U.S. Hardrock Mining Royalties, A Major Lithium Discovery, and Improved Urea Production

Updates in Mining

Malaysia Will Ban Rare Earth Exports

Malaysia plans to ban exports of rare earths in an effort to develop the industry inside its borders, says Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, according to Mining Weekly.??

Vietnam’s Rare Earths

Also in rare earths, Reuters reported that a visit by President Joe Biden to Hanoi, Vietnam saw the signing of an agreement that would increase Vietnam’s ability to attract investors to its rare earth resources. Vietnam is home to the world’s second-largest deposit of rare earths, according to the U.S. Geological Survey.

U.S. & EU Pledge Support for Lobito Corridor

At the G20 forum in India, the European Union and United States released a statement pledging support for the Lobito Corridor, a Trans-African rail line that will connect the port of Lobito with landlocked areas of the continent, increasing access to essential resources. This is in addition to an ambitious rail and shipping project that would link India to the Middle East and Europe, according to ABC News.?

Group Recommends Royalties on U.S. Hardrock Mining

The Interagency Working Group on Mining Laws, Regulations and Permitting delivered a report to Congress recommending the reform of the General Mining Law of 1872. Among other things, the proposed changes would, for the first time, impose royalties on hardrock mining in the US - in this case 4% to 8%, according to Mining.com.?

A New Source of Lithium

The Science Times reports: A study published in Science Advances details the discovery of what could be the world’s largest lithium deposit, located along the Nevada-Oregon border in the McDermitt Caldera.

Ban on New Mexico Mining

The U.S. Department of the Interior has announced that the Bureau of Land Management is proposing a 50-year ban on more than 4,000 acres within the Placitas area in Sandoval County, New Mexico. The proposed ban aims to protect sacred tribal lands while also safeguarding wildlife habitat and promoting recreational opportunities.

Updates in Fertilizer

Yara Long-Term Trial Concludes With Positive Results

Yara has announced the conclusion of a 65-year trial at their Hanninghof facility in Germany. The results support the environmental and economic benefits of applying fertilizers in line with the 4R principles. The company notes that long-term trials are especially important because changes in soil fertility can take decades to appear.

Low-Carbon Fertilizer From Cocoa Shells

As part of their ongoing research into regenerative agriculture, Nestlé UK and Ireland and Cargill are launching a two-year pilot trial aimed at producing a low-carbon fertilizer from cocoa shells generated at a confectionery site in York, according to World Fertilizer.

Catalyst Improves Urea Production & Wastewater Issues

A collaboration between laboratories at Northwestern University and the University of Toronto has yielded an improved way to produce urea while also denitrifying wastewater, courtesy of a hybrid catalyst made up of zinc and copper. Learn more at Fertilizer Daily >>

Updates in Chemical

ECHA Adds to Prior Informed Consent Regulation

The European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) has made changes to the Prior Informed Consent (PIC) Regulation, EU 64/2012, adding 27 pesticides and eight industrial chemicals to Annex I. Starting Nov. 1st, this will necessitate EU exporters to notify their intentions to export and in most cases, will require consent from the importing country prior to export. Read more from Specialty Chemicals Magazine >>

EV Market Pushing Demand for Chemicals

The chemicals industry is anticipating booming demand, thanks to the ongoing pursuit of electrified transportation. According to Chemical Processing, electric vehicles have manufacturers gearing up production for everything from mining-extraction fluids to heat-resistant components.

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