Recently, the steel-coke integrated clean energy project of CIMC Enric in Liupanshui City, Guizhou Province, officially went into operation. Relying on local steel industry resources, the project has achieved efficient and resource-based utilization of coke oven gas, producing fuel cell-grade high-purity hydrogen and clean energy LNG on a large scale, injecting new momentum into the expansion of the hydrogen energy industry and the development of comprehensive clean energy utilization in south-west China. The project, controlled by CIMC Enric and solely invested and constructed by its subsidiary CIMC New Energy (Liupanshui) Technology Co., Ltd., relies on the industrial coke oven gas from Shougang Shuicheng Steel (Group) Co., Ltd. as the core production raw material to specially produce blue LNG and 99.999% high-purity blue hydrogen , achieving green and high-value-added conversion of industrial tail gas. The overall project total investment of 808 million yuan , with a construction period of 12 months and a planned site area of 248 mu. After reaching full production, it is expected to achieve an annual output of approximately 140,000 mt of LNG and annual production of 24 million Nm³ of high-purity hydrogen , with considerable capacity scale and outstanding industrial benefits. It is reported that this project is an important piece in CIMC Enric's integrated steel-coke industry layout. Currently, the enterprise already has two similar projects, at Ansteel Bayuquan and Lingsteel, operating stably. Meanwhile, three new projects are in the early preparation stage. The industry layout covers domestic provinces such as Liaoning, Guizhou, and Sichuan, and extends to overseas markets in Southeast Asia. As of now, the company's total operating integrated steel-coke projects are expected to achieve an annual production capacity of 48 million Nm³ of hydrogen, 420,000 mt of LNG, and 80,000 mt of liquid ammonia, with the advantages of large-scale industrial clusters gradually becoming prominent. The Liupanshui project was implemented entirely relying on CIMC Enric's proprietary core technologies and complete equipment systems. Throughout the entire process of production, liquefaction, storage and transportation, distribution, and end-use applications, it is equipped with the enterprise's self-developed LNG storage tanks, cryogenic liquefaction equipment, hydrogen compression units, and a plant-wide DCS intelligent control system, achieving digitalized and refined control over the entire production chain. Meanwhile, the project received integrated comprehensive construction services from CIMC Enric Engineering Technology Co., Ltd., fully leveraging the company's technical barrier advantages in core processes and key equipment, to create a high-quality, innovative clean energy comprehensive demonstration project, precisely aligning with Guizhou Province's "Rich Ore Refined Development" policy and helping to upgrade and expand the regional clean energy industry. The high-purity hydrogen produced by this project fully meets fuel cell-grade application standards , with significant industrial empowerment value. On the one hand, it can steadily provide low-cost, high-quality hydrogen sources for industrial enterprises in the region such as precious metal processing and semiconductor manufacturing, ensuring the hydrogen demand of local high-end manufacturing industries. On the other hand, it will strongly support the construction of Liupanshui as a hydrogen energy demonstration city, helping to deploy new application scenarios such as gas-hydrogen-electricity integrated energy service stations and hydrogen combined heat and power. The project will also become a core hydrogen supply node in the "Yu-Qian-Gui" Hydrogen Corridor , improving China's industrial by-product hydrogen purification and hydrogen source supply system, and laying a solid foundation for building a cross-regional supply and sales framework of "Guizhou Hydrogen, Guangdong Sales" and establishing channels for the entire hydrogen energy industry chain in the future. Currently, Liupanshui City has built a diversified, multi-scenario hydrogen downstream consumption system, with remarkable results in the commercialization and application of hydrogen energy. Since 2025, 100 49-mt-class hydrogen heavy-duty trucks and 4 8.6-metre hydrogen fuel cell buses have been put into use locally. At the same time, the first hydrogen fuel cell locomotive in south-west China has been deployed and completed trial operation, filling the industrial gap in hydrogen railway freight in south-west China. At this stage, Liupanshui continues to broaden the application boundaries of hydrogen energy, covering heavy-duty truck transport, sanitation operations, cold chain logistics, and railway freight—various livelihood and industrial sectors—while actively exploring cutting-edge application tracks such as hydrogen metallurgy and hydrogen-based chemicals, striving to build a comprehensive and multi-level hydrogen industry ecosystem.

Indian rebar producer VMS TMT has approved a merger with Aditya Ultra Steel to build a more integrated manufacturing base and improve operational efficiency. The deal remains subject to statutory approval. The merged entity will consolidate its Gujarat operations and “Kamdhenu”-branded rebar ecosystem, with combined annual capacity of around 300,000 tonnes and a dealer network of about 300, supporting procurement, production, logistics and distribution synergies.

