Australia expanded its list of critical minerals deemed crucial to its energy transition and national security needs as the country boosts the strategically and economically important sector.

Base metals miner First Quantum has entered into a memorandum of understanding with Australian junior Raiden Resources’ Mt Sholl nickel/copper/platinum group elements (PGE) project, in Western Australia.

Nickel Industries and Glencore have entered into a maiden nickel matte sales contract to commence in January 2024.

PT United Tractors Tbk. (UNTR) announced that it had acquired the Stargate mine for IDR 3.22 trillion.

Lifezone Metals (NYSE: LZM), which is 17% owned by BHP, announced on Thursday a mineral resource update for the Kabanga nickel project in northwest Tanzania.

Indonesia's production capacity of nickel metal is expected to hit 2.2 million metric tons in 2023, said Septian Hario Seto, a deputy minister in Indonesia's Coordinating Ministry for Maritime Affairs and Investment, said on Wednesday.

Ford Motor Co. will take a direct stake in a battery-nickel plant under construction in Indonesia, deepening its role in the supply chain as carmakers try to secure materials for electric vehicles.

CaNickel Mining (TSXV: CML) has granted Cobalt One Energy an option to purchase CaNickel’s Bucko Lake nickel project for C$80 million ($59m). The mine is located about 110 km southwest of Thompson, Manitoba, near the town of Wabowden.