On May 8, Cangzhou Mingzhu Plastic Co., Ltd. issued an announcement stating that it plans to invest in the construction of the Cangzhou Mingzhu South China Base project in Zengcheng District, Guangzhou City. This project has a total investment of approximately 3.38 billion yuan. The construction content includes the establishment of 8 new wet-process lithium battery separator production lines and 7 PE pipeline production lines, along with supporting production workshops, warehouses, office facilities, and auxiliary equipment for production, testing, environmental protection, and safety. It is designed to achieve an annual production capacity of 2.4 billion square meters of wet-process lithium-ion battery separators and 30,000 tons of PE pipelines.

On May 14-15, 2026, the SMM WCCE 2026 (4th) Wire & Cable Industry Development Conference and Industrial Exhibition will grandly open at the Suzhou International Conference Hotel, focusing on precise matchmaking across the cable industry chain. With full-chain resource integration and efficient supply-demand matching at its core, the exhibition builds a quality bridge for business negotiations and technical exchanges for industry partners. Rooted in the deep processing of copper-based new materials, focusing on high performance copper semis R&D and high-end copper conductor intelligent manufacturing, Aerospace (Yichang) Copper Technology Co., Ltd. is dedicated to process innovation and quality upgrading. The company will showcase core products including oxygen-free copper, low-oxygen copper, and copper-based alloys at the exhibition, demonstrating hardcore strength with aerospace-grade scientific and technological innovation processes, and joining forces with precision-crafted products to promote industrial synergy and jointly explore new frontiers of high-quality development in the copper semis industry. Aerospace Electric Group Co., Ltd. (hereinafter referred to as "Aerospace Electric") was founded in 1956, with a registered capital of 637 million yuan, total assets of 4.654 billion yuan, and over 1,800 employees, including 2 State Council Special Allowance experts and over 100 professionals with intermediate and senior titles. Products cover new energy power generation cables (wind power, PV); mine flame-retardant cables; rail transit power cables; NEV high-voltage cables and charging piles cables; general rubber-sheathed cables; power cables of 35KV and below; JP cables for aviation, aerospace, and naval vessels; overhead conductors (ground wires); environmental protection wiring; and copper rod and round copper wire for electrical use. On April 29, 2025, Aerospace (Yichang) Copper Technology Co., Ltd. (hereinafter referred to as Aerospace Copper) was established, dedicated to building a leading high performance copper semis manufacturing enterprise in China . The company is located in Baiyang Logistics Park, High-tech Zone, Yichang City, and is controlled by Aerospace Electric Group Co., Ltd. The Phase I project of Aerospace Copper focuses on the copper rod processing sector , specializing in two core products: upward continuous casting oxygen-free copper and continuous casting and rolling low-oxygen copper . Leveraging domestically advanced production lines, the company currently has 69 employees and possesses an annual processing capacity of 120,000 mt of copper rod. Its equipment automation level is industry-leading, with an annual output value exceeding 7 billion yuan. On July 30, 2025, the upward continuous casting production line of Aerospace Copper successfully started production. On August 15, 2025, the upward continuous casting production line successfully produced its first rod. On September 19, 2025, the continuous casting and rolling production line of Aerospace Copper successfully started production. On November 20, 2025, the continuous casting and rolling production line completed trial rod production. On November 23, 2025, the continuous casting and rolling production line officially produced rod. This marked that the Phase I project of Aerospace Copper is about to be fully completed and put into operation. In 2026, Aerospace Copper will gradually advance the construction of its Phase II project, building an entire industry chain encompassing R&D and production of copper conductors and copper-based alloys with cross-sections below 1,000mm² . The target is to achieve annual sales revenue exceeding 10 billion yuan, with completion and commissioning planned for October 2026, injecting strong momentum into the development of the wire and cable industry cluster in the Yijingjing'en metropolitan area. Aerospace Copper adheres to innovation-driven development, engaging in deep cooperation with universities such as Huazhong University of Science and Technology and China Three Gorges University to promote product upgrades