[SMM Aluminum Express News] AD Ports Group and Emirates Global Aluminium will jointly invest AED 84 million (US$22.9 million) to upgrade EGA’s dedicated berth at Khalifa Port. The multi-phase project will enable the berth to accommodate Newcastlemax dry bulk vessels, which can carry 15–20% more cargo than the Capesize vessels currently used. Upon completion by August 2028, the upgraded berth is expected to handle approximately 8 million tonnes of bulk cargo annually, enhancing raw material logistics efficiency and supply chain resilience for EGA’s aluminium operations.

Zimbabwe's Finance Minister Mthuli Ncube revealed during the World Economic Forum in Dalian that the country is actively considering using its abundant mineral resources as collateral through "resource‑linked debt instruments" to finance road and railway construction projects in cooperation with China. This model aims to leverage future revenue from natural resources as loan guarantees to address the huge funding gap for infrastructure development. Ncube said Zimbabwe has held preliminary discussions with China Railway Group regarding such financing arrangements. He told reporters: "We have discussed resource‑linked debt instruments and hope to use them in the future to support infrastructure development, particularly in the road and railway sectors." Under the envisaged plan, Zimbabwe would assess project costs, toll revenue potential, and the return cycle of required resource investments to determine the scale of resource collateral and the repayment path. As Africa's largest lithium producer, Zimbabwe possesses rich mineral resources, but years of economic mismanagement and political instability have left its infrastructure severely lagging. The African Development Bank estimates that the country needs approximately US$34 billion to modernise its transport and logistics network. The proposed resource‑for‑infrastructure plan resembles the model of the US$7 billion Sicomines copper‑cobalt joint venture in the Democratic Republic of Congo with Chinese companies. As early as September 2025, Zimbabwe's President, during a meeting in Beijing with senior executives of China Railway Group, promoted a railway rehabilitation cooperation plan totalling US$533 million. The project is to be implemented by Chuantie International, a subsidiary of China Railway Group with extensive experience in African projects. The scope of work includes repair and reinforcement of existing lines and bridges, modernisation of signal systems, procurement of 17 locomotives and 209 freight wagons, construction of five new stations, and the key trunk line connecting Beitbridge and Harare – a strategic corridor leading directly to South Africa, which is vital to Zimbabwe's foreign trade. Currently, the project's financing method and formal signing date are still under final negotiation. Zimbabwe's railway network was built during the colonial era and carried up to 12 million tonnes of freight annually in the 1990s. However, decades of underinvestment, equipment obsolescence, and foreign exchange shortages have caused the railway infrastructure to deteriorate continuously. Current annual freight volume has fallen to less than 3 million tonnes – only 15% of its historical peak. Many lines are overgrown with weeds, and a large number of locomotives and rolling stock have been taken out of service, directly weakening the capacity to transport bulk commodities such as lithium, chrome ore, and coal to the ports of Mozambique and South Africa. Consequently, Chinese mining enterprises operating in Zimbabwe – including Tsingshan Holding Group, Sinosteel Corporation, and Zhejiang Huayou Cobalt – all face export bottlenecks for their products. The decline of the railway system has forced a large volume of freight onto roads, leading to a surge in heavy trucks, which in turn exacerbates road congestion, traffic accidents, and pavement damage, forming a vicious cycle. In response, the National Railways of Zimbabwe has incorporated this railway rehabilitation into a broader modernisation framework and has engaged in cooperation with 11 private enterprises. Among them, South Africa's Grindrod, through its subsidiary Beitbridge‑Bulawayo Railway Company, has already deployed three locomotives and 150 freight wagons to alleviate current transport pressures. At the same time, Zimbabwe is exploring collaboration with the University of Zimbabwe to leverage the university's innovation centre for localised railway technology R&D and talent training, building capacity for long‑term operations. Analysts point out that if this railway rehabilitation is successfully implemented, it will not only fully restore Zimbabwe's deteriorated railway network, but also provide critical logistics support for the country's US$12 billion mining target, while further deepening the strategic presence of Chinese enterprises in Zimbabwe's mining and infrastructure sectors. According to market dynamics, in recent years – and especially since the beginning of this year – lithium ore shipments from Zimbabwe have been persistently delayed at ports, with insufficient inland transport capacity being one of the main bottlenecks hindering smooth cargo arrivals. As the relevant logistics system upgrades are put into effect, this situation is expected to be significantly alleviated, and the transport efficiency of lithium materials will be notably improved, thereby injecting solid momentum into the stabilisation of global lithium supply. Sources: Mining.com , Azure Track Rail, and SMM

