Disseminated on behalf of Surge Battery Metals.

The lithium story at Nevada North is well understood. The project has scale, grade, and long-term production potential.

What is less discussed is the presence of other critical minerals within the same system. Recent drill results show that rubidium (Rb) and cesium (Cs) occur alongside lithium mineralization at the Nevada North Lithium Project (NNLP) of Surge Battery Metals (TSX-V: NILI | OTCQX: NILIF). These elements are not the primary focus of development today, but they may represent an additional strategic layer of value.

Both rubidium and cesium are classified as critical minerals in the United States. Yet, neither mineral is mined domestically, and supply is largely dependent on imports, mainly from China and Canada. At the same time, both elements are used in high-value applications such as atomic clocks, fiber optics, satellite systems, and advanced defense electronics.

A New Layer in the Drill Results

In early 2026, assay results from NNLP began to highlight the consistent presence of rubidium and cesium within the lithium-bearing zones.

From the February 17, 2026, news release, drill hole NNL-037 returned:

• 4,196 ppm lithium
• 325 ppm rubidium
• 112 ppm cesium

Follow-up results from the February 25, 2026, news release showed similar trends. Infill drilling returned values of up to:

• 349 ppm rubidium
• 163 ppm cesium

These results are important because they show that rubidium and cesium are directly associated with the lithium core, not isolated occurrences. This suggests a consistent geological relationship across the deposit.

At this stage, these findings remain exploration results. They have not been incorporated into the project’s Preliminary Economic Assessment, and their economic contribution is still being evaluated. However, their presence is clear and repeatable across multiple drill holes.

Rubidium and Cesium for Tech and Defense

Rubidium and cesium are not widely known compared to lithium, but they play critical roles in advanced technologies.

Cesium is used in atomic clocks, which are essential for GPS systems, telecommunications networks, and defense infrastructure. It is also used in specialty drilling fluids and electronics.

Rubidium is used in fiber optic systems, specialty glass, and emerging quantum technologies. Both elements are also relevant for aerospace and satellite applications.

Despite their importance, the global supply is limited. There are a few large-scale producers, and production is often tied to other mining operations rather than dedicated projects. As a result, supply chains can be concentrated and less transparent than those for more widely traded commodities.

For the United States, this creates a dependency on imported material for applications that are increasingly tied to national security and advanced technology.

More Than Lithium: A Multi-Critical-Mineral Profile

The presence of rubidium and cesium at NNLP introduces a different way to view the project. It is not only a lithium resource, but potentially a multi-critical-mineral system. The project’s updated resource base includes 10.5 million tonnes LCE in Measured & Indicated categories, with additional high-grade mineralization identified at 3,820 ppm lithium. 

This does not change the core development strategy, which remains focused on lithium. However, it adds another dimension to how the asset may be evaluated over time.

Recent developments also point to growing confidence in the project’s advancement. On June 3, Surge Battery Metals announced a strategic financing of up to C$30 million, with an option to increase the amount to C$36 million.

The company said the funding is intended to help fast-track Nevada North toward a construction decision. The financing strengthens Surge’s ability to continue resource development, metallurgical work, and project studies while further evaluating the broader critical mineral potential of the deposit.

Graham Harris, Chairman of Surge, commented,

“This announcement marks a defining moment for Surge. With Nevada North fully funded, upon the successful closing, toward a construction decision, and with Brian and Michael leading our Strategic Advisory Board, we believe that we have the capital, the expertise, and the relationships to move this project at the pace the current environment demands. The United States is focused on developing a secure and sustainable domestic supply of critical minerals.[2] Once constructed, we plan to participate in the domestic supply of lithium through Nevada North.”

Some of the key points to consider include:

• Rubidium and cesium are co-located with lithium mineralization, not in separate zones.
• Both elements are classified as critical minerals with a limited U.S. supply.
• Supply chains are currently import-dependent, with concentration in a few countries, but no data is available on specific percentages.
• NNLP is a domestic resource located in Nevada.

These factors align with broader trends in resource development, where projects are increasingly assessed not only for their primary commodity but also for associated critical minerals.

Ongoing Evaluation Through Metallurgy: Can Rb & Cs Add Value?

