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.

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.

Canadian miner Teck Resources and Korea Zinc have agreed to set treatment charges (TCs) for zinc concentrates at $85 per tonne this year, a slight adjustment from last year’s all-time low of $80 per tonne, four sources told Fastmarkets on Friday March 6.

Commercial aerospace and AI computing power are set to be the primary drivers of demand for the space-based photovoltaics (PV) industry, according to industry sources.

A new US initiative to establish a stockpile of critical minerals for the civilian economy could add pressure to already stretched supply, market participants told Fastmarkets on Tuesday February 3 and Wednesday February 4.

China suspends its ban on gallium exports to the US until 2026. Discover the impact of this significant policy change.

The top end of the price was incorrectly published due to a typographical error. The price was initially published as 16,000-168,000 yuan per tonne. This has been corrected to 16,000-16,800 yuan per tonne. Fastmarkets’ pricing database has been updated to reflect this change.  The affected price is as follows:MB-GER-0004 Germanium 99.999% Ge min, in-whs China, […]

The European Space Agency’s sustainability chief revealed that research into using lunar regolith for solar panel production was accelerating as germanium shortages threatened traditional space power systems.

Three years of war have reshaped the critical metals markets. In the first of a two-part report, we look at how overlapping conflicts have reverberated through supply chains critical to defense and civilian industries.