversification offer lucrative growth opportunities.

Companies investing in direct lithium extraction (DLE), strategic partnerships, and sustainable mining practices will lead the next wave of industry transformation. With government policies favoring clean energy and the expansion of battery manufacturing capacities, the lithium mining sector is set to thrive in the coming decade.

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[reasonsforhope]

Green energy is in its heyday. 

Renewable energy sources now account for 22% of the nation’s electricity, and solar has skyrocketed eight times over in the last decade. This spring in California, wind, water, and solar power energy sources exceeded expectations, accounting for an average of 61.5 percent of the state's electricity demand across 52 days. 

But green energy has a lithium problem. Lithium batteries control more than 90% of the global grid battery storage market. 

That’s not just cell phones, laptops, electric toothbrushes, and tools. Scooters, e-bikes, hybrids, and electric vehicles all rely on rechargeable lithium batteries to get going. 

Fortunately, this past week, Natron Energy launched its first-ever commercial-scale production of sodium-ion batteries in the U.S. 

“Sodium-ion batteries offer a unique alternative to lithium-ion, with higher power, faster recharge, longer lifecycle and a completely safe and stable chemistry,” said Colin Wessells — Natron Founder and Co-CEO — at the kick-off event in Michigan. 

The new sodium-ion batteries charge and discharge at rates 10 times faster than lithium-ion, with an estimated lifespan of 50,000 cycles.

Wessells said that using sodium as a primary mineral alternative eliminates industry-wide issues of worker negligence, geopolitical disruption, and the “questionable environmental impacts” inextricably linked to lithium mining. 

“The electrification of our economy is dependent on the development and production of new, innovative energy storage solutions,” Wessells said. 

Why are sodium batteries a better alternative to lithium?

The birth and death cycle of lithium is shadowed in environmental destruction. The process of extracting lithium pollutes the water, air, and soil, and when it’s eventually discarded, the flammable batteries are prone to bursting into flames and burning out in landfills. 

There’s also a human cost. Lithium-ion materials like cobalt and nickel are not only harder to source and procure, but their supply chains are also overwhelmingly attributed to hazardous working conditions and child labor law violations. 

Sodium, on the other hand, is estimated to be 1,000 times more abundant in the earth’s crust than lithium. 

“Unlike lithium, sodium can be produced from an abundant material: salt,” engineer Casey Crownhart wrote ​​in the MIT Technology Review. “Because the raw ingredients are cheap and widely available, there’s potential for sodium-ion batteries to be significantly less expensive than their lithium-ion counterparts if more companies start making more of them.”

What will these batteries be used for?

Right now, Natron has its focus set on AI models and data storage centers, which consume hefty amounts of energy. In 2023, the MIT Technology Review reported that one AI model can emit more than 626,00 pounds of carbon dioxide equivalent. 

“We expect our battery solutions will be used to power the explosive growth in data centers used for Artificial Intelligence,” said Wendell Brooks, co-CEO of Natron. 

“With the start of commercial-scale production here in Michigan, we are well-positioned to capitalize on the growing demand for efficient, safe, and reliable battery energy storage.”

The fast-charging energy alternative also has limitless potential on a consumer level, and Natron is eying telecommunications and EV fast-charging once it begins servicing AI data storage centers in June. 

On a larger scale, sodium-ion batteries could radically change the manufacturing and production sectors — from housing energy to lower electricity costs in warehouses, to charging backup stations and powering electric vehicles, trucks, forklifts, and so on. 

“I founded Natron because we saw climate change as the defining problem of our time,” Wessells said. “We believe batteries have a role to play.”

-via GoodGoodGood, May 3, 2024

--

Note: I wanted to make sure this was legit (scientifically and in general), and I'm happy to report that it really is! x, x, x, x

[wumblr]

there's this cruel irony of imperialism -- obviously many of them -- and there's a good chance somebody is going to call me either shortsighted, highfalutin, ungrounded, or reaching for saying this, but i've been thinking about the networked effects of extracted resources. first it was spice colonialism, then the spices all turned out to be too aphrodisiac and this eventually led to the industrialization of cornflakes

they used to construct elaborate fictions for conflict minerals, this item is unbelievably valuable and the only appropriate use for it is to commemorate a lifelong, monogamous and reproductive relationship (diamonds). now the conflict mineral (lithium) is an unnecessary substitute for an herb (tobacco) and it has become disposable

the nature and progression of imperialism requires continual growth and this means the conflict minerals can't maintain their value, they turn from precious heirloom jewelry to litter, simply because litter is less rare and so more profitable. first they had to mine the raw metals to build out an electrical grid, and then the materials to build roads and cars, and now that the grid requires baseload batteries parked in your garage we're throwing lithium on the ground. plastics have an irrevocable hold on the market simply because they're petroleum byproducts

cities could never have become as large as they did without the development of firefighting and now the baseload batteries are inextinguishable. progress of ever-smaller fragmentation for profit leads to contradiction. the city cannot move forward without the conflict mineral battery, but it can't put the fire out and it can't stop throwing them away, ostensibly to suppress use of an herb, once medicinal, now an adulterated vice. because adulterating it not only increases the rate of cancer but attributes it to personal choice, which is necessary, because otherwise it would be more attributable to the materials that keep the system running (uranium). it's incredible

the state with the lowest rate of cancer is downwind of the test site, because it's populated by yet another extremist christian wing of imperial progress, so extreme that they don't smoke or drink, because these personal choices have an outsized influence in comparison to the global contamination that the development of the bomb caused. a bit of the money made from the extraction of resources is put towards repayment for citizens of the imperial core, for exposure to the product that created their way of life, but the program expires and nobody cares because they seem to think it didn't affect them

anyway somebody threw a whole clock radio in my garden. i took the battery and now i can't do anything with it unless i want to figure out where to take it to be recycled. holding this blue plastic-wrapped cylinder of fire risk conflict mineral in my little hand and ruminating on it. do you think it traveled further than i have to get to me? i should never have left it sitting next to my keys i've been glancing at it in passing every day for weeks. of course you're not supposed to throw them on the ground, but i've already criticized the abdication of responsibility by corporations for the waste their products become. makes it into another issue of personal choice when they wouldn't have existed if they hadn't been industrialized