At this stage, the key question is not whether rubidium and cesium are present, but how they behave during processing.

Surge Battery Metals is evaluating the deportment of these elements as part of its ongoing metallurgical work. This step is important. It will determine whether these minerals can be recovered, how they interact with lithium processing, and whether they could contribute to future project economics.

Moreover, it is too early to draw conclusions yet. No economic assumptions have been made for rubidium or cesium in the current project studies. However, identifying their presence at this stage allows for a more complete understanding of the resource.

Strategic Context: Beyond Batteries

The broader context is also evolving. Critical minerals are increasingly tied to national strategy, not just market demand.

Lithium remains central to EVs and energy storage. But rubidium and cesium connect the project to defense, communications, and advanced technology sectors. These are areas where supply security is becoming a priority.

In this sense, NNLP sits at the intersection of multiple strategic themes:

• Energy transition, through lithium,
• Technology infrastructure, through battery materials and electronics, and
• National security, through the critical mineral supply. 

This combination is not common among lithium projects, particularly within Nevada clay deposits.

Standing Out in Nevada’s Lithium Landscape

Within the Nevada lithium landscape, most projects are evaluated on grade, scale, and processing pathways. NNLP meets those criteria. The additional presence of rubidium and cesium introduces a differentiated element that is not widely highlighted in comparable projects.

Importantly, this differentiation should be viewed with the right level of caution. These elements are still under study. Their economic value has not been defined, and their recovery is not yet established.

At the same time, their consistent presence in drilling results is a data point worth noting, especially in a market where supply chains for critical minerals are under increasing scrutiny.

The Next Chapter for Nevada North’s Mineral Story

As metallurgical work progresses, more information will become available on how rubidium and cesium behave within the NNLP system. This will help determine whether they remain a geological feature or evolve into a potential secondary value stream.

For now, the key takeaway is straightforward. Nevada North is not only a lithium project. It is also a broader critical mineral system, with exposure to materials that support advanced technology and defense applications.

The latest financing also highlights how Nevada North is moving beyond the exploration stage. With the project now supported by a major strategic funding package and an expanded advisory team, attention is increasingly shifting toward development readiness and long-term value creation.

While lithium remains the primary focus, the presence of additional critical minerals may provide further strategic relevance as the project advances. And in a market focused on securing supply chains, that distinction may become more relevant over time.

• READ MORE: Lithium Price Trends: Why NILI Could Benefit From the New Volatility Era

The post Rubidium and Cesium: The Hidden Value at Nevada North appeared first on Carbon Credits.

The recent report from climate scientists is crystal clear: the world must act now. That means limiting global warming to 2 or 1.5 degrees Celsius.

But what does this entail?

Cutting a lot of emissions and reaching net zero. And this is urgent.

Embracing the urgency of this matter, more and more entities are pledging their net zero targets. There are now over 80 nations and hundreds of businesses that laid out their net zero roadmaps. These include the world’s supper emitters – China, the United States, the European Union, and India.

But what does achieving net zero emissions really mean?

This guide will explain the key facts and insights about this world-saving concept.

What Does Hitting Net Zero Emissions Mean?

Being at net zero emissions refers to a point where the GHG emissions released by humans into the air are balanced by the emissions removed from the air.

Think of it as a weighing scale. Emitting carbon and other GHG tips the scale and the net zero aim is to get the scale back into balance.

Reaching this balance requires two things.

1. Reducing the emissions released from human activities closest to zero.
2. Removing the emissions that are hard to reduce.

Getting to net zero means we can still generate some emissions. But as long as they are offset by initiatives that reduce GHG already in the atmosphere.

There are plenty of carbon removal solutions and technologies being developed to suck in CO2 from the air and store it.

So, emission reductions and removals go together in the world’s race to net zero.

When Must The World Get to Net Zero?

Every new ton of carbon emitted into the atmosphere is heating the planet more. The sooner the world stops adding CO2 and other GHG to the air, the better. But what’s the timeline for this?

As per IPCC’s latest report, to honor the Paris Agreement and limit temperature rise at 1.5°C, global emissions should be at net zero by 2050.

