Chile has launched its largest-ever public–private partnership to exploit lithium, a critical mineral central to electric vehicle batteries and renewable energy tech, potentially surpassing Argentina’s production footprint. The initiative, backed by state and private capital, seeks to attract long-term investment and strengthen Chile’s position in global supply chains, especially amid surging demand from China. Officials argue the country’s abundant lithium reserves and improved regulatory framework make it an ideal candidate for large-scale development. The project aligns with national economic diversification goals while prompting discussions on environmental safeguards and community consultation. Chile’s move reflects broader competition among South American lithium producers for foreign partnerships and market leadership.

Wildfires scorch over 800 hectares; 158 communes on high alert

A wave of wildfires in central and southern Chile has burned more than 800 hectares, including significant forest areas in Las Condes and surrounding regions. The National Forestry Corporation (CONAF) and emergency services report that fires are active across 158 communes, triggering widespread deployment of firefighters, aircraft and community evacuation warnings. Extreme heat and dry conditions have exacerbated fire behaviour, complicating containment efforts. Local authorities activated the “Red Button” emergency alert in multiple municipalities to coordinate rapid response and resource mobilisation. Residents have been urged to follow safety protocols and stay informed on closures and air quality updates. The government has also appealed for inter-regional assistance as the season’s fire risk peaks.

Education regulator mandates “safe classroom” procedures for private schools

Chile’s Superintendency of Education has ordered private schools to adopt “aula segura” (safe classroom) procedures to address incidents of violence , bullying and disruptive behaviour. The directive requires institutions to establish clear protocols for identifying and managing safety risks, protecting students and staff, and reporting serious cases to authorities. The move comes amid rising public concern over school safety and disciplinary consistency across educational settings. Regulators emphasised that safe classroom measures must align with national education standards and child protection norms. Schools must now review internal policies and train personnel to meet the new requirements. Advocates say the policy will create more structured, equitable and enforceable safeguards, while some private school associations seek clarity on implementation timelines and resource support.

Johannes Kaiser outlines “red lines” for potential role in Kast’s government

Johannes Kaiser, leader of Chile’s National Libertarian Party (PNL) and former presidential candidate, met with representatives linked to president‑elect José Antonio Kast to present a set of “red lines”, non‑negotiable conditions for his party’s cooperation with the incoming administration. Kaiser said his group is available to be part of the future government if the conditions that protect its identity and core principles are accepted, framing the lines as a framework for operational cooperation rather than personal appointments. He emphasised that discussions will continue soon to define the scope of possible collaboration, including policy priorities that must be respected. The stipulations reportedly include opposition to the continuation of certain gender and sexual education programmes, reflecting ideological priorities of his libertarian platform. The deliberations are ongoing as both sides gauge how the PNL might support Kast’s agenda without compromising its political identity.

PS and FA defend Communist Party’s mobilisation call against Kast

Chile’s Socialist Party (PS) and Broad Front (FA) have publicly defended a call by the Communist Party (PC) to mobilise against presidential candidate José Antonio Kast, framing protests as a legitimate democratic expression. Facing criticism from opponents who labelled the mobilisation incitement, PS and FA leaders argued that peaceful citizen action addresses deep political divisions and responds to concerns over Kast’s policy agenda on social rights and inequalities. The debate has intensified in public discourse, with voices on both sides warning about polarisation and the tone of campaign rhetoric. PS and FA officials stressed the importance of respecting collective mobilisation within constitutional bounds, while urging all political actors to avoid incitement to violence. The episode reflects broader ideological battles shaping Chile’s electoral environment.

The partnership was formally presented as part of Chile’s National Lithium Strategy, which seeks to increase state participation in the sector while maintaining cooperation with private capital. Nova Andino Litio will oversee the full lithium value chain in the Atacama, from exploration and extraction to production and commercialisation, with operations projected to extend until 2060, according to Codelco.

The launch ceremony brought together key figures from both companies, including Codelco chairman Máximo Pacheco and SQM chief executive Ricardo Ramos, alongside President Gabriel Boric, signalling strong political backing for the initiative. The presence of the head of state underlined the strategic importance the government assigns to lithium as a pillar of Chile’s future economic model.