[rjzimmerman]

Excerpt from this story from Nation of Change:

China’s largest automaker, BYD, is selling its Dolphin hatchback EV for a low-low $15,000, complete with a 13-inch rotating screen, ventilated front seats, and a 260-mile range. Here in the U.S., you have to pay more than twice that price for the Tesla Model 3 EV ($39,000) with lower tech and only 10 more miles of driving range. In case $15K beats your budget, the Dolphin has a plug-in hybrid version with an industry-leading 74-mile range on a single charge for only $11,000 and an upgrade with an unbeatable combined gas-electric range of 1,300 miles. Not surprisingly, EVs surged to 52% of all auto sales in China last year. And with such a strong domestic springboard into the world market, Chinese companies accounted for more than 70% of global EV sales.

It’s time to face reality in the world of cars and light trucks. Let’s admit it, China’s visionary industrial policy is the source of its growing dominance over global EV production. Back in 2009-2010, three years before Elon Musk sold his first mass-production Tesla, Beijing decided to accelerate the growth of its domestic auto industry, including cheap, all-electric vehicles with short ranges for its city drivers. Realizing that an EV is just a steel box with a battery, and battery quality determines car quality, Beijing set about systematically creating a vertical monopoly for those batteries — from raw materials like lithium and cobalt from the Congo all the way to cutting-edge factories for the final product. With its chokehold on refining all the essential raw materials for EV batteries (cobalt, graphite, lithium, and nickel), by 2023-2024 China accounted for well over 80% of global sales of battery components and nearly two-thirds of all finished EV batteries.

Clearly, new technology is driving our automotive future, and it’s increasingly clear that China is in the driver’s seat, ready to run over the auto industries of the U.S. and the European Union like so much roadkill. Indeed, Beijing switched to the export of autos, particularly EVs, to kick-start its slumbering economy in the aftermath of the Covid lockdown.

Given that it was already the world’s industrial powerhouse, China’s auto industry was more than ready for the challenge. After robotic factories there assemble complete cars, hands-free, from metal stamping to spray painting for less than the cost of a top-end refrigerator in the U.S., Chinese companies pop in their low-cost batteries and head to one of the country’s fully automated shipping ports. There, instead of relying on commercial carriers, leading automaker BYD cut costs to the bone by launching its own fleet of eight enormous ocean-going freighters. It started in January 2024 with the BYD Explorer No. 1, capable of carrying 7,000 vehicles anywhere in the world, custom-designed for speedy drive-on, drive-off delivery. That same month, another major Chinese company you’ve undoubtedly never heard of, SAIC Motor, launched an even larger freighter, which regularly transports 7,600 cars to global markets.

Those cars are already heading for Europe, where BYD’s Dolphin has won a “5-Star Euro Safety Rating” and its dealerships are popping up like mushrooms in a mine shaft. In a matter of months, Chinese cars had captured 11% of the European market. Last year, BYD began planning its first factory in Mexico as an “export hub” for the American market and is already building billion-dollar factories in Turkey, Thailand, and Indonesia. Realizing that “20% to 30%” of his company’s revenue is at risk, Ford CEO Jim Farley says his plants are switching to low-cost EVs to keep up. After the looming competition led GM to bring back its low-cost Chevy Bolt EV, company Vice President Kurt Kelty said that GM will “drive the cost of E.V.s to lower than internal combustion engine vehicles.”

So, what does all this mean for America? In the past four years, the Biden administration made real strides in protecting the future of the country’s auto industry, which is headed toward ensuring that American motorists will be driving $10,000 EVs with a 1,000-mile range, a 10-year warranty, a running cost of 10 cents a mile, and 0 (yes zero!) climate-killing carbon emissions.

Not only did President Biden extend the critical $7,500 tax credit for the purchase of an American-made EV, but his 2021 Infrastructure Act helped raise the number of public-charging ports to a reasonable 192,000, with 1,000 more still being added weekly, reducing the range anxiety that troubles half of all American car owners. To cut the cost of the electricity needed to drive those car chargers, his 2022 Inflation Reduction Act allocated $370 billion to accelerate the transition to low-cost green energy. With such support, U.S. EV sales jumped 7% to a record 1.3 million units in 2024.

Most important of all, that funding stimulated research for a next-generation solid-state battery that could break China’s present stranglehold over most of the components needed to produce the current lithium-ion EV batteries. The solution: a blindingly simple bit of all-American innovation — don’t use any of those made-in-China components. With investment help from Volkswagen, the U.S. firm QuantumScape has recently developed a prototype for a solid-state battery that can reach “80% state of charge in less than 15 minutes,” while ensuring “improved safety,” extended battery life, and a driving range of 500 miles. Already, investment advisors are touting the company as the next Nvidia.

