Capital is flowing back into junior mining, but selectively. Investment is increasingly favouring development‑stage assets with clearer paths to production, supported by government funding and strategic partnerships. While demand for critical minerals underpins the cycle, early‑stage explorers continue to struggle for capital as investors prioritise discipline, ESG alignment and near‑term cash flow.

US-based Lyten is linking its battery manufacturing ambitions to the rapid expansion of data center infrastructure, while using former Northvolt assets to accelerate its scale-up, its chief marketing officer said in an interview on Thursday April 23.

From ultra-fast charging and vertical integration to global expansion and shifting consumer expectations, Stella explains how BYD is redefining what it means to be a carmaker, positioning the vehicle as a technology hub rather than simply a mode of transport.

In this episode of Fast Forward, Andrea Hotter speaks with Stella Li, executive vice president at BYD, one of the world’s fastest-growing electric vehicle and battery companies. From ultra-fast charging and vertical integration to global expansion and shifting consumer expectations, Stella explains how BYD is redefining what it means to be a carmaker.

The US has stepped up calls for its allies to accept higher costs for sourcing critical minerals outside China, arguing that supply chain security must take precedence over price efficiency – a stance that is reshaping expectations across metals markets but has yet to translate into durable pricing support.

For decades, tungsten sat on the margins of US industrial policy. Despite its essential role in armor piercing munitions, aerospace alloys and advanced manufacturing, the ultra hard metal was sourced overwhelmingly from China, while US domestic mining faded from view.

Osaka, Japan-headquartered Daikin Industries, the world’s largest air conditioner manufacturer, is partnering with Shin-Etsu Chemical, Hitachi and Tokyo Eco Recycle to recover and recycle rare earth magnets from compressors starting in 2027, the companies said in a joint statement on Tuesday April 14.

Aluminium markets in the US and Mexico are facing an unprecedented mix of geopolitical disruption, trade policy shifts and tightening supply conditions.

Military readiness relies on a narrow set of industrial inputs that enable advanced systems to function under extreme conditions. As supply chains become more complicated and politicised, securing reliable access to these materials is emerging as a strategic challenge for the defense industry.

An interview in which Andrea Hotter spoke with Jon Stibbs, managing editor for technology and energy metals, to explore a growing concern for global defense supply chains.