While it is not guaranteed that ioneer will receive the loan, the step is a vote of confidence in the company's $850 million Rhyolite Ridge project.

Rio Tinto's Jadar lithium project is facing opposition in Serbia, as are other miners' projects around the world.

Out of the 27 key commodities, Fitch sees 19 of them averaging lower on a year-on-year basis.

Huayou, the world's biggest cobalt refiner in 2020, has been looking at investing more in lithium projects in China.

Inflation pressure drives up ICO capex, says Jervois Global.

If the EU is going to persuade its citizens of its green credentials, policy-makers may have to get into the dirty side of mining, writes Andy Home.