The Elements of Innovation Discovered

Articles written by Shane Lasley


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  • A geologist’s hammer on top of orange- and silver-colored rocks.

    AI powers Montana critical minerals search

    Shane Lasley, Metal Tech News|Updated Nov 22, 2024

    VerAI's mineral discovery tech identifies larger rare earths, gallium potential across US Critical Materials' Sheep Creek project in Montana. The AI-powered mineral exploration technology developed by VerAI Discoveries Inc. has identified the potential for large bodies of high-grade rare earths, gallium, and a suite of other critical minerals ready to be discovered with drilling at US Critical Materials Corp.'s Sheep Creek project in southwestern Montana. Sampling on the...

  • Two Caterpillar mining trucks hauling rock out of a stone quarry.

    Blue light signals Cat automation growth

    Shane Lasley, Metal Tech News|Updated Nov 22, 2024

    Caterpillar debuts aggregate sector-sized autonomous haul trucks at Luck Stone Quarry in Virginia. "Blue lights are on! One of my favorite phrases signaling another customer site is using Caterpillar Inc.'s autonomous solution," Caterpillar Resource Industries Group President Denise Johnson penned in a LinkedIn post celebrating the debut of its newest class of Cat automated mining trucks at Luck Stone Corp.'s Bull Run aggregate plant in Virginia. The flashing blue lights sets...

  • Two workers drill into the face of underground cobalt mine.

    Electra gets okay to explore Idaho cobalt

    Shane Lasley, Metal Tech News|Updated Nov 19, 2024

    Receives 10-year federal permit to expand upon deposits within the famed Idaho Cobalt Belt. With a federal 10-year exploration permit in its pocket, Electra Battery Materials Corp. has the flexibility and time to thoroughly evaluate its Idaho Cobalt Belt properties, which host some of the only potential primary sources of cobalt outside the Democratic Republic of Congo. So far, Electra has outlined 4.5 million metric tons of indicated resource averaging 0.19% (18.4 million pou...

  • A gloved hand installs a processor on a computer’s motherboard.

    Tech metals bans could cost U.S. billions

    Shane Lasley, Metal Tech News|Updated Nov 19, 2024

    USGS estimates that the U.S. economy would take a $2.4 billion hit if China banned exports of gallium and germanium. From household appliances to high-end electronics, gallium and germanium are essential elements to a wide array of products manufactured in the United States. American manufacturers, however, must rely heavily on imports from China for both of these critical minerals. A cutoff of this supply could send America's gross domestic product (GDP) plummeting by $3.4...

  • Closeup of the cut-off ends of ten copper wire cables.

    Critical copper bill passes out of House

    Shane Lasley, Metal Tech News|Updated Nov 19, 2024

    Congressman Ciscomani's bill to include copper and other energy materials on critical minerals list receives strong bipartisan support, Copper is so essential to wiring the energy transition that the World Bank estimates global mining operations will need to produce as much of this ubiquitous metal over the next 25 years as has been mined over the 5,000 years since the dawn of the Bronze Age. Despite the economic and geopolitical implications of a world demanding 1.1 trillion...

  • Sparks arc from molten steel being poured into a vat.

    Rio Tinto forges green steel partnership

    Shane Lasley, Metal Tech News|Updated Nov 18, 2024

    Joins forces with GravitHy in to produce an ultra-low-carbon iron product for steelmaking. Continuing its global leadership in decarbonizing steelmaking, Rio Tinto is helping to accelerate GravithHy's project aimed at slashing ironmaking-related carbon dioxide emissions by more than 90%. From the humblest of paper clips to the tallest skyscrapers, steel forms the framework for modern living. The process of transforming raw iron ore into steel, however, is responsible for...

  • AI-generated image of a diamond holding digital information.

    Diamonds hold the key to quantum computing

    Shane Lasley, Metal Tech News|Updated Nov 12, 2024

    German scientists demonstrate that precious gems can encapsulate entangled qubits, the quantum version of bits in classic computers. Considering that quantum computers have the potential to solve complex problems in a matter of seconds that would take today's most advanced supercomputers decades to answer, scientists around the world are racing to overcome the challenges associated with developing a quantum computer that is efficient, reliable, and compatible with existing...

  • African woman mine worker in an orange hard hat and jacket sitting outside.

    Critical Minerals Africa Group is formed

    Shane Lasley, Metal Tech News|Updated Nov 11, 2024

    CMAG is on a mission to foster relationships the will unlock Africa's vast critical mineral potential. Sub-Saharan Africa is estimated to host nearly one-third of the world's proven critical minerals reserves but has struggled to have its voice heard when it comes to global critical minerals policy and supply chains. The newly launched Critical Minerals Africa Group (CMAG) aims to provide African policymakers, business leaders, and citizens a seat at the table when it comes...

  • Graphic of satellite collecting and transmitting mineral exploration data.

