This follows a deal last month in which Sibanye agreed to buy half of ioneer's Nevada lithium mine project.

The USGS will deploy its hi-tech Earth MRI to look for critical minerals.

Demand will likely outstrip production over at least the next five years, Morningstar predicts.

Copper prices are due to extend their decline next year from record levels touched in 2021 as mine supply ramps up and economic growth tapers in top market China.

The company said the move by the Forest Service was "politically motivated and completely unnecessary."

J Capital alleges Vulcan's management team low-balled the costs, thus making the project look profitable, and overstated the quality of the resource.

Samples from the Ontario project yielded the highest grade concentrate during metallurgical testing reported in the preliminary economic report.