Andy Home: Metal smelting will be the next major mineral crisis for the West.
The impact of China’s export controls on rare earths has already caused global supply chains to reel, but a more critical mineral threat is imminent. Western metal smelters face a crisis. China's rapid expansion in processing capacity is reducing margins for all metals. Recently, copper smelters located in Namibia and Philippines were placed under care and maintenance because their processing fees had fallen. There are more at risk.
Britain launches a strategy to expand offshore wind and create jobs
The government announced on Friday that Britain has launched its first onshore wind policy, which aims to increase renewable energy capacity and create jobs in this sector. Britain aims to decarbonise the electricity sector in its country by 2030, as part of its efforts to achieve its climate goals and boost energy security. It also wants to reduce its power costs through a reduction in its dependence on fossil fuels.
Clean-energy supporters blast US budget as a setback
Clean energy advocates decried Thursday the House of Representatives' final passage of the President Donald Trump tax cut bill as a reverse in the energy transition. Meanwhile, fossil fuel interests celebrated. The bill now goes to Trump's desk. Trump is expected sign the bill on Friday. The law drastically reduces the 30% tax credit that developers were relying on for their solar and wind projects. This credit was set to last until 2032.
Baker Hughes reports that US drillers have cut oil and natural gas rigs in the US for the 10th consecutive week.
Baker Hughes, a leading energy services company, said that the U.S. firms have cut back on the number of oil rigs and natural gas wells for a tenth consecutive week for the first since July 2020. The number of oil and gas drilling rigs, a good indicator of future production, dropped by eight in the week ending July 3 to 539, the lowest level since October 2021. Baker…
China's Industry Ministry is set to take on the price war in the solar sector
In an effort to support the sector, China's Industry Ministry pledged to stop the disorderly low-priced competition in the photovoltaic market. Overcapacity, coupled with a price war that has lasted for a long time, have caused many of China's top solar manufacturers to suffer losses. Li Lecheng (China's Industry Ministry) said that in a meeting with representatives of solar companies and associations…
Andy Home: Metal smelting will be the next major mineral crisis for the West.
The impact of China’s export controls on rare earths has already caused global supply chains to reel, but a greater threat from critical minerals is imminent. Western metal smelters face a crisis. China's rapid expansion in processing capacity is reducing margins for all metals. Recently, copper smelters located in Namibia and Philippines were placed under care and maintenance because their processing fees had fallen. There are more people at risk.
Why is the India-US trade deal being held up by farm products?
U.S.-India trade negotiators pushed on Wednesday for a finalisation of a tariff reduction deal before President Donald Trump's deadline July 9 but disagreements regarding U.S. agriculture and dairy remained unresolved. Why are agricultural imports sensitive in India? Agriculture and related areas only contribute 16% of India's $3.9 trillion GDP, but support nearly half the 1.4 billion people in the country.
Protesters block the copper route in Peru used by large mines
Leaders of the protest and a source in the industry said that a protest by informal miner's in Peru has blocked parts of an important copper corridor used by MMG, Glencore, and Hudbay. Luis Huaman said that the demonstrators who blocked the road in the Chumbivilcas Province of Cusco are pressing the Peruvian government to extend the deadline for regularizing informal mining operations.
Dallas Fed survey: Oil and gas activity decreased in Q2 due to higher US steel tariffs
The Dallas Fed survey released on Wednesday showed that activity in the U.S. Oil and Gas sector in Texas and Louisiana, and New Mexico, decreased slightly in the second half of 2025. This was due to the increase in steel tariffs. The drop in activity comes after U.S. president Donald Trump, who encouraged U.S. manufacturers to "drill baby drill", doubled tariffs for steel and aluminum imports from 25% to 50%.