Speaking at the event, Pacheco framed the alliance as a historic convergence between the country’s largest state-owned and private firms, arguing that it could reposition Chile at the top of global lithium production. Ramos, in turn, expressed confidence that combining the capabilities of both companies would generate greater value than operating separately, pointing to the scale and ambition of the project.

Nova Andino Litio is expected to reach an annual output of around 300,000 tonnes of lithium, a significant increase compared with national production levels in recent years. In a global context marked by rising demand for critical minerals and intensifying competition among producer countries, Chile’s move reflects a broader effort across the Global South to balance sovereignty, investment and long-term control over strategic natural resources.

Yet ironically, both of these superpowers lack significant domestic reserves of many of these minerals. Africa, in contrast, hosts them, from cobalt in the Democratic Republic of Congo to lithium in Zimbabwe and platinum in South Africa .

But much of the value is lost externally. Raw minerals are exported, refined elsewhere, and packaged into high-value goods overseas.

This extract-then-enrich model leaves African countries dependent and undercompensated. The insight is simple: control over resources means control over the future — whether in energy, security, or technological development.

The narrative, however, is shifting. Across the continent, governments and entrepreneurs are pushing to recapture value. Ghana has established a new Ghana Gold Board (GoldBod) to regulate gold trading, buy local output, and discourage smuggling.

Zimbabwe is making a bold move after banning raw lithium ore exports in 2022. The government plans to ban lithium concentrate exports starting January 2027, forcing downstream processing to occur domestically.

Still, challenges remain. Global lithium prices have collapsed from their highs, squeezing margins and putting pressure on miners to survive through volatility.

The geopolitical pressure is also intensifying as China has recently tightened its export controls on rare earths and related technologies, especially around defence and semiconductors, signalling a more assertive posture.

In one incident in 2023, a truck carrying what was declared as chrome was intercepted at the border with Mozambique, only for inspectors to discover the shipment contained raw lithium. The truck and trailer, valued at over $50,000, were impounded for a year, and the transport company was fined $5,000 before recovering the vehicle, the East African reports.

Zimbabwe holds Africa’s largest lithium reserves and is among the world’s top producers of the mineral, which is critical for green energy technologies. However, border officials have admitted to accepting bribes to allow lithium shipments to pass unchecked. Tendai, a former border agent, confirmed his involvement in such schemes and acknowledged being arrested and fined for his role.

Despite efforts by mining companies such as Arcadia and Bikita Minerals to establish local processing operations, illegal exports persist. Gorden Moyo, director of the Public Policy and Research Institute of Zimbabwe, said the trade is sustained by officials and security personnel colluding with politicians and foreign entities, particularly from China, which dominates Zimbabwe’s mining sector.

While the country’s lithium production capacity reportedly grew by 230% between 2022 and 2023, the government has yet to demonstrate whether the export ban has translated into higher revenues. Most of the smuggled lithium is destined for China.

But under the new policy , companies will only be allowed to export refined lithium products, not unprocessed material.

The aim is to keep more of the lithium value chain within Zimbabwe, create jobs, and attract investment in local refining.

The government hopes to follow Indonesia’s example, where a similar ban on nickel exports led to a boom in domestic processing and battery production.

Several Chinese firms, including Sinomine and Huayou Cobalt, have already started building plants in Zimbabwe to make lithium sulphate, a processed material used in battery manufacturing.

Others, such as Canmax, Chengxin and Yahua, may have to do the same if they want to keep buying from Zimbabwe.

The move matters beyond Zimbabwe’s borders. In the first quarter of this year alone, the country exported more than 200,000 tonnes of lithium concentrate to China .

This is enough to produce nearly 26,000 tonnes of lithium carbonate equivalent, a standard unit in the battery industry.

If the export ban takes effect without enough local processing capacity in place, it could create supply delays and force global buyers to look elsewhere but if Zimbabwe succeeds, it could become a more powerful player in the global lithium market.

The shift highlights how countries rich in natural resources are demanding more than just royalties. They want a bigger share of the benefits from the global green energy transition.

As demand for electric vehicles and battery storage rises, Zimbabwe’s move is a clear signal that supply chains will depend as much on national policies as on geology.

The company, backed by a venture affiliated with billionaires Bill Gates and Jeff Bezos, wrote to Congolese President Felix Tshisekedi’s office earlier this year, stating it “would welcome the opportunity to develop the asset.”

