Benchmark Minerals: Mining mega offer puts copper in spotlight

Apr 26, 2024

ACTIONABLE INTELLIGENCE FOR THE ENERGY STORAGE REVOLUTION

Happy Friday!

This week on Benchmark Source:

Copper drove BHP’s rejected $38.8 billion takeover bid for Anglo American this week, showing growing miner interest in acquisitions as prices for the metal surge and the supply gap widens.

Benchmark’s Copper Forecast service will launch in the second half of 2024, unravelling connections between this key energy transition metal, the lithium ion supply chain, and the wider renewables space.

Benchmark’s new copper team travelled to Santiago for the annual CESCO Week industry event. Talking points included the copper rally, mine disruptions, and possible new pricing mechanisms. Read the takeaways here.

Benchmark has released its sodium ion batteries report explaining the strengths and limitations of the technology, its supply chain, and potential applications.

High energy synthetic and natural graphite anode prices stayed flat over April as a growing surplus kept pace with improved downstream demand

Many South Korean battery material producers in joint ventures with Chinese firms will need to adjust ownership shares to stay compliant with the US IRA.

Miners are investing in EV lithium ion battery recycling. And automakers are making moves in the space, too.

Also on Benchmark Source:

China’s NEV sales rebound in March after slow start this year
What do India’s elections mean for the lithium ion battery supply chain?
Watch the trailer for Benchmark Giga USA 2024, taking place 11-13 June in Washington DC.
Download the latest issue of the Benchmark Quarterly magazine.

Have a good weekend,

The Benchmark Source Team

If you have any tips, or would like to let us know what you think of this newsletter, then you can contact us at source@benchmarkminerals.com. If this email was forwarded to you, then sign up for our weekly newsletter here.

KEY WATCH

Analyst Insights: How is graphite’s landscape changing?

The majority of natural graphite is mined in China or Africa, with China dominating the processing side. Benchmark’s Head of Prices, Daisy Jennings-Gray outlines the geographical state-of-play for the natural and synthetic graphite supply chains.

“There are a number of African nations that are key to the natural graphite value chain, but China’s Heilongjiang Province is set to remain a major graphite producing hub,”

Daisy Jennings-Gray, Head of Prices at Benchmark

View Full Video Library

TOP OF THE CHARTS

Learn more about Benchmark’s Nickel Forecast

CRUNCHING THE NUMBERS

32%

China’s NEV sales increase year-on-year in March

Find out more about Benchmark’s Consultancy Services

SPECIAL ISSUES

Sodium ion batteries are potentially safer, use more abundant materials than lithium ion batteries, and could become cheaper once manufacturing is scaled up. But their energy density is currently lower than lithium ion cells, limiting their uses to energy storage and certain low-range vehicles. The supply chain for sodium ion batteries also needs to be scaled up. Benchmark analysts explain the supply chain behind sodium ion batteries, and take a look at the potential applications.

Download Benchmark’s Sodium ion Batteries 101 Whitepaper

OTHER AVAILABLE SPECIAL ISSUES

Benchmark Graphite Battery Landscape Map

Benchmark 2024 Price Outlook Whitepaper Battery Raw Materials: Due for a Recharge?

Benchmark Global Gigafactories 2023 Infographic

BENCHMARK QUARTERLY

Q1 2024 | Benchmark Magazine – Issue 37

What to expect next for lithium prices?; North America’s anode prospects rise; China’s battery industry unites for solid-state; Benchmark launches sustainable nickel prices; How elections could affect batteries in 2024; Africa’s role in lithium ion; Gigafactory pipeline contraction; CRMA boosts EU battery recycling pipeline; What next for deep-sea extraction?

BENCHMARK GIGA USA 2024

Join Benchmark’s webinar on Thursday 9 May at 07:00 or 15:00 (GMT+1) – Why Manganese Matters: The Battery Supply Chain’s Stabilising Force.

Benchmark experts will be joined by industry participants to explore the growing importance of manganese in the battery supply chain and its crucial role in meeting long term demand.

Our speakers will present on the market outlook, before engaging in a panel discussion exploring the opportunities and challenges ahead for the manganese industry.

Benchmark will only accept registrations from business email addresses.

Registrations from personal emails, academic emails, consultancies and other data providers will not be granted access.

BENCHMARK GIGA USA 2024

Registration is now open for Benchmark’s week in the US capital on 11-13 June 2024.

Join Benchmark’s week of networking, dealmaking and policy in Washington DC for lithium, critical minerals, batteries, electric vehicles and the clean energy transition.

Giga USA 2024