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Government support for energy transition infrastructure has quickly become an important piece of the financing mix – as we were reminded of last week with the news of the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE)’s $2.26bn loan facility for Lithium Americas Corp. Thacker Pass lithium development in Nevada.   Most western gov’ts have now put in place grant and loan funding to help the private sector develop onshore infrastructure that has traditionally existed in China, but the US has been one of the most proactive to deploy public funds.   Interestingly, these DOE funds cannot be used for the actual mining of the lithium – only to build the downstream processing facilities that will produce battery grade lithium. However the funding of upstream exploration and development of resources essential to supply these downstream projects is chronically under-funded and in need of new funding sources as well.   Understanding the future direction of government policy has become an increasingly important aspect of investing in the energy transition – which is why we are very pleased to have Ashley Zumwalt-Forbes Deputy Director for Batteries & Critical Minerals at the US Dept of Energy addressing the Tribeca Future Facing Commodities Conference here in Singapore next week. #energy #lithium #invest #singapore https://lnkd.in/g8aK9RCg

Lithium Universe (ASX:LU7) (OTC:ESMAF) has shaken hands on an option to buy land in #Quebec for its proposed #Lithium #Refinery in #Canada to supply lithium product to #NorthAmerica and the West’s #EV #Batteries market. The company has plans to build a refinery on the industrial park site, with Lithium Universe Chairman Iggy Tan describing the #Becancour land near Ford Motor Company and General Motors as a key landholding in the North American EV batteries jurisdiction that gave #LU7 an ability to expand. “This is just another positive step forward for the company as we secure this key landholding in the most attractive emerging battery-focused jurisdiction,” Mr Tan said of the potential Québec Lithium Processing Hub acquisition. The #WesternAustralian company can pick up lot 22 at #BécancourWaterfrontIndustrialPark site from Société du parc industriel et portuaire de Bécancour for C$12.6 million (A$14.1 million) in the next three years, if regulators and shareholders agree. Alex Hanly Terry Stark Roger Pover Amanda Ellis Stewart Walters Jack Baker Sabina Virgo #ASX #Mining #CriticalMinerals #LithiumConversion #LithiumBatteries #ElectricVehicles https://lnkd.in/grqKtR5j

It's great to start to see more support for critical minerals over the last several months. It's always been easy to assume someone else will handle the complex and critical task of getting low-cost inputs for the energy transition. Canada Nickel Company Northern Graphite Corp Focusing on these inputs earlier, and innovating, reduces costs Lower costs always accelerate adoption at the consumer level https://lnkd.in/ez9FaExS

✅ Several new coal mines and projects in Australia are either planned or under development, reflecting the ongoing activity in the sector despite challenges related to environmental concerns and financing. ✅ In New South Wales (NSW), notable developments include: ✴ Glendell Coal Mine (Glencore): Undergoing expansion with potential high output. ✴ Hunter Valley Operations: Both the North and South sections are undergoing developments, with significant lifetime emissions anticipated. ✴ Narrabri Underground Mine (Whitehaven Coal): A major underground project. In Queensland, significant projects include: ✴ Caval Ridge Mine: A large-scale expansion by BHP Mitsubishi Alliance. ✴ Isaac River Coal Mine: A newer coking coal project by Bowen Coking Coal Ltd. ✴ Baralaba South Coal Mine: Under development in Central Queensland. ✴ Lake Vermont Coal Mine: A major player in the Bowen Basin with ongoing productivity enhancements. These projects reflect Australia’s continued investment in coal despite shifts towards renewable energy(Mining Technology)(The Australia Institute).

South Australian Budget 2024/25 📊 One of few highlights for the resource sector in the Government of South Australia's 2024/25 Budget is the $3.6 million over 2 years to support Green Iron and Steel plans. This builds on recent supply chain studies showing a 21% advantage to produce Green Iron in South Australia. Other key announcements include: • $1.7 million for the Whyalla steelworks • $15.4 million for an acid drainage treatment plant at legacy mine Brukunga • $4.1 million for new hydrogen and renewable energy legislative program These initiatives aside, there was little in the budget to address major industry requests. AMEC has long requested additional funding to better resource the Department for Energy and Mining, South Australia, little has been forthcoming. The Government also remains silent on the $10m funding in the 2022-23 budget for the highly successful Accelerated Discovery Initiative. The delay in funding comes at a time when SA has dropped its global investment attraction ranking to 19th position, after maintaining a Top 10 ranking for over a decade. AMEC Chief Executive Warren Pearce said, “This lack of government investment will have a knock-on effect for the junior explorers who are already doing more with less, as capital raising and inflationary pressures are also biting their businesses.” Read the full release 👉 https://ow.ly/CEiQ50SaxuR 📸 Courtesy Thor Energy's Alford Copper Gold Project in SA #DEM #DTI #MinisterKoutsantonis #copper #gold # silver #iron ore #uranium #criticalminerals #mineralexploration

Wilkie Creek coal mine into administration - BRI administrators have been appointed to the Wilkie Creek coal mine operation. - Some of New Wilkie Energy’s underlying companies have gone into administration. - Sources indicate a dispute with an investor has triggered boardroom upheaval. - Initial inquiries indicate that there may be a viable business remaining to save or restructure. The Wilkie Creek coal mine in Queensland, which had only been operational for eight months, has entered administration due to financial difficulties and boardroom conflicts. The mine, overseen by New Wilkie Energy Group, was restarted last April with a vision to balance coal operations with renewable energy projects. However, the venture faced hurdles with falling thermal coal prices and internal strife, leading to the appointment of BRI Ferrier administrators. Despite these challenges, the administrators remain optimistic about finding viable business solutions, including potential sales or debt restructuring. This development highlights the dynamic and challenging nature of the energy sector, especially for ventures attempting to integrate traditional and renewable energy sources. (Source: FinReview) #viablebusiness #queensland #coalmine #energyprojects #australia #coal #administration #operation #EnergySector #CorporateGovernance #FinancialManagement #BoardroomDynamics #MiningIndustry #AustralianBusiness #EconomicChallenges https://loom.ly/uSY1G9I