But wait a grim moment! If we take President Donald Trump at his word, his policies will slam the brakes on any such gains for the next four years — just long enough to potentially send the Detroit auto industry into a death spiral. On the campaign trail last year, Trump asked oil industry executives for a billion dollars in “campaign cash,” and told the Republican convention that he would “end the electrical vehicle mandate on day one” and thereby save “the U.S. auto industry from complete obliteration.” And in his victory speech last November, he celebrated the country’s oil reserves, saying, “We have more liquid gold than anyone else in the world.”

[obsessioncollector]

To this day, new raw materials spring forth from Congo, seemingly like magic, to feed each new “stage” of capitalist growth and empire building in the Global North (from the ivory in piano keys to the rubber in tires to the uranium in the bombs dropped on Hiroshima and Nagasaki to the copper and tin in electronic goods to the coltan in mobile phones to the cobalt in “green” lithium ion batteries).

James H. Smith, prologue to The Eyes of the World: Mining the Digital Age in the Eastern DR Congo

[avidtrader]

Penny Stock Primed For Massive Growth As Demand Skyrockets!

Penny Stock Primed For Massive Growth As Demand Skyrockets! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8leKGgVGKok This lithium stock is positioned to EXPLODE as EV demand surges. Atlas Lithium Corporation (ATLX) holds Brazil's largest lithium exploration portfolio. With a state-of-the-art processing plant arriving in Brazil and Warren Buffett's Berkshire Hathaway as top shareholder, ATLX is primed for massive growth. Wall Street analysts project up to 669% upside for this lithium mining stock with price targets from $19 all the way up to $45. ✅ Subscribe To My Channel For More Videos: https://www.youtube.com/@AvidTrader/?sub_confirmation=1 ✅ Stay Connected With Me: 👉 (X)Twitter: https://twitter.com/RealAvidTrader 👉 Stocktwits: https://ift.tt/AvfGwbP 👉 Instagram: https://ift.tt/quWfMlY ============================== ✅ Other Videos You Might Be Interested In Watching: 👉 Why 2024 Was My BEST YEAR EVER And How 2025 Will Be Even Better! https://youtu.be/JBpA0YX9tQM 👉 Will This Penny Stock SURGE After Huge Partnership News With AT&T? https://youtu.be/8N9lMRLC8f0 👉 This Stock Can Explode in 2025: Here's Why!! https://youtu.be/XZsI7a6vn1Y 👉 Haters LAUGHED When We Alerted This 10X Stock! https://youtu.be/hMpNn6eGPeY ============================= ✅ About AvidTrader: Value Investor. Discussing Day & Swing Trades Also Long Term Investments! Stock Breakdowns. Grow Your Trading Account Effectively. Technical Analysis and Pattern Recognition. How to Make Money, But More Importantly Learning & Having Fun in The Process! Avid Trader is not a Series 7 licensed investment professional, but a digital marketing manager/content creator to publicly traded and privately held companies. Avid Trader receives compensation from its clients in the form of cash and restricted securities for consulting services. 🔔 Subscribe to my channel for more videos: https://www.youtube.com/@AvidTrader/?sub_confirmation=1 ===================== Chapters: 0:00 Lithium Overview 1:59 ATLX 3:59 Reasons for Optimism 5:01 Price Targets and Analysis #swingtrading #stockstobuy #microcapstocks Disclaimer: Avid Trader is not a Series 7 licensed investment professional, but a digital marketing manager/content creator to publicly traded and privately held companies. This is not financial advice. Investments involve risk and are not guaranteed. Be sure to first consult with a qualified financial adviser and/or tax professional before implementing any strategy discussed herein. Past performance is not indicative of future performance. AvidTrader has been compensated one thousand five hundred dollars USD by ACH Bank Transfer by Sideways Frequency LLC for advertising Atlas Lithium Corp (ATLX). As of the date of this advertisement, the owners of AvidTrader do not hold a position in Atlas Lithium Corp (ATLX). This advertisement and other marketing efforts may increase investor and market awareness, which may result in an increased number of shareholders owning and trading the securities of Atlas Lithium Corp (ATLX), increased trading volume, and possibly an increased share price of Atlas Lithium Corp (ATLX), which may or may not be temporary and decrease once the marketing arrangement has ended. Copyright Disclaimer: Under Section 107 of the Copyright Act 1976, allowance is made for "fair use" for purposes such as criticism, comment, news reporting, teaching, scholarship and research. Fair use is a use permitted by copyright statute that might otherwise be infringing. Non-profit, educational or personal use tips the balance in favor of fair use © AvidTrader via AvidTrader https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCK_XU3FW-ffEK8BG5EisnNA April 22, 2025 at 06:00AM

[hasdrubal-gisco]

after some delay here’s my commentary on the draghi whitepaper. cut for length - 7min read

something that was nice to see mentioned, even though it was only a passing remark was that europe is an old money continent. as the report does, i will also contrast the EU with the US and china. in europe, money is largely managed by the state and large banks. the states are entrenched, and feel no pressure to maintain legitimacy, and have therefore allowed themselves tremendous inefficiency and poor results. massive amounts of public money are then handed over to semi-public companies (energy, construction, healthcare) with little to show. banks in europe on the other hand are incredibly conservative (heavy preference for government bonds and fx), and their lack of risk-taking is significantly stifling growth opportunities. for all the pro-social policies, the healthcare and unemployment and paid leave, european workers are further from capital than both their american and chinese counterparts. quickly for contrast, in the US much more money is put into the pocket of workers both in absolute and relative terms, and money put aside for retirement/long-term savings is spread out over a greater number of less large banks/other asset management companies (credit unions, unions, hedges, etc.). it’s an attitude problem which you probably cannot legislate your way out of. china manages money an entirely different way but with the same attitude as americans, and for exactly that reason, even though europe has the infrastructure set up for china-esque investment in development, it again lacks the attitude.

