Updates in Mining
A Jump in Chile’s Lithium Resources
New research shows that Chile is home to even more lithium than initially thought, Reuters reports. The nation’s lithium resources contain 28% more lithium, with significant increases in the La Isla and Aguilar salt flats. Previous estimates by the USGS put Chile’s lithium resources at around 11 million tons. The new findings show an additional 3.05 million tons.
Trump Administration Releases First Round of Transparency Projects
The Trump administration is pushing hard to secure a domestic supply of critical minerals. In mid-April, the administration announced the first wave of projects selected to be added to the nation’s Permitting Dashboard as transparency projects. Inclusion on the dashboard increases visibility into the permitting process, ultimately improving permitting efficiency and expediting the process.
Resolution Copper Land Swap to Move Forward
The Resolution Copper project, included in the list of transparency projects mentioned above, has received word that the U.S. Forest Service will republish an environmental report, allowing the company to move forward with a much-needed land swap. The swap will see Resolution Copper gain 2,422 acres from the Tonto National Forest, which it needs for project development, in exchange for 5,459 acres of conservation lands around Arizona. Read more from North American Mining >>.
President Trump Pushes for Deep Sea Mining
U.S. President Donald Trump has signed an executive order that will open the door to the development of deep sea mineral resources as part of a larger effort to gain hold of critical minerals in the interest of national security and economic prosperity. The Executive Order, entitled Unleashing America’s Offshore Critical Minerals and Resources, aims to make the United States a leader in mineral extraction and processing to secure a reliable domestic supply of critical minerals.
Updates in Fertilizer
Low-Carbon Nitrogen Coming to Western Canada
Genesis Fertilizers has signed a Process Design Package *PDP) and License agreement with thyssenkrupp Uhde to make what will be Western Canada’s first low-carbon nitrogen fertilizer plant a reality. Read more from Chemical Online >>.
Autazes Project Reaches Milestone
Brazil Potash Corp.’s Autazes potash project has reached a milestone in advancing toward construction with the award of a contract to Ecology Suporte (Ecology Suporte Ambiental e Engenharia). The Autazes project is set to be a critical tool in reducing Brazil’s dependence on potash imports. Read more from World Fertilizer >>.
Updates in Chemical
From Coffee to Plastic?
A researcher at the University of Washington (UW) has discovered a way to process coffee grounds – currently a major waste product – into a compostable alternative to petroleum-based plastics. The research could be a major breakthrough, particularly when it comes to the 3D printing industry, which produces a significant amount of waste. The work was published in the journal 3D Printing and Additive Manufacturing.
A Path to Silicone Recycling
Researchers at the French National Center for Scientific Research (CNRS) have discovered a way to recycle nearly any silicone polymer back into a building block for new products. As silicone production has a large environmental footprint, the ability to recycle the material – used in everything from cosmetics to bakeware – would provide a significant savings on energy and carbon. Read more from Chemical & Engineering News >>.
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