and achieve localisation substitution in the copper alloy field. Meanwhile, the company advances intelligent and information-based equipment construction and cultivates high-quality technical talent. The company has established a comprehensive talent development system, providing skills training, dual channels for career advancement, and competitive compensation and benefits, creating a broad development platform for employees. Aerospace (Yichang) Copper Technology Co., Ltd., with quality as its foundation and innovation as its wings, continuously provides high-quality products to clients and co-creates value with partners! May 14-15, 2026, Jiangsu · Suzhou International Conference Hotel . Friends from all sectors are welcome to attend the conference in person and visit the booth of Aerospace (Yichang) Copper Technology Co., Ltd. (E16) to experience up close the technological strength and product appeal of this cable equipment R&D enterprise, explore new cooperation opportunities together, and open a new chapter for the industry. SMM WCCE 2026 (4th) Wire & Cable Industry Development Conference and Industrial Exhibition May 14-15 Jiangsu · Suzhou International Conference Hotel Participating enterprises: Qifan Cable, Kunyi Cable, Senyuan Cable, Sanwu Cable, Huili Cable, Wanma Co., Ltd., Xinhai High Conductivity, Chenfeng Yongliang, Xinhuang Group, Dongwu Futures, Guojia Conductor, Hongxing Meike, Dongfeng Cable, Qijia Industry, Beijing Shougang Ferroalloy, Xinhongye, Yingtan Chaolong, Meichuangli, Jiuli Electric, Xinzi Nengke, Xindongang Electric, Aerospace Electric, Guochu Logistics, Jielüda, Jinhuijia, Xindian Aluminum Alloy, Gangwei Ultrasonic, Jinrui Qianyuan...... Click to View ☛ ｜

On May 14-15, 2026, the SMM WCCE 2026 (4th) Wire & Cable Industry Development Conference and Industrial Exhibition will grandly open at the Suzhou International Conference Hotel, focusing on precise matchmaking across the cable industry chain. With full-chain resource integration and efficient supply-demand matching at its core, the exhibition builds a quality bridge for business negotiation and technical exchange among industry partners. Shaanxi Kunlan Cable Manufacturing Co., Ltd. has a team of professional technical personnel and workers, and has established a provincial-level enterprise technology R&D center, providing strong technical assurance for product quality control, improvement, and new product R&D. As a modern technology-oriented manufacturing enterprise integrating R&D, production, sales, and services, the company has always focused on wire and cable. It will showcase a variety of high-quality wire and cable products in multiple specifications at the exhibition, injecting new vitality into the industry. Shaanxi Kunlan Cable Manufacturing Co., Ltd. was established on April 19, 2016. It is a modern professional wire and cable manufacturing enterprise integrating R&D, production, sales, and technical services . Its production site is located in the provincial-level economic development zone in Linyou County, Baoji City, covering an area of approximately 50,000 m², with an annual capacity exceeding 2 billion yuan. With over a decade of deep cultivation in the cable field, the company has become a highly competitive and capable enterprise in China's cable sector, backed by its solid product quality, comprehensive qualification system, and customized service capabilities. The company possesses leading professional production equipment and detection instruments in and outside China, strictly manufactures in accordance with national standards and international organization standards, and has built a closed-loop quality system covering raw material selection, full production process control, and rigorous finished product inspection before delivery, establishing a complete and well-rounded product system. The company mainly sells household wiring cables, low/medium/high voltage power cables, control cables, mineral-insulated fireproof cables, coal mine cables, aerial insulated cables, aerial bundled cables, pre-branched cables, rubber-sheathed cables, flame-retardant cables, fire-resistant cables, low-smoke halogen-free cables, irradiation-crosslinked cables, etc. It can design and produce specialty cables according to client requirements . The sales network covers the entire country, and the company has established long-term strategic partnerships with key project entities including State Grid Corporation of China, China Railway Group, CNNC, China Energy Engineering, China Railway Construction, AVIC, China Minmetals, China National Chemical Engineering, China State Construction, Xi'an Metro, Shaanxi Construction Group, Shaanxi Coal Group, Yanchang Petroleum Group, China Resources Land, among others. Company Qualifications : The company has obtained the National Industrial Product