the cost of energy in the EU was already covered in the whitepaper, but it bears emphasis that this is entirely deliberate and self-inflicted. russia did not cut off the European natural gas supply, the EU did that of its own volition with the purported goal of hurting the Russian economy. the sanction package (including separate US and UK sanctions on russia) which forced the sale of assets from foreigners to russians at bargain prices due to short deadlines basically undid the privatization of the 90s – there are short term pains but this potentially sets up Russia for 50 years of growth as much less money is extracted out internationally. green energy incentives are a coat of paint on more government handouts going to the same energy companies as before to “support their pivot.”

to complain about resource dependence is also moronic of the EU to do – another thing that’s totally self-inflicted. an unwillingness to exploit your own resources is not the same as a lack of them. the reason the EU won’t extract its own resources is the same as it lost a lot of its industrial capability in the post-wwii consensus – profit seeking. more important than the lower cost basis of labor abroad, was the drastically lower risk of organized resistance, through either engagement in the political system or strike. by having production (either extraction or refinement) abroad, it protected the established businesses from having to compete with worker self-interest (which lead to the disappearance of worker self-interest as a political pursuit !). i think the lithium in serbia should be mined, as should the lithium in germany, the oil in romania, gallium in france and so on. The problem is that it’ll give mine and oil refinery workers an iota of bargaining power which they’d use to demand a raise in standards. uh oh ! as always, import is the benefit of trade, and export the cost of it. as soon as they stop being retarded about this, europe can easily hit its stride as it probably has the best labor force in the world – painfully underutilized. remember the criticism of capitalism is about its inefficiency, not that it’s mean.

regarding security, you either have to make a federal eu army or keep sovereign national armies – in either case the yoke of america has to be broken. would be very cool if there was some kind of late 19th/early 20th century multi-ethnic empire whose military structure could serve as inspiration for a hypothetical eu army. oh well ! obviously industrial capability to supply this is currently nothing. real 90s kids remember when europoids still made phones with companies like nokia and alcatel, who, surprise surprise had ties to defense technology. bring back the military-industrial complex.

in terms of industrial strategy – it has to be said europe’s industrial capability is not gone entirely. europe still makes the machines that make the machines, the auto/train/airplane industries are there, europe makes most of its own medication under its own licenses. notice how these are all 20th century industries – and as analog moves into digital, the glorious combustion engine becomes electromagnet, you run into things the eu does not but could make. the reason manufacture in china is so cheap is less to do with the cost of labor (which has risen dramatically over the last 25 years) but the already existing infrastructure for manufacture. if you wanted to make a piece of electronics (for example a combination pager-bomb) it is very likely you can find a manufacturer for the plastic casing, circuit boards, lcd screen, etc all within one city if not one industrial park, which drastically cuts your costs as it minimizes transport and storage for intermediate components. this is the benefit of economies of scale, this is the lauded efficiency of a planned economy, and this is what europe has denied itself.

to draghi’s innovation gap, and proposal for more centralized eu support for r&d – this would require the germans and german-derivatives at the ecb/eib/etc. to take some risks particularly in areas they wouldn’t look normally (ie east of berlin, actually east of hanover because even germany doesn’t invest in berlin/east germany). once again this is tied to the attitudes of capital markets, you must either spread it out wider between competing entities (US) or hard five-year-plans and an iron gut (china).

digitalization would help immensely, every state in europe would benefit hugely from cutting the number of government employees in half, and drastically lowering their average age. keep the spending the same and just double the salaries. It makes no sense to have 50-year-olds who don’t know how to scan be bureaucrats and clerks. the 27-year-old polyamorous baristas of bratislava must be made to maintain debian databases.

the average company in europe is running american software on chinese hardware in order to make something stupid (designer handbags or shipping insurance) to sell to americans and the chinese. no reason for this to be the case.

[beardedmrbean]

ABUJA, Nigeria (AP) — The mining of minerals critical to electric vehicle batteries and other green technologies in Congo has led to human rights abuses, including forced evictions and physical assault, according to a new report from Amnesty International and another rights group.

Congo is by far the world’s largest producer of cobalt, a mineral used to make lithium-ion batteries for electric vehicles and other products, and it is also Africa’s top producer of copper, which is used in EVs, renewable energy systems and more.

Rights groups and U.S. officials have long criticized the trade of Congo’s cobalt, copper and other minerals due to abusive labor and the risk of violence in an impoverished central African country where militants control swaths of territory.

A measure was introduced in the U.S. House in July to ban imported products containing cobalt and copper and mined through child labor and other abusive conditions in Congo.

The report released Tuesday by Amnesty International and the Congo-based Initiative for Good Governance and Human Rights, or IBGDH, details how the search for the minerals has forcibly uprooted people from their homes and farmland, often without compensation or adequate resettlement.

The groups said they interviewed 133 people affected by evictions related to cobalt and copper mining in six locations around the city of Kolwezi in Lualaba Province during separate visits in February and September 2022. They also reviewed documents, photos, videos, satellite images and company responses.

The report highlights the numerous human rights violations that have occurred as a result of mining activity. In one case, Congolese soldiers burned down the Mukunbi settlement in the southern province of Lualaba in November 2016 to make way for cobalt and copper mining by Dubai-based Chemaf Resources. Residents who tried to stop the military were beaten, according to the report. The fire, which left a 2-year-old girl with life-altering scars, and the assault had followed initial warnings delivered to residents by company executives escorted by police.

