Rainbow Rare Earths Ltd. has informed investors that its large-scale pilot plant in Johannesburg has recently commenced official operation. The plant is currently operating as expected with the optimized Phalaborwa primary process and has successfully produced approximately 2 kg of high-grade mixed rare earth hydroxides, which possess commercial value. This mixed rare earth product has a grade of about 55% TREO, higher than the industry average of 42-44% TREO specified by the Chinese standard for mixed rare earth carbonate.

Recently, the UK's Office of Gas and Electricity Markets (Ofgem) awarded a grant of £500,000 ($677,000) to a consortium led by National Gas and Gravitricity to develop a new-type underground hydrogen storage facility. The facility is designed to store up to 100 mt of green hydrogen through dedicated underground shafts. "This technology can be deployed wherever it is needed, for example, as part of the national gas network or adjacent to large industrial users," National Gas said. The company, along with Gravitricity, Southern Gas Networks, Guidehouse, the University of Edinburgh, Energy Reform, and Premtech, forms the consortium. The project development will take six months and may enter the demonstration phase in 2026.

According to media reports, in the potential acquisition of US Steel by Nippon Steel Corporation, the US government is expected to obtain "golden shares" in US Steel, which would grant the US government veto power over decision-making at the company. Sources familiar with the matter revealed that the arrangement is still under negotiation between the government and the companies, and the specific scope of the veto power, as well as the US government's stance on the current merger and acquisition agreement, remains unclear. Last Friday (May 23), US President Trump stated on social media that the "planned cooperation" between US Steel and Nippon Steel would create 70,000 jobs and generate $14 billion in economic benefits. Investors believe that Trump's statement implies that Nippon Steel has secured approval for the long-planned acquisition. According to multiple media reports, Nippon Steel plans to acquire US Steel at $55 per share and invest an additional $14 billion. Sources familiar with the matter revealed that of the $14 billion mentioned by Trump, Nippon Steel will invest approximately $11 billion by 2028. This includes over $2 billion for renovating the Mon Valley plant, $200 million for building a new R&D center, and $3.1 billion for upgrading US Steel's largest plant in Indiana. In addition, Nippon Steel will invest $3 billion in Big River Steel in Arkansas, with part of the funds going towards building electrical steel capacity to strengthen the US power grid. The company will also invest $800 million in an iron ore mine in Minnesota and $500 million in Alabama. Regarding the "golden shares," according to Japanese media, the powers granted by these shares will be included as part of the US national security agreement. Sources familiar with the matter said it is unclear whether this power implies that the US government holds equity in the company or is merely a mitigation measure. It is worth noting that Trump plans to hold a rally in Pittsburgh, where US Steel's headquarters are located, this Friday. He may promote the deal as a victory for his tariff policies and protection of American workers. However, according to sources familiar with the matter, all parties are still negotiating the details. Without explicit approval of the existing merger and acquisition agreement, these companies will not appear on stage with Trump at his rally. Pennsylvania Republican Senator and Trump ally Dave McCormick told the media on Tuesday that some arrangements are essentially finalized, as Trump announced last week. McCormick said, "The control structure will be somewhat unique. The CEO will be American, and the majority of board members will be Americans. Additionally, there will be golden shares, with some board members approved by the US government, which will enable the US to ensure that production will not be cut, and so on." Even if a deal is reached, Trump would still have to overturn the Biden administration's decision to block the transaction on national security grounds.

[Heavy to torrential rain in some areas; a new round of strong precipitation to hit south China starting from May 27] The cold air process that has been affecting most parts of China since May 21 is currently coming to an end. Today, rainfall will continue in Yunnan, Guangxi, Sichuan, and other regions. The Central Meteorological Observatory forecasts that starting from May 27, a new round of strong precipitation weather process will occur in south China. There is a high risk of meteorological disasters such as mountain torrents and geological disasters in regions like Guangdong and Yunnan.

US President Trump's tariff policies not only impacted foreign exporters but also harmed US multinational corporations with production sites outside the country. Alcoa, the largest aluminum producer in the US, is one of the "victims." Since taking office in January this year, Trump has announced a series of tariff policies. Currently, the US imposes a 25% tariff on aluminum imports. On Wednesday local time, Alcoa stated that due to US tariffs on aluminum imports from Canada, the company lost approximately $20 million in the first quarter ending March 31. The company also expects that losses in the current quarter (Q2) will reach around $90 million. "About 70% of the aluminum we produce in Canada is shipped to the US, and now it is subject to a 25% tariff," Alcoa CEO William Oplinger said during an earnings call on Wednesday. Alcoa sources some of its raw materials from Chinese suppliers. The company anticipates that hefty US tariffs on China will increase its annual costs by $10 million to $15 million due to the lack of suitable alternative suppliers. Alcoa is headquartered in Pittsburgh and produces aluminum not only in the US but also in Canada, Iceland, Australia, and other locations. According to US Department of Commerce data, Canada is the largest source of US aluminum imports, exporting $11 billion worth of primary aluminum and aluminum products to the US last year. In total, the US imported $27 billion worth of aluminum last year, with other sources including China, Mexico, and others. Trump's aluminum tariffs aim to boost US aluminum production. Data shows that last year, US smelters produced only 670,000 mt of aluminum, compared to 3.7 million mt in 2000. In recent years, smelters in various parts of the US, including Kentucky and Missouri, have shut down, making the country heavily reliant on aluminum imports to meet domestic demand. Speaking about the current US capacity, Oplinger said on Wednesday, "Even if all idle smelting capacity is restarted, the US will still face a 3.6 million mt aluminum shortfall." He also stated, "Until additional smelting capacity is built in the US, the most efficient aluminum supply chain is to continue allowing Canadian aluminum to flow into the US." At the end of February this year, Alcoa warned that Trump's tariffs on aluminum imports could lead to the loss of about 100,000 jobs in the US and would not increase US aluminum production.