In the letter to the DRC government, KoBold Metals' Chief Legal Officer, Sandy Alexander, outlined a proposal to resolve ongoing disputes and accelerate the development of the Manono lithium deposit.

KoBold Metals operates across 70 projects spanning five continents. In 2023, the company invested $150 million in Zambia to explore the Copperbelt region, where it has already drilled 50,000 meters at the Mingomba mine, which is expected to become the country's largest copper mine upon completion.

The move comes as the global demand for lithium surges, driven by its crucial role in electric vehicle (EV) batteries and renewable energy technologies.

KoBold Metals recently raised $537 million in a funding round, bringing its valuation to nearly $3 billion.

The nation boasts nearly 8,000 deposits encompassing approximately 90 different minerals, with about 20 being economically significant. Notably, Ukraine holds substantial reserves of coal, iron ore, manganese, titanium, and uranium, among others. ​

With iron ore reserves estimated at 28 billion tons , Ukraine ranks among the world's top producers, supplying significant quantities to the global market. ​Additionally, the country possesses around 3 billion tons of manganese ore, essential for steel production. ​

For titanium, Ukraine is the world's sixth-largest producer of a metal vital for aerospace and other high-tech industries. Significant lithium deposits, such as the Shevchenko deposit in Donetsk Oblast, also position Ukraine as a potential key supplier for the burgeoning electric vehicle market. ​

This richness is why the US in February 2025 sought to sign a minerals deal which was also central to Kyiv's push to secure Washington's support. The agreement aimed to establish a Reconstruction Investment Fund to harness revenues from Ukraine's mineral wealth, with Ukraine contributing 50% of its resource revenues until it reaches $500 billion. ​

The agreement, however, 'hit a wall' after a faceoff between Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and US President Donald Trump at the Oval Office on Friday, February 28.

Finance Minister Mthuli Ncube announced the proposal during his presentation of the 2025 national budget in Parliament on Thursday, November 28, 2024.

"Cognisant of the need to promote the use of eco-friendly vehicles, which will result in reduced carbon emissions, I propose to reduce customs duty on electric motor vehicles, with effect from 1 January 2025," Ncube said.

Ncube also proposed duty rebates on equipment used to establish solar-powered EV charging stations. These rebates will apply to equipment imported by approved operators, signalling the government’s commitment to supporting sustainable energy solutions.

The minister underscored the importance of addressing climate change through innovative approaches. "We must leverage our natural resources to combat climate-related challenges effectively," he emphasised.

Zimbabwe’s push for EV adoption aligns with its ambitious goal of achieving 33% market penetration for electric vehicles by 2030. As the largest lithium producer in Africa and ranking fifth globally, Zimbabwe holds significant potential in the production of lithium-ion batteries—the core technology powering EVs.

The country’s vast lithium reserves could position Zimbabwe as a leader in Africa’s green energy transition, bolstering its economy and aligning with the government’s National Development Strategy (NDS1) to achieve upper-middle-income status by 2030.

Speaking at an investment summit in Nasarawa, President Bola Tinubu encouraged lithium-rich states across the country to seize opportunities in the mining sector, highlighting lithium's crucial role in shaping the future, TVCNews reports

"The 4,000 tonnes per day processing plant is a testament to the state's commitment to investments. I urge other states to follow Nasarawa's example by intensifying efforts to attract investors. Initiatives like this investment summit are pivotal in showcasing the vast opportunities awaiting investors across all sectors of the Nigerian economy," President Tinubu stated.

Emphasising the importance of lithium, President Tinubu described it as "the future" and stressed the need for proactive measures to capitalise on the global demand for lithium by establishing additional processing plants in lithium-rich states throughout Nigeria.

"Lithium is the future," he said, adding, "Manufacturers have continued to produce cars powered by lithium batteries. Therefore, as a country, we must prepare for this by ensuring we take full advantage of the global demand for lithium by developing even more processing plants in Nasarawa and across other states rich in lithium in Nigeria as a whole," as quoted by local media Punch .

Amaranthcx reports that projects including the Arcadia lithium project, initially developed by Australian firm Prospect Resources, have emerged as some of the biggest in Zimbabwe.

