Updates in Mining
More Funding Aimed at Critical Minerals
The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) announced it intends to issue notices of funding opportunities (NOFO) to support the development and expansion of mining, processing, and manufacturing technologies across all points of the critical minerals supply chain. The funding will total nearly $1 billion USD.
DOD to Buy Cobalt
The U.S. Department of Defense (DOD) has announced plans to purchase up to $500 million worth of cobalt over five years to strengthen defense stockpiles, according to Reuters. The move follows Chinaโs restrictions on rare earth magnets, which caused a sharp drop in exports and disrupted industries such as automotive manufacturing.
2025 Draft List of Critical Minerals Released
The U.S. Department of the Interior (DOI) released its 2025 draft list of critical minerals, alongside a report that proposes a new way to assess the effects of supply chain disruptions on the U.S. economy. As many in the mining industry had hoped, the additions of silver, copper, and potash (among others) have been included in the draft list.
Lithium Mine Temporarily Halts Production
Chinese battery maker CATL suspended production at its Yichun lithium mine after its license expired, triggering an 8% surge in lithium futures and sharp gains in lithium mining stocks across China and Australia. The news eased ongoing concerns of market oversupply, though CATL said operations would resume once the license is renewed. Read more from Mining Weekly >>
Updates in Fertilizer
Fertilizer Markets Eye Impact of Tariff Hikes
President Trump raised fertilizer import tariffs, increasing most rates from 10% to 15% and setting some, like Algeriaโs urea, as high as 30%, while potash, NPKs, and USMCA-compliant fertilizers remain exempt. The new tariffs, effective for shipments arriving after October 7, are expected to mainly affect nitrogen and phosphate markets, though initial price responses have been limited. Read more from World Fertilizer >>
Brazil Sets July Fertilizer Import Record
Brazil set a record for July fertilizer imports in 2025, according to Fertilizer Daily. The nation brought in 4.79 million tons in Julyโa 15.6% increase from June and 7.1% above July 2024, amid rising geopolitical tensions and trade uncertainties.
Rock Dust for Soil Health and Carbon Capture
Collaborative research shows promise for using rock dust to improve soil health and fight climate change. Published in the journal Agronomy, the work was conducted by Rothamsted Research, the French National Research Institute for Agriculture, Food and Environment (INRAE), and the UKโs National Oceanography Centre. The study found that spreading crushed volcanic rock on farmland could assist in both capturing carbon dioxide from the atmosphere and improving crop yields.
Updates in Chemical
A Potential Alternative to Haber-Bosch Process
New research coming out of the University of Bonn could offer an alternative to the energy- and carbon-intensive Haber-Bosch process used in ammonia production, Chemical Processing reports. The new process relies on renewable electricity, water, and nitrogen gas, rather than methane-derived hydrogen. Study findings were published in the journal Nature Communications.
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