BC Magnesium Project Faces Opposition Despite Approval, Threatens Tourism and Health

The University of Tsukuba in Japan successfully developed a new-type magnesium-air solid-state battery, using a nitrogen-doped porous graphene cathode to solve the problem of chloride corrosion, providing a high-safety, low-cost technological pathway for flexible electronics and wearable devices. At the same time, the Record Ridge magnesium mine project in British Columbia, Canada, has triggered strong opposition from the local tourism community over plans to transport ore to China for processing, and has been halted by litigation, with a court hearing scheduled for March 10. The two developments respectively highlight magnesium’s cutting-edge applications in new energy technology and the real-world tensions in resource development.

[SMM Tungsten Express] US Antimony released a resource estimate for its Fostung tungsten project in Ontario. SRK Consulting reported an inferred resource of 14.62 million tonnes grading 0.17% WO₃, containing 53.6 million lbs of tungsten metal, valued at approximately $4.6 billion at current prices. The company plans to fast-track the project as the next North American tungsten producer and has applied for U.S. Defense Production Act funding. Neither the U.S. nor Canada has produced tungsten concentrates since 2016.

[SMM Magnesium Express] Researchers at Japan's University of Tsukuba have developed an all-solid-state magnesium-air rechargeable battery featuring a nitrogen-doped porous graphene cathode. This design replaces platinum-based cathodes and uses a magnesium chloride-based solid polymer electrolyte, successfully addressing chloride-induced degradation that previously limited this technology. The battery maintains performance even when bent to 120 degrees, offering high energy density with enhanced safety, opening new pathways for magnesium in next-generation, low-cost energy storage systems.