Altura to increase lithium offtake shipments
Australian lithium producer Altura Mining is aiming to dispatch at least 16,000 dry metric tonnes (dmt)/month of lithium concentrate from its Pilgangoora project in Western Australia (WA) to its Chinese offtake partners for the remainder of 2019.
With production volumes increasing at its Pilgangoora project in WA, it said it is planning at least two shipments of 8,000dmt each month until the end of the year.
The project produced 29,627dmt of lithium concentrate in the January-March quarter, taking the total to 62,800dmt since production started in the July-September quarter of last year. Commercial production status was declared in mid-March.
Offtake shipments fell to 14,770dmt in the March quarter from 24,419t in the October-December quarter because of delays caused by cyclone activity on Australia's west coast. An 8,000dmt shipment that was meant to be exported in March was delayed until early April.
Altura's Pilgangoora project is ramping up to its output capacity of 220,000 t/yr of lithium concentrate at a grade of around 6pc lithium oxide. It is also considering doubling output through a second stage of the project.
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British Steel Scunthorpe rolling may stop if BF closes
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Tokyo silent on Nippon-US Steel deal to avoid meddling
Tokyo silent on Nippon-US Steel deal to avoid meddling
Tokyo, 13 September (Argus) — The Japanese government is withholding any comment on the politically fraught acquisition of US Steel by Japan's Nippon Steel because it will create meddling, the country's trade and industry (Meti) minister said. Since Nippon Steel announced its $15bn deal to acquire US Steel in December 2023, Tokyo has remained silent despite it evoking bitter political and industrial debate. This is because any governmental comment will cause "interference in the internal affairs", Meti minister Ken Saito said on 13 September. The acquisition is facing stiff resistance from US vice-president and Democratic presidential nominee Kamala Harris who said on 2 September in Pittsburgh that "US Steel should remain US-owned and US-operated".Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump criticised the deal in February, vowing to block the sale . Criticism from both candidates is seen as an attempt to gain the support of US labour unions for their presidential election ambitions. The deal is currently under review by the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States (CFIUS), with US President Biden possibly considering vetoing the deal. The Japanese business federation Keidanren responded with an open letter to US treasury secretary Janet Yellen, who chairs the CFIUS, expressing concern about "political pressure being brought to bear" on the committee. "We fear that the CFIUS process is being used to further political agendas that are outside the committee's purview and putting the US economy and workers at risk", the letter said. "It is critical that CFIUS remain solely focused on defending US national security while championing economic openness. That was the standard set when Congress codified CFIUS in the 1980s". Meti minister Saito did not make any further direct comment on the deal, only to reiterate that each and every transaction by US and Japanese companies are the building blocks for astrong and resilient bilateral economy. By Yusuke Maekawa Send comments and request more information at feedback@argusmedia.com Copyright © 2024. Argus Media group . All rights reserved.
Padnos acquires three Midwest metal recyclers
Padnos acquires three Midwest metal recyclers
Pittsburgh, 12 September (Argus) — Metal recycler Padnos has acquired three businesses in Michigan and Indiana, the company said Wednesday. The Holland, Michigan-based company purchased the Sam Winer and Company scrap yard in Elkhart, Indiana, Howe Auto Sales in Bay City, Michigan, and Grandpa's Garage in Traverse City, Michigan. Grandpa's Garage is located next door to Padnos' Traverse City facility, allowing the company to expand that location. Financial details of the transactions were not disclosed. Padnos now operates 30 recycling facilities in Michigan and Indiana. By James Marshall Send comments and request more information at feedback@argusmedia.com Copyright © 2024. Argus Media group . All rights reserved.
Mexico’s July industrial output growth slows to 0.2pc
Mexico’s July industrial output growth slows to 0.2pc
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