Acquired by Chinese company Zhejiang Huayou Cobalt for $378 million in 2022, the project has since attracted an additional $300 million investment for mine and processing plant development, targeting an annual output of 450,000 tonnes of lithium concentrate.

The Bikita Minerals, which is said to be the world ’s largest producer of petalite concentrate for the glass and glass ceramic industry has been producing tantalum since 2018.  Owned by Hong Kong-based Sinomine Rare Metals Resources, the company is undergoing transformation with a reported $300 million investment, including the construction of a new spodumene concentrate plant.

As part of efforts to boost Zimbabwe’s Lithium industry, Premier African Minerals Ltd is investing in the Zulu lithium and tantalum pegmatite deposit with the backing of Suzhou TA&A Ultra Clean Technology towards the production of about 50,000 tonnes of lithium concentrate annually.

Other mines including Sabi Star Lithium Mine, Kamativi Mine, and the Sandawana Mines are contributing massively to the growth of lithium mining in the country.

Meanwhile, other countries like the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), Namibia, and South Africa are also witnessing significant development in lithium mining. 

Homeland Security Investigations (HIS) returned a collection of dinosaur fossils to Mongolia at a ceremony at the Library of Congress. The fossils were recovered through investigations in Arizona, New York, and Wyoming. The collection includes rare Mongolian fossils such as a tyrannosaurus bataar skull and an alioramus skull. The repatriation demonstrates the strong partnership between Mongolia and the United States in preserving cultural heritage. HSI has also overseen repatriations of cultural property to other countries and institutions. According to the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement , since 2007, HSI investigations have led to the repatriation of over 20,000 objects to more than 40 countries.

Mongolia moves to curb desertification

Inner Mongolia is employing a new approach to combat desertification by combining sand control with wind and solar power projects. The Manila Times reports that the region aims to treat nearly 800,000 hectares of desert using this method by 2030. It is also working on integrating sand control and green energy production, with the goal of treating 1 million hectares of desert this year and 6.46 million hectares by 2030. This innovative approach aims to achieve multiple benefits, including increasing greenery, energy, and income. Additionally, Inner Mongolia has created millions of hectares of forests and grassland since 2012 and has treated nearly 10 million hectares of desert.

Work on coal railway

Progress Rail has delivered the first four of 16 SD70ACe/LW locomotives for the Tavan Tolgoi coal railway in Mongolia. The diesel-electric locos have a 3 355 kW engine, maximum speed of 120 km/h, and are equipped with remote monitoring and diagnostic systems. The railway connects the coal deposits in the Gobi desert to an inland port near the Chinese border, the Railway Gazette reports.

Climbers go missing during expedition

Two climbers from Mongolia, Usukhjargal Tsedendamba and Purevsuren Lkhagvajav, have gone missing during an Everest expedition. They were last seen ascending to the peak from the fourth camp on May 13. A search operation is underway with the help of rescue management agencies. The expedition was arranged by Eight K Expeditions Pvt Ltd, according to The Annapurna Express .

Mongolia-Japan cooperation

Mongolia and the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) are planning to cooperate on food safety. The Chairman of the Mongolian Parliament Zandanshatar Gombojav met with a delegation from JICA to discuss sharing best practices and information on Japan's agricultural development. Akipress reports that Mongolia is eager to continue cooperation in the future and organise a discussion based on JICA's study.

The 15-year lease, according to a statement signed by the Minister of Lands and Natural Resources Samuel Jinapor, “may be renewed from time to time in accordance with the Minerals and Mining Act 2006 (Act 703)".

The lease, upon implementation, will be laid before Parliament for ratification.

The deal is a significant leap towards development particularly because lithium which is considered the gold of the electrification world, will be able to boost areas like the production of batteries for electric vehicles in the country.

The mineral is also used for rechargeable batteries for phones, laptops and cameras.

The government of Ghana, through the deal, will be entitled to thirteen percent (13%) interest in the rights and obligations of the mineral operations of the Company “as free carried interest in respect of which financial contributions shall not be paid by the Government,” parts of the statement said.

The government is also expected to benefit from a royalty of ten percent (10%) of the total revenue earned from the sale of the minerals obtained from the lease area.

More importantly, the lands ministry has clearly outlined mining area specifications for the company’s operations to ensure that restricted and reserved areas are not abused or exploited.