    Gravity of space-based mineral exploration

    Shane Lasley, Metal Tech News|Updated Nov 5, 2024

    Fleet Space adds gravity surveys to ExoSphere, providing mining clients with an even more powerful mineral exploration solution. The satellite-enabled and AI-enhanced ExoSphere mineral exploration solution has already attracted the attention of Rio Tinto, Barrick Gold, and other global mining companies that are using this subsurface imaging technology to discover buried deposits of cobalt, copper, lithium, nickel, and other critical metals. Fleet Space Technologies, the...

  • Closeup of a metallic gold-colored periodic table entry for nickel.

    Manitoba First Nation buys nickel mine

    Shane Lasley, Metal Tech News|Updated Nov 4, 2024

    Norway House Cree Nation acquisition of Minago brings ESG advantages to near-development nickel-PGM project. In a deal that could result in an Indigenous-owned mine delivering energy transition metals into North America's supply chains, the Norway House Cree Nation has acquired the Minago nickel-platinum group metals (PGM) project in Manitoba from Flying Nickel Corp. for nearly C$9 million ($6.5 million). "By taking full control with 100% ownership and management, we can...

  • Large mining truck with a load of dirt in the Arizona desert.

    Newmont receives battery mining truck

    Shane Lasley, Metal Tech News|Updated Oct 30, 2024

    A 240-metric-ton Early Learner Cat 793 XE delivered to Colorado gold mine – batteries included ... some assembly required. Marking a major milestone along the path to achieving the net-zero-carbon-emissions targets set by Newmont Corp. and the wider mining sector, the world's largest gold mining company has received its first battery-electric large mining truck at the Cripple Creek and Victor (CC&V) mine in Colorado. "As we look toward the future, our focus remains on creating...

  • A trail exposes white salts under red rocks at a South American lithium project.

    Rio Tinto explores for lithium from space

    Shane Lasley, Metal Tech News|Updated Oct 29, 2024

    Joins a growing number of mining companies leveraging Fleet Space's satellite-enabled and AI-powered mineral exploration technology. Toward its longstanding commitment to finding a better way to provide the minerals and metals the world needs, Rio Tinto is leveraging Fleet Space Technologies' satellite-enabled ExoSphere mineral exploration solution to gain greater insights into what lies below the surface at its Rincon lithium mine project in Argentina. "Rio Tinto and Fleet...

  • The periodic symbol for hydrogen over the Earth centered on the U.S. at night.

    Exploring Alaska for geological hydrogen

    Shane Lasley, Metal Tech News|Updated Oct 28, 2024

    Granite Creek assembles the catalyst-rich projects, scientific expertise to become a first mover in the geological hydrogen space. A belt of rocks spanning the Southeast Alaska Panhandle hosts at least a dozen prospects and deposits enriched with nickel, copper, and platinum group metals (PGM) needed for the energy transition. Could these projects also host hidden stores of geological hydrogen that could offer a clean-burning fuel for the 21st century? Granite Creek Copper...

  • Three rows of columns connected with pipes, wiring and valves.

    Ucore readies RapidSX for copy and paste

    Shane Lasley, Metal Tech News|Updated Oct 25, 2024

    Pentagon-backed testing to demonstrate company's rare earths separation tech outperforms its antiquated predecessor. With the backing of the U.S. Department of Defense and the Canadian government, Ucore Rare Metals Inc. is making headway toward establishing a North American plant that will deliver a secure supply of the rare earth elements essential to a wide array of household goods, high-tech devices, military hardware, and clean energy technologies. Developing a technology...

  • Composite photo of Arkansas flag and barrel of white lithium powder.

    Arkansas sits atop a sea of lithium

    Shane Lasley, Metal Tech News|Updated Oct 22, 2024

    USGS estimates the Smackover Formation under Arkansas hosts enough lithium for more than 625 million EVs. By applying next-generation machine learning to old-fashioned water sampling, the U.S. Geological Survey estimates that there is enough lithium dissolved in salty waters beneath Arkansas to keep America supplied with this critical battery metal for decades. Arkansas happens to sit atop a particularly lithium-rich area of the Smackover Formation, the relic of an ancient sea...

  • A smartphone displaying the Export-Import Bank of the United States website.

    EXIM offers a $325M loan to Graphite One

    Shane Lasley, Metal Tech News|Updated Oct 18, 2024

    The U.S. export bank debt financing will help fund a plant in Ohio that will produce graphite needed for lithium-ion batteries. To help support the establishment of a domestic mine-to-EVs graphite supply chain, the Export-Import Bank of the United States (EXIM) has invited Graphite One Inc. to apply for a $325 million loan to build its planned advanced anode material (AAM) processing plant in Ohio. "Based on the preliminary information submitted regarding expected U.S....

  • A pile of blue-green colored nickel sulfate powder.

    Clean battery-grade nickel from BC project

    Shane Lasley, Metal Tech News|Updated Oct 17, 2024

    Pilot tests demonstrate that a mine site hydrometallurgical refinery at Baptiste could produce high-quality, low-carbon nickel sulfate. A recently completed pilot-scale program has confirmed the idea that a hydrometallurgical refinery built alongside a mine at FPX Nickel Corp.'s Baptiste project in British Columbia could offer a significant supply of low-carbon battery-grade nickel sulfate for North America's energy transition. "Baptiste would represent an almost 50% increase...

