The TLC property is host to a near-surface lithium claystone deposit that is amenable to low-cost, sustainable mining methods.

French President Emmanuel Macron called for an EU package amounting to 2% of its economic output to rival the $370 billion US plan.

The first launch, scheduled for April, will test AstroForge’s technique for refining platinum from a sample of asteroid-like material.

"There's significant supply coming on, but the demand growth is more significant," said Eric Norris, head of Albemarle's Energy Storage division.

The brownfield site has produced 2.6 million lb. of copper on a historical basis.

Gold price may hit an average of $1,862 this year, up from its record average of $1,802 in 2022, says the investment bank.

"The US dollar is finding some form of stability and in turn we could see gold prices heading lower into next week," analyst says.