Aeternum to Acquire 100% of Nkamouna Cobalt-Nickel-Manganese Project Platform

The total investment of the project is 6.5 billion yuan, with 12 new box furnace production lines and 20 crucible furnace production lines, along with supporting auxiliary and ancillary production facilities, utility stations, and integrated environmental protection treatment facilities.

According to Nickel 28 on September 21, the Ramu nickel-cobalt integrated operation in Papua New Guinea, in which the company holds an 8.56% joint-venture interest, produced 811 tonnes of contained cobalt in MHP during the second quarter of 2026 and sold 881 tonnes. During the same period, contained nickel production reached 8,234 tonnes, while sales totaled 8,967 tonnes. Nickel 28 said Ramu maintained solid operating performance during the quarter. Higher sulphur prices increased operating costs, but this was partly offset by relatively strong nickel and cobalt prices, solid production and sales volumes, and favorable payability levels. The company expects second-half production and sales to remain broadly in line with the first half, while nickel and cobalt prices, payability levels and sulphur costs will remain key factors affecting profitability.

According to Glencore on September 23, the company has been selected by the U.S. government as a founding partner of VaultCo, a strategic critical minerals reserve designed to strengthen U.S. supply-chain resilience. Under the arrangement, the Export-Import Bank of the United States will provide US$500 million in financing, while Glencore will use its global sourcing and marketing network to procure, store and deliver critical minerals and base metals for VaultCo. Glencore is a major global producer and marketer of cobalt, with key copper-cobalt assets in the DRC including KCC and Mutanda. Although the announcement did not specify cobalt volumes, Glencore’s participation further links its global critical mineral supply network with the U.S. strategic stockpiling system.