Tata Steel and Hindustan Zinc announced on Monday, 25 March 2026, a partnership to incorporate EcoZen, a sustainable and environmentally friendly steel production solution, producing low carbon-zinc. HZL’s EcoZen is manufactured using renewable energy and has a certified carbon footprint of less than 1 tonne of CO₂ equivalent per tonne of zinc, around 75% lower than the global industry average of production. This allows downstream industries to significantly reduce toxic emissions across the value chain.

Kazakhstan-based steelmaker Qarmet has announced a strategic expansion of its Kentobe iron ore deposit, aiming to transition the site from an open-pit operation to a massive underground mining complex. Supported by a broader $400 million investment program, construction of the underground facility will commence in 2028 to tap into reserves exceeding 100 million metric tons. This modernization will secure long-term raw material supplies for Qarmet's metallurgical operations, lifting the site's annual iron ore output from the current 750,000 metric tons to over 850,000 metric tons in the near term.

According to industry sources on the 25th, the French government announced the launch of the “France Batterie” alliance at the gigafactory of Automotive Cell Company (ACC) located in Billy-Berclau, northern France. ProLogium Technology, a solid-state battery company backed by investments from POSCO and EV Advanced Materials, has joined the alliance.

The European Commission will update Emissions Trading System (ETS) free allocation benchmarks and utilize the Market Stability Reserve to curb carbon price volatility "within days". President von der Leyen announced a medium-term ETS review to establish a "realistic trajectory" for free allowances beyond 2034. The EU is also proposing a $35 billion "ETS Investment Booster" fund to finance decarbonization projects, prioritizing lower-income states. To address soaring energy costs, the Commission plans to allow member states to reduce grid charges for energy-intensive industries and mandate lower taxes on electricity compared to fossil fuels. This follows intense pressure from steelmakers and EU nations demanding an urgent ETS overhaul by July.

JSL has successfully commissioned a new 1.2 million tonnes per annum (MTPA) stainless steel melt shop (SMS) in Indonesia ahead of schedule through a joint venture. This milestone brings the company's total annual melting capacity to 4.2 MTPA, reinforcing its raw material security and integrated growth strategy. Concurrently, JSL announced a fresh investment of approximately $108 million (₹900 crore) to augment its cold rolling capacities at its Hisar and Kharagpur facilities in India, expected to be operational by Q2 FY28. These combined upstream and downstream expansions are tailored to produce high-value, thinner cold-rolled products, strategically positioning the company to target a global sales volume of 3.5 MTPA by FY29 with a projected double-digit compound annual growth rate.

Recently, the official account of Shaanxi Construction No. 7 Construction Group announced that Phase I of the 200 MW/301.75 MWh hybrid frequency regulation ESS power station project in the Yuncheng Economic and Technological Development Zone, Shanxi, which it undertook, was successfully connected to the grid and officially entered the trial operation stage. The project mainly includes the construction of a 50 MW flywheel independent frequency regulation ESS, a 150 MW LFP electrochemical ESS, a 220 kV substation, and supporting facilities, adopting a hybrid model of “flywheel energy storage + LFP electrochemical energy storage.”

Coordinating Minister Airlangga Hartarto announced Thursday that Indonesia is evaluating a coal export tax following a meeting with President Prabowo Subianto. The tax aims to capture "windfall profits" from surging global energy prices to boost state revenue and offset fiscal pressure from rising domestic fuel costs. While specific rates are under review, Hartarto emphasized that a broader windfall tax remains an option if high commodity prices persist. Currently, as there is no official regulations being released for the specific export tax or windfall tax being implemented to commodities, SMM will continue to monitor with the update of the regulations.

[SMM Rare Earth Bulletin] Chilean rare earth producer Aclara Resources announced that its rare earth separation pilot plant in Blacksburg, Virginia, has commenced operations. The plant sources mixed rare earth carbonate from the company’s ionic clay deposits in Brazil and Chile, and is designed to produce dysprosium, terbium, and Pr-Nd. It is expected to produce light rare earth oxides for the first time in May 2026 and heavy rare earth oxides in August.

According to foreign media reports, the Odisha state government recently announced that it will auction 34 mineral sites in the 2026-27 fiscal year, including 25 major mineral sitesand 9 key strategic mineral sites, distributed across 12 districts—Keonjhar, Sundargarh, Mayurbhanj, Balangir, Rayagaada, Nuapada, Deogarh, Kalahandi, Subarnapur, Nayagarh, Malkangiri, and Koraput. The 25 major mining sites include 5 iron ore sites, 6 bauxite sites, 4 mixed iron-manganese sites, 3 quartz sites, 2 limestone sites, 1 manganese sites, 1 copper sites, and several mixed sites.

On Wednesday, March 25, Australia announced it will invest A$2 billion (US$1.4 billion) over 10 years to support the continued operation of Rio Tinto's Boyne smelter, the country's second-largest aluminum smelter. Federal Industry Minister Tim Ayres stated that the investment, shared equally by the federal and Queensland governments, will bring nearly A$7.5 billion in new investment to Queensland, with Rio Tinto covering the energy asset investment. This financial support will ensure that Boyne Smelters Limited, majority-owned by Rio Tinto, continues aluminum production after its existing power contract expires in 2029, and at least until 2040.