Still, hitting net zero in 2050 is too far distant away. Short-term emissions reduction targets are necessary. The Paris accord requires countries to reduce emissions by 7% each year this decade (from 2020 to 2030).

Climate science suggests a global timeline to be at net zero under two scenarios: limiting warming to 1.5°C and to 2°C.

The figure below shows this timeline. It separates two significant emissions – carbon dioxide and total GHG.

What the picture depicts is that achieving net zero CO2 emissions must be by 2050 (1.5°C) or by 2070 (2°C) at the latest. Whereas for non-CO2 emissions, it means by 2060 and by the end of the century.

The sooner emissions peak, the more realistic hitting net zero becomes.

This scenario results in less dependence on removing carbon beyond 2050.

But this timeline doesn’t say that all countries need to be at net zero at the same time. There are a lot of factors to consider here including:

• Responsibility for past GHG emissions
• Per-capita emissions
• Capacity to act

This suggests that the deadline for the wealthier, higher emitters could be earlier. The opposite holds true for poorer emitters.

For instance, India has net zero targets by 2070 while Saudi Arabia and China both pledged to be at net zero by 2060.

Whereas the US, EU, UK, and Japan have all committed to hitting it by 2050.

But it’s crucial not just for countries but also for companies to have net zero targets. More so, their near-term emissions reduction goals must align with their net zero pledges.

Why It’s Vital to Align Interim CO2 Reduction Targets with Net Zero Plans?

Entities often set their net zero targets by 2050.

But to ensure that they’re on track toward their net zero pledge, their long-term goals must inform their interim targets.

This is critical to prevent locking in carbon-intensive and non-resilient infrastructure and technologies. It can also help them align the costs by investing in projects that can cut emissions now and still do so years later.

This is more vital for countries to design consistent policies that support reduction efforts in the long run. Also, countries party to Paris Agreement and COP26 agreed to submit their climate plans.

Such plans form part of their NDCs or nationally determined contributions. The NDCs outline interim emissions targets by 2030 and align governments’ climate plans with their near-term goals.

Most countries with net zero targets are starting to incorporate them into their interim NDCs. Here’s the current global map of countries that have net zero ambitions and their status.

More importantly, the corporate world had also paved its path toward net zero emissions.

World’s Heaviest Emitting Companies With Net Zero Targets And Strategies

• $15 billion towards reducing GHG emissions over the next six years
• Better processes to reduce methane gas leakage

• To reach net zero within the U.S. Permian Basin shale field by 2030

Exxon also bid the highest to get offshore properties to use for carbon sequestration.

Likewise, Chevron also announced a $10 billion dollar investment into low carbon initiatives as part of its net zero targets.

Half of that budget will be for reducing emissions from fossil fuel initiatives. The remaining half will be for hydrogen energy and renewable fuels.

Specifically, Chevron will increase:

• Renewable fuels production to 100,000 barrels per day
• Renewable natural gas output to 40 billion British thermal units (BTUs) per day.
• Hydrogen production to 150,000 tonnes per year
• Carbon capture and offsets to 25 million tonnes per year.

Meanwhile, Occidental Petroleum has also set its net-zero ambition by 2050. Like other oil majors, Occidental also invests in direct air capture (DAC) technology as one of its net zero strategies.

The firm expects to pull as much as 1 million metric tons/year of CO2 emissions via DAC.

The second heaviest emitting sector is the utilities with 2.3GtCO2e.

Italy-based Enel, one of the world’s biggest utility firms, has an initial net-zero emissions target by 2050 but moved it to 2040 instead. The firm also expressed to exit coal generation by 2027 and gas by 2040.

Enel plans to invest $160 billion to fund its net zero strategies to reach its ambitious goal. Part of that is to install around 154GW of renewable capacity by 2030.

Duke Energy also set ambitious climate goals. That’s to have at least a 50% reduction in CO2 emissions from electricity generation in 2030 on its way to net zero by 2050. They’re also targeting net zero methane emissions for their natural gas distribution by 2030.

The third sector with high emissions is manufacturing (1.4GtCO2e) which includes automakers.

While the utility companies are turning to renewables, car manufacturers are becoming electric.