“Ernest Miji, the local chief, said that in 2015, after Chemaf acquired the concession, three representatives of the company, accompanied by two police officers, came to tell him it was time for Mukumbi’s residents to move away. He said the representatives visited four more times,” the report said.

Following protests in 2019, Chemaf agreed to pay $1.5 million through local authorities, with some former residents receiving between $50 and $300, which the local advocacy group Coalition for Safeguarding of Human Rights called an undervaluation of victims’ properties.

Chemaf denied any wrongdoing, liability or involvement in the destruction of Mukumbi or directing military forces to destroy it, the company told Amnesty International.

On its website, Chemaf says the copper and cobalt project is at the heart of its ambitious growth and would consolidate its position as a leader in the production of those minerals.

The report also highlighted a neighborhood in Kolwezi, home to 39,000 people, that has been facing continuous demolitions since 2015 to make way for an open-pit copper and cobalt mine. The mine is operated by Compagnie Minière de Musonoie Global SAS, or COMMUS, a joint venture between Chinese company Zijin Mining and the state-owned Gecamines mining company.

Those who were forced out said they were not adequately consulted, while COMMUS said it aimed to improve its communications, according to the report.

The company asserted that it already has made compensation payments calculated by the provincial government’s relocation committee to ensure residents' quality of life was not affected.

“The compensation prices of COMMUS for housing and land were higher than market prices,” according to a letter that the company sent to the rights groups.

But the groups denied it was enough.

“Despite claims by the company that its compensation package was set to ensure living standards were not affected, none of the former residents of Cité Gécamines that researchers interviewed said that they were able to afford substitute housing with the same amenities as the houses that they were forced to leave,” the report said.

Donat Kambola, president of the IBGDH group that co-wrote the report, said in a statement that “people are being forcibly evicted, or threatened or intimidated into leaving their homes, or misled into consenting to derisory settlements. Often there was no grievance mechanism, accountability, or access to justice.”

Amnesty International says companies are not doing enough to address human rights concerns and are disregarding international human rights laws and standards, as well as national legislation and U.N. Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights.

As the world demands more green technologies to reduce climate-changing emissions, the extraction of minerals for these products is causing social and environmental harm, the group said.

“Amnesty International recognizes the vital function of rechargeable batteries in the energy transition from fossil fuels. But climate justice demands a just transition. Decarbonizing the global economy must not lead to further human rights violations,” it said.

[allthebrazilianpolitics]

Brazil seeks to combine lithium extraction and social development

Brazil aims to attract private companies involved in lithium extraction to Minas Gerais state’s Jequitinhonha Valley to support social programs and stimulate economic growth.

“Brazil has a fertile soil of opportunities and our Jequitinhonha has shown this, drawing the attention of the whole world with lithium, especially the green one,” mines and energy minister Alexandre Silveira (pictured, right) said in a statement after meeting Ana Cabral-Gardner (second from right), the CEO of Sigma Lithium which is developing the flagship Grota do Cirilo project in the region.

“We know that critical minerals will be fundamental for the energy transition, so we have to work on this Brazilian potential, reconciling public policies that generate important social returns and guarantee sustainability,” Silveira said.

Continue reading.

[reasonsforhope]

"Sodium-ion batteries for electric vehicles and energy storage are moving toward the mainstream. Wider use of these batteries could lead to lower costs, less fire risk and less need for lithium, cobalt and nickel.

On Nov. 18, CATL, the world’s largest battery manufacturer, announced its second-generation sodium-ion battery, mass production of which would begin in 2027. The China-based company said the new battery has an energy density of 200 watt-hours per kilogram, which is an increase from 160 watt-hours per kilogram for the previous generation that launched in 2021. Higher energy density in an EV battery translates into more driving range.

On Nov. 21, a consortium of seven U.S. national laboratories announced a new initiative in which they would spend $50 million to foster collaboration to accelerate the development of sodium-ion batteries. The partnership is led by Argonne National Laboratory in the Chicago area.

The two announcements are part of a larger shift as governments, researchers and companies look for alternatives to lithium-ion batteries, the dominant technology for EVs and energy storage.

For now, there are no passenger cars or trucks sold in the United States that use sodium-ion batteries. Some sodium-ion models are available in China and countries that import vehicles from China. 

“The reason we’re pursuing this is very simple,” said Venkat Srinivasan, a battery scientist at Argonne and the director of the new collaboration. “It’s because the huge demand in lithium-ion batteries has meant that we have a supply-chain constraint.

“We have a problem with cobalt. We have a problem with nickel,” he said, naming two of the metals often used in lithium-ion batteries.

Cobalt, nickel and lithium carry a variety of concerns, including the environmental damage of mining. [Note: Which is massive, and so are the human rights issues associated with lithium mining, which involves horrible conditions and is exacerbating conflict and civil wars in the Democratic Republic of Congo.] ...

In contrast, a sodium-ion battery relies on an element—sodium—that you can find in table salt and ocean water...

Also, a sodium-ion battery has much lower risk of fire. When lithium-ion batteries sustain damage, it can lead to “thermal runaway,” which triggers a dangerous and toxic fire.

The process of manufacturing sodium-ion batteries is similar to that of lithium-ion batteries, or at least similar enough that companies can shift existing assembly lines without having to spend heavily on retooling.

