.jpeg)
1) A US judge ordered regulators to reconsider part of the permit approving Lithium Americas Corp lithium project, Thacker Pass which would allow for construction to begin and reject claims that the project would cause unnecessary environmental harm. The mine would be North America's largest source of lithium which is a critical component of an electric vehicle's battery, needed in order to reach the Biden's administrations goals for electrification and not relying on foreign countries on critical minerals. Chief Judge Miranda Du ordered the BLM to determine whether roughly 1,300 acres at the Thacker Pass site where the company hopes to store waste rock or tailings contains lithium. Federal officials had told the court last month they believe the entire site contains lithium. Jon Evans, the CEO said in an interview that "there is evidence in the record of lithium mineralization throughout the project area," adding that this is "an easy fix." He also added that site preparation should begin almost immediately with construction starting in the summer and lasting about 3 years.
2) Indonesia has become the world's second-largest cobalt producer, as it wants to become a major player in the electric vehicle supply chain. According to US government data, Indonesia surpassed Russia and Australia to claim the 2-spot last year. Analysts say that this will continue into the decade as the world begins to ease off the reliance on the Democratic Republic of Congo, which supplies about 67% of the world's cobalt currently. Indonesia's president, Joko Widodo, has been aggressively pushing for the country to ban some key minerals such as nickel and copper, to strengthen its economy and be a dominant player in the global mineral supply chain. Indonesia already produces about half the world's nickel, and has numerous rich resources that can help propel the country forward economically, and help ease the transition away from fossil fuels.