Production License, National Compulsory Product CCC Certification, Quality/Environmental/Occupational Health and Safety Management System Certification, ECM Certification, CNNC Qualified Supplier Certification, State Grid Certificate of Compliance, Coal Mine Safety Certification, etc. The company has been recognized as a AAA Credit Enterprise in Shaanxi Province, an Advanced Enterprise for Honest Business Operations in Shaanxi Province, and a Trusted Consumer Unit in Shaanxi Province. It has received honors including "Growth Enterprise," "High-tech Enterprise," "Above-scale Enterprise," "Technology Little Giant Enterprise," "Specialized, Refined, Differentiated and Innovative Enterprise," and "Industrial Enterprise R&D Center." Adhering to the business philosophy of "Integrity, Pragmatism, Cooperation, and Win-win," Shaanxi Kuncable has always upheld its commitments of "Domestic Excellence, Technology and Environmental Protection," "National Standard Quality, Safe and Durable," and "Guaranteed Full Meters, Tenfold Compensation for Shortages," serving a broad range of users with the mission of "Quality Products and Satisfactory Service." Product Display Shaanxi Kuncable Cable Manufacturing Co., Ltd. will continue to focus on the wire and cable industry, driving product upgrades through technological innovation and building a solid foundation for development through rigorous quality control. The company is committed to becoming a benchmark enterprise in the wire and cable industry and realizing its vision of "Going Global, Facing the World"! May 14-15, 2026, Suzhou International Conference Hotel, Jiangsu , we welcome friends from all sectors to attend the conference in person and visit the booth of Shaanxi Kuncable Cable Manufacturing Co., Ltd. (E28-29) to experience up close the outstanding quality and technological strength of Shaanxi Kuncable, explore new cooperation opportunities, and open a new chapter for the industry together. SMM WCCE 2026 (4th) Wire and Cable Industry Development Conference & Industrial Exhibition May 14-15 Suzhou International Conference Hotel, Jiangsu Participating Enterprises: Qifan Cable, Kunyi Cable, Senyuan Cable, Sanwu Cable, Huili Cable, Wanma Co., Ltd., Xinhai High Conductivity, Chenfeng Yongliang, Xinhuang Group, Dongwu Futures, Guojia Conductor, Hongxing Meike, Dongfeng Cable, Qijia Industrial, Beijing Shougang Ferroalloy, Xinhongye, Yingtan Chaolong, Meichuangli, Jiuli Electric, Xinzi Nengke, Xindongang Electric, Aerospace Electric, Guochu Logistics, Jielüda, Jinhuijia, Xindian Aluminum Alloy, Gangwei Ultrasonic, Jinrui Qianyuan... Click to View ☛ ｜

[US Lithium Mine Development Boom: From One Mine to Over 100 Planned Projects by 2030] The US lithium industry is standing at the threshold of a historic transformation, about to leap from its current status of having only one producing lithium mine to becoming a significant participant in the global critical battery metals market. Currently, only one lithium mine is operating across the entire US, but this landscape is about to change rapidly. By 2030, at least six new projects are expected to come into production successively, with another 13 projects close behind. This round of expansion is primarily concentrated in the geologically favorable arid regions of the Southwest, but this is merely the beginning of a potential mining boom. According to the latest industry data, enterprises have identified over 100 potential lithium ore extraction areas nationwide. Behind this aggressive expansion is the continued climb in lithium ore demand from EV batteries and renewable energy ESSs—both of which are indispensable key elements of the energy transition. The rapid expansion of lithium mining scale has raised important questions from the outside world about environmental impacts, water resource consumption, and how to strike a balance between domestic mineral security and ecological protection. In this race for self-sufficient supply of "white gold," community residents and environmental protection advocates are closely watching how this industrial transformation will advance and take shape in some of America's most fragile desert ecosystems. Source: https://www.envirolink.org [Lithium Ore Reserves in Eastern US States May Replace Over a Century of Import Demand] U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) scientists announced this discovery, estimating its scale sufficient to replace over three hundred years of lithium import demand. The US currently relies on imports for nearly half of its lithium consumption, a dependency that has long been a concern for energy security analysts. Lithium occupies a central position in the modern economy, serving as a critical material for lithium-ion batteries used in smartphones, laptops, EVs, and aerospace alloys. Against the backdrop of accelerating