But sodium-ion batteries have some disadvantages. The big one is low energy density compared to lithium-ion. As a result, an EV running on a sodium-ion battery will go fewer miles per charge than a lithium-ion battery of the same size...

The national labs’ initiative has a five-year timeline, with a goal of developing sodium-ion batteries with energy densities that match or exceed those of today’s iron phosphate-based lithium-ion batteries. Researchers would do this by finding various efficiencies in design and materials.

The project is happening alongside the labs’ ongoing work to develop and improve other kinds of batteries.

Lithium-ion batteries dominate today’s market...

However, sodium-ion battery production is growing, and is projected to reach 140 gigawatt-hours by 2030, about 13 times its current level, according to Benchmark. Lithium-ion production also is projected to nearly triple by 2030.

“The key market driver for sodium-ion batteries is their potential to be cost competitive with lithium-ion batteries,” said Catherine Peake, an analyst for Benchmark...

Most of the push by battery companies to build sodium-ion systems is happening in China, but some of it is happening in other markets, including a plan by California-based Natron Energy to open its first large plant in Rocky Mount, North Carolina. Natron made its announcement about the $1.4 billion project in August and has not given a timeline for when the plant would be online.

Meanwhile, researchers and companies continue working on other battery technologies.

I asked Srinivasan how sodium-ion batteries fit into this larger picture. He said sodium-ion will likely gain market share over the next few years as an alternative to lithium-ion batteries.

Near the end of the decade, solid-state batteries will begin to become available, which would allow for higher energy densities and longer driving ranges. Solid-state batteries use a solid electrolyte instead of a liquid or gel. The electrolyte is the substance through which ions move as they go from side to side during charging and discharging.

The technologies can coexist in the market, Srinivasan said.

He thinks solid-state batteries will initially be most common in high-end models and popular with people who want the longest possible ranges.

He expects that sodium-ion batteries will be more common in low-cost EVs for people who live in cities or suburbs and don’t place a high premium on driving range.

“It will not be a fringe player,” he said, about sodium-ion. “It will actually be a fast-growing segment.”"

-via Inside Climate News, December 6, 2024

[eimearkuopio]

This actually helps because I'm painfully aware that often renewables aren't the silver bullet they're made out to be and I know things like lithium mining are locally horrific for ecosystems but will be intensified if we only focus on changing how we power things without also winding down our excessive growth and consumerism-based mindset... But at least solar is more renewable than I feared!

[news24-amit]

From Lab to Factory: PSA Market Grows With Industrial Standardization

The global Particle Size Analyzer Market was valued at USD 332.8 Mn in 2021 and is projected to reach USD 541.3 Mn by the end of 2031, growing at a CAGR of 5.2% from 2022 to 2031. Particle size analyzers (PSAs) play a critical role in quality control and product development across a variety of industries, including pharmaceuticals, mining, chemicals, food & beverages, and construction materials. The growing need to ensure product uniformity, performance, and safety is fueling demand for advanced particle size measurement technologies.

Market Drivers & Trends Several key factors are propelling market growth:

Increased adoption in pharmaceuticals and battery manufacturing is driving demand for PSAs to analyze powders, suspensions, and emulsions with high precision.

Technological advancements in techniques such as laser diffraction and nanoparticle tracking analysis (NTA) are enabling greater accuracy and faster analysis.

Booming lithium-ion battery market, especially due to electric vehicle (EV) proliferation, has created a need for precise control of cathode and anode material particle sizes.

Rise in nanotechnology awareness and applications has expanded PSA use in high-precision research and manufacturing.

In addition, regulatory compliance and the need for consistent product quality are driving companies to adopt particle size analysis as a standard practice.

Key Players and Industry Leaders The particle size analyzer industry is consolidated, with major players actively engaged in R&D, product innovation, and strategic partnerships to maintain their market position. Key companies include:

Anton Paar GmbH

Beckman Coulter, Inc

Bettersize Instruments Ltd.

Bühler Group

Fritsch GmbH

Horiba, Ltd.

Intertek Group plc

Mettler-Toledo International Inc.

Microtrac Retsch GmbH

Shimadzu Corporation

Sympatec GmbH

These players offer diverse portfolios spanning laser diffraction analyzers, DLS-based systems, and emerging technologies like NTA. Their market strategies include product expansion, mergers and acquisitions, and regional footprint enhancement.

Recent Developments

In February 2021, Horiba Ltd. established the HORIBA Institute for Particle Analysis in Japan to enhance development in airborne particle and nanomaterial analysis.

In June 2020, Fritsch GmbH launched the ANALYSETTE 22 NeXT Micro, a laser particle sizer with a wide measurement range (0.05–1500 µm), suitable for quality control and R&D.

Several companies are also integrating AI and automation into PSA devices for real-time monitoring and improved throughput.

Latest Market Trends

Nanoparticle Tracking Analysis (NTA) is gaining ground, especially in biotech and environmental science, due to its ability to detect nanoparticles in the 30–600 nm range.

Portable particle size analyzers are being developed for on-site analysis in sectors like mining and agriculture.

Integration with software platforms for real-time data analysis and remote monitoring is becoming common across manufacturing sectors.

The trend toward wet dispersion analysis continues due to its high accuracy in diverse liquid-based samples such as slurries and emulsions.

Market Opportunities

Rising pharmaceutical manufacturing in emerging markets, especially in India and China, presents a lucrative opportunity.

Increasing R&D in nanotechnology and biotechnology, backed by government and academic institutions, is creating demand for advanced PSA tools.

