CRITICAL MINERALS ESSENTIALS
Sector Commentary Archive
Each week, our team delivers in-depth commentary on the critical materials sector, covering market trends, geopolitical shifts, supply chain challenges, and key developments in mining and exploration. Staying informed in this rapidly evolving industry is essential for understanding emerging opportunities and navigating risks.
Explore our archive below to catch up on past insights, and subscribe today to receive these timely updates directly in your inbox every Friday.
Global Gains & Metal Pain, Beijing Targets Exports (Again), and Brazil's Resource Pivot
In a week marked by high drama in Seoul, Paris, and Bogotá, markets largely maintained the year's trend. Crypto, semiconductors, gold, the S&P 500, the Russell 2000, Taiwan's Taiex, and Japan's Nikkei extended their gains.
Volatile Markets & AI Surge, Resource Trade Tensions, and Cobalt’s Collapse Continues
This week, markets turned to their financial bunkers as Crazy Vlad’s latest nuclear saber-rattling sent investors scrambling for gold, German Bunds, and safe-haven currencies like the Swiss Franc and Japanese Yen.
Dollar Rallies & Copper Slips, Critical Minerals in Political Crossfire, and Lithium Slump Signals Shift
Global investors are positioning for higher growth and higher, entrenched inflation. China's prospects, which remain dim, are countering this trend, except for the roaring export sector.
Critical Minerals Markets Turmoil, Trump's Energy Rollback Fears, & Rare Earths Supply Uncertainty
A string of blows against the future of energy transition kneecapped critical mineral stocks this week, with a particularly painful reversal in the battery material sector.
Bubbly Chinese Equity, EU Tariffs Hit Chinese EVs, & Graphite Supply Chain Shifts
October showed some promise in the critical minerals space. Permitting breakthroughs, favorable court decisions, M&A moves, and some fund inflows brought the sector into the fringes of the market's limelight.
High Yields Stalls Equity Rally, US Tariffs on China’s Critical Minerals, & Canada’s Orphaned Lithium Projects
US yields have jumped on the back of stronger-than-expected US economic data. Or is the bond market starting to price in a GOP sweep and an ensuing Trumpflation?
WA & South Korea Tie-Ups, China Cries Wolf to the WTO, and Nickel Remains Fickle
After a positive start to the week the Chinese market eased this week despite a raft of Government promises seeing the REMX benchmark down over 2.5% for the week.
Chinese Market Gyrations, EU Slaps Tariffs on China’s EVs, & Cobalt Market Blues
This is getting ridiculous. Lithium prices are flat, but earlier this week in China, Zhejiang Huayou, Ganfeng Lithium, and Tianqi Lithium all went up 10%.
The Fed’s Elusive Respite, Germany Rejects Investment Plan, & Lithium Inventory Cycle
Pity those who planned to trade around the Fed’s Wednesday decision. The 50bp cut first sent the market up before seeing it crash and close in negative territory.
Sharp Rebound in Critical Minerals, Canada-China Spat, & a Federal Price Backstop
Following three weeks of steady losses, critical minerals finally saw a V-shaped turnaround, and this time, it was driven by easily identifiable, sector-specific news.