  • Photo of a Cadillac Lyriq plugged into a charger in a colorful photo setting.

    GM buys JV stake in Nevada lithium mine

    Shane Lasley, Metal Tech News|Updated Oct 16, 2024

    Automaker to invest $625 million for 38% JV interest in Lithium America's Thacker Pass. To help ensure that it has a reliable and Inflation Reduction Act-compliant source of the lithium needed for its growing line of electric vehicles, General Motors has agreed to invest an additional $625 million to acquire a 38% joint venture interest in Lithium Americas Corp.'s Thacker Pass mine and processing plant in northern Nevada. "We're pleased with the significant progress Lithium...

  • Panoramic view of a large iron ore industrial complex in Australia.

    Fortescue has a problem with net-zero

    Shane Lasley, Mining News|Updated Oct 15, 2024

    Sets higher goal of Real Zero by 2030, challenges colleagues to adopt aggressive climate targets. Most mining companies do not lead their climate goals page with "We're part of the problem." Australia-based iron ore producer Fortescue is not like most mining companies when it comes to admitting it is "a heavy emitter" or setting carbon dioxide reduction targets that are much more aggressive than their peers or even those outlined in the Paris Agreement. While most major...

  • AI-generated photo of battery in a pile of salt with blue lightning bolts.

    Sodium battery anodes in just 30 seconds

    Shane Lasley, Metal Tech News|Updated Oct 14, 2024

    The secret to serving up the perfect sodium-ion battery is to slow-cook the cathode and microwave the anode. On the heels of an Argonne National Laboratory discovery that demonstrates slow heating is the secret to more durable and longer-lasting sodium-ion battery cathodes, a research team at the Nano Hybrid Technology Research Center of the Korea Electrotechnology Research Institute (KERI) found that the best way to prepare the anode material is to stick it in the microwave...

  • AI rendering of copper world globe on top of a pile of copper.

    Rio Tinto backs six mining tech startups

    Shane Lasley, Metal Tech News|Updated Oct 10, 2024

    Founders Factory unveils first cohort of companies developing innovative solutions for more productive and sustainable mining. Founders Factory has unveiled the first cohort of startups under its Mining Tech Accelerator, a program being advanced in partnership with Rio Tinto to discover and foster breakthrough technologies with the potential to transform the way mining companies deliver the minerals and metals the world needs. To build upon its legacy of innovation and...

  • A large Hitachi mining haul truck inside the Las Vegas Convention Center.

    Hitachi zeros in on sustainable mining

    Shane Lasley, Metal Tech News|Updated Oct 8, 2024

    Heavy equipment manufacturer showcases Zero Emissions, Zero Downtime, and Zero Entry mines strategy at MINExpo 2024. Hitachi Construction Machinery Americas' 25,500-square-foot booth at MINExpo 2024 featured equipment and innovation focused on addressing its mining customers' top priorities – reducing carbon emissions, increasing productivity, and improving safety. During the world's largest mining show, the Japanese heavy equipment manufacturer provided insights into a t...

  • A white electronic device on a rocky and treeless high desert landscape.

    Gold Fields deploys ExoSphere in Chile

    Shane Lasley, Metal Tech News|Updated Oct 4, 2024

    Sees satellite-enabled mineral exploration tech as an ideal solution for its gold-silver-silver copper mine in the Andes Mountains of Northern Chile. As part of its ongoing commitment to leveraging new technologies that maximize productivity and minimize its environmental footprint in some of the harshest conditions on Earth, Gold Fields has deployed Fleet Space Technologies' ExoSphere mineral exploration solution to expand upon its reserves of gold, silver, and copper at the...

  • A more than two-story-tall mining truck inside the Las Vegas Convention Center.

    Liebherr grabs MINExpo 2024 spotlight

    Shane Lasley, Metal Tech News|Updated Oct 1, 2024

    German firm unveils $2.8 billion zero-emissions mining equipment partnership with Fortescue. MINEXPO INTERNATIONAL 2024, LAS VEGAS – Grabbing the spotlight during the world's largest mining event is no small feat. A historic $2.8 billion partnership to further advance the technologies needed for zero-emissions mining, however, put German heavy equipment manufacturer Liebherr and West Australian miner Fortescue front and center during the main event that comes around just o...

  • White, yellow, black, and grey piles of powdered rare earth elements.

    Wyoming rare earth plant back on track

    Shane Lasley, Metal Tech News|Updated Sep 30, 2024

    Rare Element Resources receives federal authorization and funding to proceed with first-of-its-kind rare earth separation plant. Following a few months of slowed progress due to inflationary pressures pushing the costs to build its rare earths processing and separation demonstration plant above budget, Rare Element Resources Ltd. says the critical minerals facility being installed just outside of Upton, Wyoming, is on track to begin operations by the end of the year. Last...

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