The Canadian federal government is considering granting national interest status to the Mackenzie Valley Highway and the Grays Bay Road and Port Project (GBRP), two major infrastructure developments aimed at improving access to mineral-rich regions in Nunavut and the Northwest Territories. The Mackenzie Valley Highway would extend approximately 800 km north from Wrigley to Inuvik, while the GBRP includes a deepwater port, airstrip and a 230-km all-season road connecting Nunavut and the Northwest Territories. Canadian officials said the projects could significantly improve transportation infrastructure, reduce logistics costs, and facilitate the development of zinc, copper, silver and other base metal deposits in the Far North. Companies that could benefit include Glencore, MMG and West Kitikmeot Resources. If approved, the projects would become among the first to receive consideration under Canada’s Building Canada Act, potentially accelerating permitting and regulatory approvals through the Major Projects Office.

SMM June 30 News: News 1: [2k-ton Waste Li-ion Battery Recycling Project Launched in Changsha, Hunan] Recently, the ecological environment authority released the public notice on the draft EIA report for the waste power battery recycling and resource utilization project (Phase I). The project involves a total investment of RMB 30 million, located in Ningxiang Economic and Technological Development Zone, Changsha, Hunan. It consists of one dismantling and pyrolysis production line for waste LIBs and separators. Upon completion, it will achieve an annual processing capacity of 10,000 tons of waste LIBs and separators, yielding 4,100 tons of lithium battery black mass and 2,590 tons of copper/aluminum materials per year. News 2: [20k-ton Waste New Energy Li-ion Battery Recycling Project Launched in Jieshou, Anhui] Recently, the local government released the first public announcement on EIA for the project of recycling 20,000 tons of waste new energy LIBs and producing 30,000 tons of recycled plastic products annually. The project involves a total investment of RMB 100 million, located in Tianying Science and Technology Park, Jieshou High-tech Zone. It consists of two waste LIB crushing production lines, four plastic pellet production lines, and four plastic product production lines. Upon completion, it will achieve an annual processing capacity of 20,000 tons of waste new energy LIBs, and an annual output of 20,000 tons of modified plastic pellets and 10,000 tons of plastic products. News 3: [80k-ton Waste Li-ion Battery Dismantling and Comprehensive Utilization Project Launched in Gao County, Sichuan] Recently, the local government released the public notice on the draft EIA report for the 80,000-ton waste LIB dismantling and comprehensive utilization project. The project involves a total investment of RMB 300 million, located in Yibin Circular Economy Industrial Park, Gao County. It consists of 10 battery dismantling and crushing production lines, including three LFP battery crushing lines, two NCM battery crushing lines, two LFP cathode sheet processing lines, two LFP anode sheet processing lines, and one battery cascade utilization line. Upon completion, it will achieve an annual dismantling and comprehensive utilization capacity of 80,000 tons of waste LIBs. News 4: [300k-ton Waste LFP Battery Regeneration Project Launched in Yichang, Hubei] Recently, the ecological environment authority released the public notice on the draft EIA report for the 300,000-ton waste LFP battery regeneration project. The project involves a total investment of approx. RMB 1.07 billion, located in Yaojiagang Chemical Park, Yichang, Hubei. It consists of hydrometallurgical leaching, impurity removal, lithium salt synthesis, iron phosphate synthesis, and supporting water treatment, warehousing and logistics systems. Upon completion, it will achieve an annual processing capacity of 300,000 tons of waste LFP battery packs, yielding 22,500 tons of lithium carbonate, 90,000 tons of iron phosphate, and 64,000 tons of sodium sulfate per year. News 5: [20k-ton Waste Power Battery Crushing and 50k-group Cascade Utilization Project Launched in Kashgar, Xinjiang] Recently, the ecological environment industry association released the first public announcement on EIA for the integrated project of cascade utilization and crushing & recycling of new energy vehicle waste power batteries in Kashgar Economic Development Zone. The project is located in the Chengbei Area of Kashgar Economic Development Zone. It consists of one cascade utilization production line with an annual processing capacity of 50,000 groups of waste power batteries, and one crushing and sorting production line with an annual processing capacity of 20,000 tons of waste power batteries. Upon completion, it will achieve the above-mentioned annual processing capacities. News 6: [100k-ton Retired Li-ion Battery Recycling Project Launched in Lixian, Hunan] Recently, the local government released the announcement on the launch of the new energy circular economy and energy storage equipment industry project in Lixian. According to public information, the Phase I investment is RMB 500 million, located in Lixian, Changde, Hunan. It consists of production lines for recycling and processing 100,000 tons of retired LIBs and 100,000 tons of retired PV modules annually. Upon completion, it will achieve an annual processing capacity of 100,000 tons of retired LIBs, with an estimated annual output value of RMB 1 billion.