Hosted by Shanghai Metals Market (SMM), CLNB 2025 (10th) New Energy Industry Expo will be held from April 16 to 18, 2025 at Suzhou International Expo Center . During the exhibition, 1 main forum and 11 sub-forums will be held, with government leaders, academicians from the Chinese Academy of Sciences and the Chinese Academy of Engineering, domestic and overseas scientists, foreign guests from dozens of countries, and leading entrepreneurs from various industries attending the event! Witness the gathering of industry leaders, discuss core technologies, listen to experts' insights, interpret market trends, gather in Suzhou, focus on key issues, and join us in dissecting industry development. This exhibition covers 6 major exhibition areas , with 1,300+ domestic and overseas exhibiting and participating companies showcasing the entire industry chain of batteries, including power batteries, consumer batteries, ESS, raw materials, materials, equipment, battery recycling, as well as NEVs, power tools, electric drives, and the low-altitude economy in the power exhibition area, providing you with a one-stop exhibition experience. Click to fill out the registration form and register immediately to discuss the future development of the new energy industry with industry elites. We look forward to your arrival and joining SMM in opening this feast of the new energy industry. At this New Energy Industry Expo , Foshan Saxonburg New Materials Co., Ltd. will make a grand appearance, discussing industry cooperation, sharing development opportunities, and jointly painting a bright blueprint for the new energy industry with peers. Foshan Saxonburg New Materials Co., Ltd. Booth Number: F57 cordially invites you to visit the CLNB 2025 New Energy Industry Expo About • Saxonburg Saxonburg Service and Value Precipitation and Accumulation Technology and Sustainability Exploration and Innovation Saxonburg Heart of the Heater Our company is a professional manufacturer of international high-end electric heating resistance alloy materials, advanced electric heating elements, and a high-quality service provider of global electric heating element solutions. The core technical personnel team has been engaged in the electric heating industry for more than 10 years, accumulating rich experience in the design and manufacture of heating elements. Our company is also an agent of Beijing Shougang's "Steel Flower" brand and Germany's special steel "BGH", and a distributor of Sweden's KANTHAL. We have a complete range of electric heating alloy grades and specifications, with sufficient inventory. We provide comprehensive high-grade electric heating alloy materials, precision resistance alloy materials, advanced industrial furnace electric heating elements, radiant tube heaters, and any non-standard electric heating elements. The company has always adhered to the business philosophy of "integrity as the foundation, self-reliance through trust, excellence in technology, and success in business", implementing the ISO9001:2008 quality management system and ISO14001 environmental management system, providing tens of thousands of high-quality electric heating elements to numerous international industrial furnace manufacturers and high-end heat treatment equipment end-users, enjoying a high reputation in the industry. For more product information, please visit www.saxonburg.cn Product Introduction Formed Heating Wires/Flat Bands Formed heating wires/flat bands, as the most common electric heating elements, are widely used in various electric heating equipment, such as muffle furnaces, chamber furnaces, car bottom furnaces, pit furnaces, rotary furnaces, tunnel furnaces, semiconductor diffusion furnaces, vacuum tube furnaces, and other high-temperature electric furnaces. The heating wires/flat bands produced by our company are tailored to customer project requirements, providing high-efficiency, small size and resistance tolerance, long life, and high consistency product solutions. Split Radiant Tubes (Squirrel Cage, Small Spring, Spiral, Snap) Split radiant tubes are electric heating elements enclosed in protective sleeves that generate heat when powered, indirectly radiating heat to the furnace lining and processed workpieces through the sleeves, widely used in various heating systems in the heat treatment and non-ferrous metal industries. Ceramic Fiber Heating Modules Ceramic fiber heating modules, composed of ceramic fibers and heating elements, integrate heating, insulation, and insulation. The shape of the heating modules can be customized according to the conditions of the equipment and heating receptors, with low density, excellent insulation performance, fast heating speed, and easy installation, making ceramic fiber heating modules widely used in powder metallurgy, petrochemicals, carbon fiber, special ceramics, semiconductors, and other industries. Horizontal Furnace/Vertical Furnace (Fine Wire Heat Field/Thick Wire Heat Field/Ignition Heat Field/Water-Cooled Heat Field) • Saxonburg Vertical Fine Wire Heat Field is a high-precision furnace body applied in semiconductor heat treatment equipment • Internal vacuum adsorption, integrated molding • Scientific distribution of the heat field, uniform heating • Superior heat resistance and insulation performance, achieving low energy consumption • Long life 【CLNB 2025—Hot Registration】 CLNB 2025 (10th) New Energy Industry Expo April 16 to 18, 2025 Suzhou International Expo Center