Polyus announces $6.3 billion share buyback

Australia's Critical Metals is attempting to cash in on soaring demand for lithium.

The tie-up comes as CME expands its metals business and the LME faces dissatisfaction from some traders after turmoil in its nickel contract in March.

Imerys unveiled plans to develop a lithium mine in central France that it said could be a leading contributor in Europe's quest for electric-vehicle battery materials.

With recession looming, however, some business groups say bans on Russian aluminum would decimate European industry.

The lack of lower-content nickel trading on the LME was a factor that helped fuel a wild spike in LME nickel prices in March.

India also boosting its imports of Russian crude and coal, with both Asian giants taking advantage of the discounts on offer.

Coking coal imports from Russia jumped to 2.5 million tons in September, from about 900,000 tons in the same month last year.

A unit of Australian miner European Lithium Ltd. has agreed to go public on Nasdaq through a merger with blank-check company Sizzle Acquisition Corp. 

"We never used to talk to mining operators - now we know their business model," chief Murat Aksel said.