Growing investments in battery material R&D for energy storage and EVs will require reliable particle characterization solutions.

The use of PSAs in additive manufacturing (3D printing) for metal powders is also expanding rapidly.

Discover essential conclusions and data from our Report in this sample - https://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/sample/sample.php?flag=S&rep_id=15773

Future Outlook The particle size analyzer market is expected to witness consistent growth through 2031, driven by expanding applications in high-growth industries and technological enhancements. As precision and quality continue to be emphasized across global supply chains, the role of PSAs will become increasingly integral. Moreover, automation and AI integration will further streamline operations and make particle analysis more accessible and efficient.

Market Segmentation The market is segmented based on technology, dispersion type, and end-use industry:

By Technology:

Dynamic Image Analysis (DIA)

Static Image Analysis

Laser Diffraction

Dynamic Light Scattering (DLS)

Nanoparticle Tracking Analysis (NTA)

Others (e.g., Sieve Analysis, Centrifugal Sedimentation)

By Dispersion Type:

Wet Particle (most dominant and growing segment)

Dry Particle

Spray Particle

By End-use Industry:

Pharmaceutical

Food & Beverage

Building & Construction

Chemical

Metals & Mining

Agriculture & Forestry

Healthcare

Industrial

Others (e.g., Academia, Semiconductors)

Regional Insights Asia Pacific leads the global market with approximately 30% market share in 2021. Factors such as rapid industrialization, increasing R&D investments, and strong presence of manufacturing industries are driving this growth. China, India, Japan, and South Korea are key contributors.

North America follows closely, driven by a strong pharmaceutical base, rising demand for nanomaterials, and technological innovation. The U.S. remains a leader in high-end PSA adoption due to a large number of pharmaceutical, biotechnology, and electronics companies.

Europe also commands a substantial share, backed by environmental regulations and advancements in life sciences.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What is the market size of the Particle Size Analyzer industry? In 2021, the global market was valued at US$ 332.8 Mn, and it is projected to grow to US$ 541.3 Mn by 2031.

2. What is driving the growth of the PSA market? The growth is primarily driven by rising demand in pharmaceuticals, battery production, nanotechnology, and R&D across various sectors.

3. Which technology is gaining significant traction in the market? Nanoparticle Tracking Analysis (NTA) is one of the fastest-growing technologies due to its precision and applicability in advanced materials research.

4. Who are the major players in the market? Prominent companies include Anton Paar, Horiba, Mettler-Toledo, Shimadzu, and Microtrac Retsch, among others.

5. Which region dominates the market? Asia Pacific is the leading region, supported by large-scale manufacturing, R&D investments, and increasing adoption across industries.

6. What are the key applications of particle size analyzers? They are used in drug formulation, battery material analysis, food processing, construction materials, metal powders for 3D printing, and more.

7. How are particle size analyzers used in the pharmaceutical industry? They help in analyzing API particle sizes, ensuring proper drug dissolution, bioavailability, and formulation stability.

[marketresearchnews1242]

Brine Concentration Technology Market Outlook 2031: Energy Demands, Freshwater Shortages, and Zero Liquid Discharge Mandates Drive Market Growth Across Key Sectors

The global brine concentration technology market is undergoing a transformation fueled by a combination of rising global energy demands, growing water scarcity, and increasingly stringent environmental regulations. According to the latest industry data, the global market stood at US$ 14.0 Bn in 2022 and is poised to reach US$ 20.4 Bn by 2031, expanding at a CAGR of 4.3% during the forecast period from 2023 to 2031.

Rising Population and Energy Demand: A Core Market Catalyst

A significant driver of market expansion is the growing global population, which is intensifying energy demand. As traditional energy sources such as coal decline due to depleting reserves and environmental concerns, alternative energy sources—such as hydropower—are gaining traction. However, water plays a pivotal role in energy generation. Brine concentration technology has emerged as a critical enabler, helping to purify water, remove hazardous salts and chemicals, and make it suitable for reuse in power generation and industrial processes.

Industries now seek sustainable solutions for managing liquid waste, and brine concentration systems offer a viable path to achieve zero liquid discharge (ZLD)—a crucial step toward environmental compliance and resource efficiency.

Market Introduction: Why Brine Treatment Matters

Brine refers to a high-concentration solution of salt in water, often produced as a byproduct in processes such as:

These brines contain toxic elements and chemicals such as calcium sulfate, silica, hydrochloric acid, sodium hydroxide, and lithium derivatives. If discharged untreated, brine can severely damage ecosystems, pollute water bodies, and corrode infrastructure. Brine concentration technologies like reverse osmosis (RO), thermal evaporation, and vacuum membrane distillation are deployed to extract valuable minerals, purify water, and meet strict environmental mandates.

Smart Cities, Industrial Expansion, and Zero Liquid Discharge Fuel Adoption

The global trend toward smart infrastructure and industrialization is increasing the production of saline wastewater. Countries worldwide, especially in Asia and the Middle East, are enforcing strict regulations to minimize pollution and promote water reuse.

For example, China has actively cracked down on chemical facilities, including shutting down para-xylene plants, due to water discharge violations. In response, industries are increasingly deploying brine concentration technologies to treat high-salinity effluents before release or reuse.

The concept of Zero Liquid Discharge (ZLD) is becoming a regulatory necessity rather than a competitive advantage. ZLD systems are designed to:

ZLD adoption is growing rapidly in sectors such as oil & gas, textiles, refining, mining, and food & beverages.

