[SMM News] IDB Invest to Lead Up to $700-Million Financing for Posco's Lithium Expansion in Argentina

ACTOM Static Energy, ACTOM's South African energy-storage unit, will exhibit at Electra Mining Africa 2026 following its acquisition of JUEL Batteries earlier this year. JUEL has been integrated into ACTOM's Pretoria West campus, which now produces batteries, inverters, transformers, and MV integration systems on one site, with in-factory testing before market release. On show will be ACTOM's lithium-ion batteries and BESS, targeting mines and industrial users facing grid instability, rising costs, and diesel dependency. MD Louis Heyns said demand for locally made, tested systems over imported alternatives is driving the unit's growth. Also on display: the GELPAG MSS H solid-dielectric switchgear (SIS), IEC type-tested for containerised substations, PV collector substations, and space-constrained mine sites. Market variable affected: Domestic South African BESS battery manufacturing capacity a demand-side signal for finished battery storage, not a change in lithium raw-material supply or pricing. No volumes or figures have been disclosed.

According to Reuters on August 28, the Democratic Republic of Congo’s state-backed artisanal cobalt buyer, Entreprise Générale du Cobalt (EGC), has fully utilized 100% of its allocated cobalt export quota. So far this year, EGC has exported 3,995 tonnes of contained cobalt and around 1,400 tonnes of copper. While some producers have been unable to fully use their quotas due to complex export procedures, EGC has completed its entire allocation. EGC currently sells cobalt mainly through Trafigura, Mercuria and Traxys, and plans to strengthen direct cooperation with battery manufacturers, automakers and other end-users to expand the market for traceable artisanal cobalt. Artisanal and small-scale mining accounts for about 15%-25% of cobalt production in the DRC. EGC aims to improve traceability through formalized management and meet international responsible sourcing requirements. It is currently working with five mining cooperatives, with another 12 partnerships under development. On logistics, EGC recently made its first shipment through the Lobito Corridor, exporting 587 tonnes of cobalt and 500 tonnes of copper cathodes. Transit time was around five days, significantly shorter than about 28 days via Dar es Salaam and more than 30 days via Durban, helping improve export efficiency and supply-chain flexibility.