The Democratic Republic of Congo’s (DRC) move to extend its export window for cobalt quotas has been viewed as potentially easing supply tightness, although the immediate market reaction has been limited.

Growing uncertainty over Guinea’s bauxite export policy, alongside severe disruption to alumina supply chains caused by the closure of the Strait of Hormuz, emerged as key themes at the Fastmarkets Bauxite & Alumina Conference in Miami on March 24-25, with delegates warning of heightened price volatility and shifting trade flows.

The Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) may have exported less than half of the volumes allocated to miners for the fourth quarter of 2025, extended to the end of the first quarter of 2026, under the country's new quota system, sources told Fastmarkets in the week to Wednesday March 25.

Why overcoming finance hurdles in mining is crucial for securing critical minerals and powering the global shift to clean energy

An interview with Sir Mick Davis, former CEO of Xstrata, founder and CEO of Vision Blue Resources, on financing in mining with Andrea Hotter for the Fast Forward podcast

Guinea’s long-anticipated intervention in the bauxite market is beginning to take shape.

Blue Moon Metals’ acquisition of the past-producing Apex mine in Utah from Canadian miner Teck Resources is the latest example of the push to boost gallium and germanium production in the West. But for miners seeking to cash in on higher prices of these metals, smelting arrangements remain a question.

Rio Tinto Aluminium is expanding its footprint beyond its historic hydro-powered Canadian base, targeting Europe, Asia and Latin America as part of a deliberate diversification strategy, according to the unit’s chief executive officer.

The webinar “Lithium in South America: An overview of the present and future,” presented the chance to gain valuable insights into the key dynamics currently influencing the lithium markets in South America, alongside expectations for how the regional and global outlook may evolve.

The European Union’s Industrial Accelerator Act (IAA), published on Wednesday March 4, was a new step in the bloc’s efforts to decarbonize heavy industry and to support strategic supply chains in sectors such as steel, cement and aluminium.