global demand and intensifying geopolitical pressures, domestic reserves of this scale carry significant strategic importance. This discovery came at a sensitive period in the global mineral landscape. Australia currently supplies nearly half of global lithium production, while China not only has considerable production but also dominates global refining and consumption. Thirty years ago, the US was the world's largest lithium producer, but that position was long since relinquished. Whether this discovery can help the US return to that position remains to be seen, but the scale of data cited is sufficient to warrant serious attention. The scale of this discovery is most vivid in numbers. According to USGS estimates, the reserves are sufficient to support the construction of 1.6 million grid-scale batteries, and officials stated they could power 130 million EVs or support 180 billion laptops running cumulatively for a thousand years. USGS also estimates that the reserves could support the production of 500 billion mobile phones, equivalent to approximately 60 devices for every person currently on Earth. Perhaps the most striking figure in the USGS assessment is this: measured against last year's consumption levels, the reserves are sufficient to replace 328 years of US lithium import demand. This is not a forecast of future demand, but merely a baseline comparison between existing underground reserves and historical US import demand. Source: https://indiandefencereview.com [European Metals' Cinovec Lithium Mine Project EIA Passes Czech Ministry of Environment Review] European Metals Holdings Limited (ASX/AIM: EMH) announced that its flagship Cinovec lithium mine project in the Czech Republic has achieved a significant milestone in environmental permitting. The Czech Ministry of Environment has completed its review and officially released the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) report, with a public hearing scheduled to be held in the coming weeks. Meanwhile, a cross-border EIA process involving German authorities has been formally initiated to address the transnational impacts of the project along the Czech-German border. For investors tracking the development progress of the Cinovec project, these developments are not routine updates — the company has explicitly identified the EIA release as a critical path period for obtaining final approval and advancing the project to implementation. "We are pleased with the progress the project team has made on environmental permitting for the Cinovec project. The release of the EIA report by the Czech Ministry of Environment is a critical path period for obtaining final EIA approval and advancing the Cinovec project." — Executive Chairman Keith Coughlan Source: [Latin America's Lithium Supply Gap: Structural Barriers Constraining Capacity Release] The global energy transition is built on a series of assumptions, and one of the most consequential is that the world's largest lithium reserves, concentrated in a narrow strip of South America, will be able to reliably convert into the battery-grade lithium materials increasingly and urgently needed for EVs, power grid ESSs, and consumer electronics. However, this assumption is being put to a severe test. Latin America's lithium supply gap is not a matter of salt flats being depleted or aquifers running dry, but rather a widening chasm between underground reserves and market-accessible capacity. Reserves are abundant, yet production-ready capacity falls far short. More critically, this gap continues to widen at a pivotal moment when global demand is accelerating its climb. To understand the root causes, one must look beyond the surface figures and examine in depth the structural mechanisms behind the entire chain from lithium geological deposits to battery cathode material. Source:

[China Iron Ore Brief] Iron ore concentrates prices in west Liaoning remained relatively stable, with the current ex-factory price of 66-grade iron ore concentrates at 740 yuan/mt on a wet basis and tax-exclusive. On the mines and beneficiation plants side, the impact of safety and environmental protection inspections persisted, and overall iron ore concentrates resources remained relatively tight. On the steel mills side, most steel mills maintained normal production as planned, while individual steel mills recently began maintenance on their pellet plants, affecting demand for iron ore concentrates

On April 9, 2026, the Japanese Cabinet officially approved the latest amendment to the Waste Disposal and Public Cleansing Act (commonly known as the "Waste Cleansing Act"). The core of the amendment is to upgrade metal recycling operations from a notification system to a permit system, and to impose a new obligation requiring confirmation from the Minister of the Environment for scrap metal exports.