Desalination Gains Momentum Amid Droughts and Water Scarcity

Water scarcity remains a pressing global issue, particularly in densely populated countries such as India and China. Frequent droughts, depleted groundwater levels, and polluted rivers are making freshwater desalination essential.

Brine concentration technologies enhance the efficiency of desalination plants by enabling the recovery of high-purity water while minimizing brine discharge. Technologies like HERO (High-Efficiency Reverse Osmosis) and MVC (Mechanical Vapor Compression) are playing a crucial role in reducing the environmental footprint of desalination and ensuring long-term water security.

Regional Insights: Asia Pacific Dominates, MEA and Latin America Emerge

According to market analysis, Asia Pacific held the largest share of the global brine concentration technology market in 2022, followed by North America and Europe. The region’s dominance is attributed to:

Countries such as China and India are investing heavily in industrial wastewater treatment facilities and desalination plants, accelerating regional market growth.

Meanwhile, Middle East & Africa (MEA) and Latin America are witnessing increased investments in oil exploration and mining operations, which generate high-salinity wastewater. These regions are expected to record substantial growth during the forecast period as environmental compliance becomes a central policy goal.

Market Challenges: High Installation Costs and Limited Access

Despite its many advantages, the high capital and operational costs associated with brine concentration technologies remain a major restraint, especially in developing economies. Technologies such as deep well injection, thermal evaporation, and advanced reverse osmosis systems require significant upfront investments and ongoing maintenance.

Moreover, many small and mid-sized companies face challenges in deploying full-scale ZLD systems due to technical complexity and cost barriers. Government subsidies, public-private partnerships, and modular, scalable treatment units could help address these challenges and unlock new market opportunities.

Competitive Landscape: Innovation and Partnerships Drive Growth

The global brine concentration technology market is highly competitive, with leading players focusing on innovation, partnerships, and acquisitions to expand their technological capabilities and market presence.

Key companies include:

Recent developments include:

Outlook: Sustainable Water Management Will Shape the Future

As the world moves toward a more sustainable future, water reuse, desalination, and zero liquid discharge will become foundational to industrial operations. Brine concentration technologies not only align with these goals but also unlock cost savings and regulatory compliance for industries.

With increasing pressure on freshwater resources, supportive regulations, and advancements in cost-effective treatment technologies, the brine concentration technology market is set for steady growth, positioning itself as a critical solution in the global shift toward sustainable industrial practices.

[stockupdates007]

Exploring Opportunities in the Australian Market: A Closer Look at the All Ordinaries Index and a Promising ASX Stock

The Australian share market has witnessed renewed interest as the broader benchmark, the all ordinaries today, continues its upward trajectory. This index, comprising over 500 of the largest companies listed on the Australian Securities Exchange (ASX), serves as a comprehensive barometer of the market’s health. Its recent movement offers insightful cues for investors who are looking to navigate market dynamics strategically, especially in sectors that are showing resilience and growth potential.

The All Ordinaries index represents a diverse cross-section of Australian equities, including heavyweights in finance, mining, healthcare, and technology. With the index inching higher, it reflects a broader positive sentiment across the ASX, buoyed by strong economic indicators, rising commodity prices, and a generally stable fiscal outlook. As investor confidence grows, opportunities are emerging across multiple sectors—each carrying its own set of risks and rewards.

In this context, stock selection becomes critical. While riding the broader wave of the index’s gains can be rewarding, identifying specific stocks that demonstrate strong fundamentals and favorable technical patterns can significantly enhance portfolio returns. One such opportunity highlighted in the recent Kalkine article is an ASX-listed company showing robust performance in its niche. The company's financial health, earnings outlook, and recent operational developments indicate potential for upward price movement. This makes it an interesting candidate for investors seeking value and momentum at the current market levels.

The importance of timing and valuation cannot be overstated when investing in an index-linked environment. When the All Ordinaries index moves upward, it often leads to sectoral rotation, where capital flows from overbought to undervalued sectors. Savvy investors look for these rotations to pick up high-quality stocks that might be temporarily undervalued. The recent uptrend in the index suggests that this might be an opportune moment to reassess portfolios and identify stocks that align with emerging market themes.

What sets this particular ASX-listed stock apart is not just its growth potential, but also its ability to withstand broader macroeconomic headwinds. With inflation showing signs of stabilizing and the Reserve Bank of Australia maintaining a cautious stance on interest rates, companies with strong cash flows, solid dividend yields, and prudent cost management are well-positioned to outperform. The featured stock, as discussed in the article, fits these criteria, offering a blend of growth and stability.

Another critical factor to consider is investor sentiment and technical indicators. As the All Ordinaries index makes modest gains, it's supported by improving market breadth and trading volumes—both considered healthy signs of a sustainable rally. The mentioned ASX stock appears to be benefiting from this environment, showing constructive price action and technical support levels that suggest bullish momentum. Investors using technical analysis may find these signals encouraging for initiating or adding to positions.

Additionally, global market dynamics continue to play a role in shaping the performance of the All Ordinaries index. Developments in commodity prices, particularly iron ore, coal, and lithium—which are vital to the Australian economy—can have a substantial impact. Any positive trends in these markets generally bode well for related ASX-listed companies, creating tailwinds for the index and potential upside for targeted stock picks.

The current upward movement in the All Ordinaries index presents a compelling backdrop for investors to re-engage with the Australian share market. By focusing on fundamentally sound stocks with strong growth potential, such as the one featured in the linked analysis, investors can position themselves to benefit from both market-wide gains and company-specific catalysts. As always, due diligence, diversification, and a clear investment thesis remain key to navigating this evolving landscape.