Shares in European Renewable Companies Rise After Revised US Senate Bill
Shares in European renewable energy companies rose on Wednesday after the U.S. Senate passed a revised budget bill the previous day which was more positive for wind power compared to an earlier version.U.S. President Donald Trump's "Big Beautiful Bill" makes it harder to develop wind and solar energy projects in the U.S. by effectively phasing out renewable energy tax…
Max Financial, India reports cyber-threat at unit
India's Max Financial Services announced on Wednesday that Axis Max Life Insurance received information about an unauthorized access of some customer data. The communication came from an anonymous sender. Max Financial announced that the company had begun a data log and security assessment. In a press release, the company stated that "a detailed investigation was also…
Germany supports cross-border gas deal with Netherlands
The German cabinet backed a deal on Wednesday with the Netherlands that would support the extraction of gas from a reservoir located in the North Sea. Berlin is looking to increase its domestic gas production. After the Ukraine conflict and Germany's decision not to import Russian gas, the government is now focusing on alternative solutions, such as increasing domestic exploration and extraction.
Palmettos end higher due to better demand and likely lower production in June
The price of Malaysian palm oils futures rose on Wednesday. This ended two sessions of consecutive losses. Supported by higher demand, the rally in soya oil and the potential for lower production levels in June, they were boosted by higher prices, higher demand, higher soya oil prices, and heightened expectations of lower production. The benchmark palm-oil contract for…
Shares of European renewable energy companies rise following revised US Senate bill
The shares of European renewable energy companies increased on Wednesday, after the U.S. Senate approved on Tuesday a revised version of its budget bill which was more favorable for wind power than an earlier version. The "Big Beautiful Bill", signed by Donald Trump, makes it more difficult to develop solar and wind energy projects in the U.S. The end date for wind and solar projects that start construction after this is 2027.
The price of EUROPE GAS has recovered after a loss earlier in the week
The wholesale gas prices in both the Netherlands and Britain rose on Wednesday morning after falling earlier in this week. LSEG data shows that the benchmark Dutch contract for August deliveries at TTF hub rose 0.86 euros to 33.30 Euro per megawatt-hour at 0813 GMT. The Dutch contract was 0.43 euros higher, at 34.83 Euro/MWh. The British contract in August increased by 2.03 pence to 80.35 cents per therm.
RPT-Pakistan is looking to sell surplus LNG in the face of a glut in supply that has slowed down local gas production - Document
According to a presentation by a government official who is familiar with the issue, Pakistan is looking for ways to sell surplus liquefied gas (LNG). This could result in losses of $378 million per year to domestic producers. A second official confirmed that the country imports LNG from Qatar, but has a surplus of at least three cargoes. It has no immediate need for these LNG, so it is selling them at steep discounts.
Senate bill still deals a big blow to renewables despite last-minute amendments
Industry advocates and legislators said that the massive U.S. Senate budget bill passed on Tuesday would make it more difficult to develop solar and wind energy projects despite the removal some controversial provisions. After last-minute talks with Republican senators who wanted better terms for renewable energy, the Senate dropped its proposed excise taxes on solar and wind projects that didn't meet strict criteria.
Pakistan Explores Selling Excess LNG
Pakistan is exploring ways to sell excess liquefied natural gas (LNG) cargoes amid a gas supply glut that could cost domestic producers $378 million in annual losses, according to a presentation and a government official familiar with the matter.The country has at least three LNG cargoes in excess that it imported from top supplier Qatar and has no immediate use for…
Document: Pakistan wants to sell its excess LNG due to a glut of supply that is reducing local gas production.
According to a government official and a presentation, Pakistan is looking for ways to sell surplus liquefied gas (LNG). This could result in losses of $378 million per year to domestic producers. A second official confirmed that the country imports LNG from Qatar, but has three cargoes left over. It has no immediate need for them, so it is selling them at steep discounts.
Users of rare earth magnets are compelled to pay premium prices for ex China supply
Rahim Suleman has been reaching out to automakers, and other potential customers, for years to sell the rare earth magnets produced by the factory his company is building in Estonia. It's one of only a few outside the dominant producer China. Suleman's sales pitch was retired after Beijing placed new restrictions on super-strong magnets in wind turbines and electric vehicles, effective April 4. He no longer needed it.
