At the CLNB 2025 (10th) New Energy Industry Chain Expo - Battery Raw Materials Forum hosted by SMM Information & Technology Co., Ltd. (SMM), Martin Ma, China GM of the International Lithium Association, shared his insights on the topic of "Global Lithium Supply Chain and ESG - Opportunities and Challenges."

Discover how global firms tap Indonesian nickel for EVs while tackling ESG issues like pollution and indigenous rights.

On Friday, April 11, Canadian mining company Hudbay Minerals reached an agreement with seven industry unions, which will support its construction of the Copper World copper mine in Arizona. The mine is designed with an annual copper capacity of 85,000 mt and an expected mining lifespan of 20 years, and has now been fully approved for construction. Hudbay Minerals also stated that investors from Japan and the UAE are currently interested in purchasing partial shares of the mine. Earlier this year, the mine received an air quality permit from the Arizona Department of Environmental Quality (ADEQ), following prior approvals for aquifer protection and land reclamation, marking the completion of the project's permitting process. The company stated that the final feasibility study for the project is expected to be completed in H1 2026. Hudbay said that once the Copper World mine is operational, the company's annual copper production is expected to increase by more than half compared to current levels. The company currently operates copper mines in Canada and Peru. (Comprehensive report by Wen Hua) To learn more about the dynamics of the copper industry chain, you are welcome to attend the CCIE 2025 SMM (20th) Copper Conference & Copper Industry Expo, hosted by SMM, which will be held grandly in Nanchang, Jiangxi from April 22-25, 2025. CCIE 2025 SMM (20th) Copper Conference & Copper Industry Expo ~ Over 3,000 industry elites, representatives from upstream and downstream enterprises of the copper industry chain, government officials, industry associations, third-party equipment, logistics and warehousing, as well as experts from universities and research institutions will gather together. The conference covers mines, smelting, copper processing, trade, recycling, and end-use applications, encompassing the entire copper industry chain. At the event, more than 100 exhibitors will showcase the latest copper processing and smelting equipment, high-quality raw material suppliers, and new-type copper-based materials, highlighting the innovation and vitality of the copper industry. The conference features a variety of exciting activities: the main forum focuses on global copper market trends, raw material supply, policy impacts, and market directions. Sub-forums delve into hot topics in fields such as electrical power transmission and distribution, secondary copper, copper-based new materials, hardware and plumbing, and ESS. During the conference, a two-day field trip will visit 12 representative enterprises in the copper industry with a cumulative capacity of 1 million mt. Sharing cutting-edge technologies and valuable experiences will help upgrade the copper industry chain and promote high-quality industry development. CCIE 2025 SMM (20th) Copper Conference & Copper Industry Expo will help you grasp industry trends, expand your network, and seek business opportunities! SMM cordially invites you to gather in Nanchang, Jiangxi from April 22-25, to unite in the new era and jointly plan for new development!

Xi'an: Vigorously Building Charging and Battery Swapping Infrastructure! On March 27, the Xi'an Municipal Government of Shaanxi Province issued the "Xi'an City Action Plan for Promoting the Achievement of the '14th Five-Year' Air Quality Goals and Air Pollution Control in 2025." The plan proposed to build Xi'an into a demonstration benchmark city for NEV application. It emphasized vigorously constructing charging and battery swapping infrastructure, with a focus on promoting the adoption of new energy in public sector vehicles.

As of March 14, according to SMM, the in-plant inventory of primary lead from major delivery brands stood at 5,700 mt, down by 6,800 mt compared to March 7. This week, China's "Two Sessions" concluded, and air quality in Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei and surrounding areas improved. On March 12, heavy pollution weather alerts in regions such as Hebei, Henan, and Shandong were lifted. Notably, vehicle transportation in Henan resumed normal operations, leading to the transfer of smelter inventories to social warehouses. Additionally, lead prices fluctuated upward during the week, and downstream enterprises gradually engaged in purchasing as needed, which was another factor contributing to the decline in smelter inventories. As the SHFE lead 2503 contract completes delivery next week, we need to pay closer attention to the impact of actual lead market consumption on in-plant inventories.

[Jiyuan Lifts Orange Alert for Heavy Pollution Weather] It is reported that since 12:00 on March 5, 2025, an orange alert for heavy pollution weather was issued across Jiyuan City, Henan Province, with Level II control and emergency response measures implemented. During this period, measures such as reducing production loads, halting production, strengthening pollution control, and imposing restrictions on bulk material transportation were taken in accordance with the control measures outlined in the "one factory, one policy" heavy pollution weather control list. It is understood that the transportation of some vehicles was restricted, temporarily affecting the delivery of lead ingots and scrap. This week, local air quality improved, and Jiyuan City lifted the alert as of midnight today.

[Jiyuan Lifts Orange Alert for Heavy Pollution Weather] It is reported that since 12:00 on March 5, 2025, an orange alert for heavy pollution weather was initiated within the scope of Jiyuan City, Henan Province, implementing Level II control and emergency response. During this period, measures such as reducing production loads, halting production, strengthening pollution control, and imposing restrictions on bulk material transportation were taken in accordance with the control measures outlined in the "one factory, one policy" heavy pollution weather control list. It is understood that the transportation of some vehicles was restricted, temporarily affecting the delivery of lead ingots and scrap. This week, local air quality improved, and Jiyuan City lifted the alert as of midnight today.

[SMM News Flash] According to reports, during the Two Sessions, the air quality has been relatively good, and the overall intensity of environmental protection-driven production restrictions on galvanising enterprises is relatively small. In the Tianjin area, some Grade C galvanising enterprises are required to limit production from March 4 to March 12, while galvanising enterprises of other grades have not yet received production restriction notices. In Hebei province, mainly in the Tangshan area, small and medium-sized galvanising enterprises are implementing varying degrees of self-imposed production restrictions from March 4 to March 12 based on their environmental protection grades and are required to use vehicles meeting China VI vehicle emission standards for transportation. Other areas have not yet received relevant notices.

The National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC) held a meeting on February 27 to advance the work of deepening the pilot cooperation on investment-loan linkage. Liu Sushe, a member of the Party Leadership Group and Deputy Director of the NDRC, attended the meeting and delivered a speech. Representatives from 12 banks, including the China Development Bank, Agricultural Development Bank of China, Industrial and Commercial Bank of China, Agricultural Bank of China, Bank of China, China Construction Bank, and China CITIC Bank, participated in the meeting. The meeting emphasized the need to further identify the convergence points between investment policies and financial policies, continuously expand the scope of cooperation, enrich the content of cooperation, and enhance the quality and efficiency of cooperation. Efforts should be intensified to provide financing support for key national projects and facilitate their smooth implementation. Greater importance should be attached to promoting private investment, with continuous improvements in the convenience of financing for private investment projects. All parties involved in the cooperation mechanism must take responsibility, strengthen coordination and collaboration, and ensure effective linkage between higher and lower levels to solidly advance all aspects of the pilot cooperation on investment-loan linkage, thereby making positive contributions to expanding effective investment and promoting high-quality development.

The model is set to hit the market and commence deliveries by the end of May.