Today we launch the Electric Mine Consortium’s Decarbonisation Roadmap, a collaborative piece of work which draws on learnings from interviews, workshops and public research to outline the path towards an electrified, decarbonised mine. It introduces best practices in mine electrification, provides an overview of the milestones needed to accelerate an example Australian underground mine to Net Zero by 2035, and suggests initiatives that could drive the industry towards an electrified future. The Electric Mine Consortium has demonstrated that despite the challenges, key players in the Australian mining industry now have the technical and organisational capabilities to accelerate the emissions reduction timeline, delivering better outcomes for both miners and the community. The Roadmap outlines major projects and enablers that would address the key mine electrification and emissions reductions challenges in the Australian industry. These projects are intended to be innovative and ambitious (yet achievable) in supporting mining electrification and to optimise the collective resources invested. You can download it for free here: https://lnkd.in/gvuNB5hQ #mining #electricmine #australianindustry #electrification #miningindustry #decarbonisation Department of Energy, Mines, Industry Regulation and Safety Department of Jobs, Tourism, Science and Innovation Graeme Stanway Georgie Taylor Australian Renewable Energy Agency (ARENA)

This week in Africa's Infrastructure! Join us as we unfold top updates, covering Mining, Housing, Urban Renewal, Water, Waste, and Renewables: The African Catalyst Newsletter - Welcome to Issue 54th of 'The African Catalyst Weekly Newsletter', our weekly source for the latest news on African infrastructure, finance, and development. The following are latest news on Infrastructure, Finance, and Development in Africa: 📍South African uranium project owner to inward list on A2X -------------------------------------------------- LSE-listed Neo Energy Metals, which is developing the Henkries uranium project, in the Northern Cape, will inward list its shares on A2X Markets – a South African stock exchange – to enlarge its shareholder base and provide South African investors with an opportunity to invest in a uranium-focused operator within the region. 📍Osino ditches Dundee for superior proposal from foreign suitor -------------------------------------------------- Canada-based Osino Resources is walking away from a takeover by gold miner Dundee Precious Metals (DPM) and has instead opted to accept an offer from a foreign-based mining company. 📍Hardship: Nigerian Govt Threatens to Seal FMCG Outlets with Deceptive Prices -------------------------------------------------- The Nigerian Government has threatened to seal Fast-Moving Consumer Goods, FMCG, outlets nationwide over deceptive pricing amid rising hardship. Adamu Abdullahi, the Acting Executive Vice Chairman of the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission, FCCPC issued this warning in a statement on Saturday amid the rising cost of food. 📍Leaders commit to Mind the Gap – Invest in Water as the race to achieve SDG 6 in Africa accelerates -------------------------------------------------- African leaders have pledged to mobilise US$30bn per year by 2030 to achieve water security and sustainable sanitation on the continent through institutional private-public partnerships, sector reform, and higher national budget allocations. This is the key message from the launch of Mind the Gap – Invest in Water, a campaign championed by the African Union […] 📍City of Tshwane’s Temba Waste Water Treatment Works Faces Threats from Criminal Syndicates -------------------------------------------------- The Temba Waste Water Treatment Works in the City of Tshwane is currently grappling with criminal syndicates targeting its infrastructure. This week, vandals struck at the plant’s inlet works, damaging […] The post City of Tshwane’s Temba Waste Water Treatment Works Faces Threats from Criminal Syndicates first appeared on Infrastructure news. To stay informed and engaged with latest infrastructure trends and updates, delve into the full edition here: https://lnkd.in/e-xXfngz #TACNewsletters #Africa #Infrastructure #Finance #Development #InfrastructureDevelopment #InfrastructureFinance #InfrastructureProjects #SustainableInfrastructure

ICYMI - The interview with Josie Osborn, British Columbia’s Minister of Energy, Mines, and Low Carbon Innovation, focuses on B.C.'s efforts to utilize the $1.5 billion Critical Minerals Infrastructure Fund effectively. Osborn highlights the region's readiness to capitalize on Canada's emphasis on #criticalminerals, as discussed at the Resourcing Tomorrow event in London. This initiative represents a significant push towards #renewableenergy sources in the mining sector, aligning with broader environmental goals. One notable aspect is the proactive approach in obtaining consent agreements with First Nations, aimed at expediting the permitting process and providing predictability. This is a strategic move to ensure efficient and respectful collaboration with Indigenous communities, aligning with the broader goal of enhancing renewable energy utilization in the mining sector. For more details, you can view the full interview here: https://bitly.ws/35UDc #EMLI #BCRMA #FirstNationsCollaboration #CriticalMineralsCanada #copper #investing

$AZL - Energy, Mines and Resources Minister Jim Reiter was alongside leaders in the critical minerals industry for the announcement of new incentives for the sector. Paul Lloyd, Managing Director of Arizona Lithium Limited (ASX:AZL), points to the advantage Saskatchewan has as well for his sector. “With Saskatchewan just in our resource having 6.3 million tons and there’s a lot more there as well, we have a huge resource,” said Lloyd. “Of course, North America is the home of the EV revolution. You’ll find the demand for this commodity will be driven by North America.” https://lnkd.in/gjRRxTDU