Tesla led the way in its all-electric lineup and amassed huge carbon credit sales for it. It also produces green products that further add to its credit generation. Yet, it still hasn’t revealed its net zero goals.

Stellantis, on the other hand, has pledged to hit net zero emissions the soonest time by 2038.

While it used to rely on Tesla to meet its regulatory emissions, the European carmaker managed to cut down its emissions.

It was through its electrification ramp-up and technical improvements. This includes its battery electric vehicles (BEVs) and low-emission vehicles (LEVs) production.

To become carbon net zero in 2038, the carmaker focuses on these main levers:

• Energy-efficient projects and energy management in all plants
• Site compression and improvement of industrial footprint
• Use and production of renewable energies
• Technical innovations (e.g. Hydrogen, Power to gas)
• CO2 capture and storage

Other manufacturers also made significant strides in their way toward decarbonization. Take for example the case of Del Monte Foods.

Del Monte Foods has invested significantly in renewable energy and reduced food waste. It also doubled capital investment in energy-efficient production operations.

The company’s strategy to reach net zero emissions by 2050 is to invest more in:

• Renewable energy,
• Automation,
• Transportation efficiency,
• Regenerative agricultural practices, and
• Eco-friendly packaging innovation

Though they’re not directly specified as a sector in the chart above, the airlines are also one of the big emitters.

In fact, the global aviation industry generates around 2.1% of all CO2 emitted by humans. Within the transport sector, it accounts for 12% of emissions compared to 75% from road transport. 

Here’s how the major US airlines are dealing with their net zero targets.

The Way to Net Zero 

It is certain that the world needs to take action and treat climate change as an emergency.

And the only means to face this emergency heads on is for countries and companies to hit their net zero emissions.  

There’s no single approach to how the world reaches net zero by 2050 or earlier. It requires a combination of various initiatives or strategies as to how different companies are doing it.

Another major element of that is setting near-term climate targets that align with long-term goals.

This will help investors assess the climate ambitions of their portfolio companies. It will also help corporations to have a good benchmark as they go on their journey to net zero.

The post What Does “Net Zero Emissions” Really Mean? appeared first on Carbon Credits.

The global battery industry is moving fast, and China’s battery giant CATL is already looking beyond today’s technologies.

At the 2026 Forum on Building China Into an Equipment Manufacturing Power, CATL Chief Scientist Wu Kai highlighted lithium-air batteries as one of the most promising technologies for the future. While the technology is still far from commercial use, its potential could transform electric vehicles (EVs) and energy storage systems over the next decade.

At the same time, CATL is pushing ahead with sodium-ion batteries and expanding its energy storage testing capabilities, showing that the company is working on both near-term and long-term battery solutions.

Why Lithium-Air Batteries Are Creating Excitement

Battery makers constantly search for ways to store more energy in smaller and lighter packages. This is where lithium-air batteries stand out.

• According to Wu Kai, lithium-air batteries could theoretically achieve an energy density of up to 3,500 watt-hours per kilogram (Wh/kg). That is several times higher than today’s commercial lithium-ion batteries.

Higher energy density means a battery can store more power without increasing weight. For electric vehicles, this could translate into significantly longer driving ranges. For energy storage systems, it could mean more power in a smaller footprint.

The concept itself is not new. Scientists first discussed lithium-air batteries in the 1970s, and rechargeable versions appeared in the 1990s. Since then, researchers worldwide have worked to unlock the technology’s potential.

Major companies and research groups have continued exploring the field. Around 2010, IBM conducted extensive lithium-air battery research. More recently, U.S. researchers reported important breakthroughs, including improved cycle life and energy density under laboratory conditions.

However, despite decades of research, lithium-air batteries remain largely confined to laboratories.

How Lithium-Air Batteries Work

Unlike conventional lithium-ion batteries, lithium-air batteries use metallic lithium as the anode.

The biggest difference lies on the cathode side. Instead of relying on heavy solid materials, lithium-air batteries use oxygen from the surrounding air. The oxygen enters through a porous carbon structure and participates in the battery’s chemical reactions.

This design reduces the amount of material required inside the battery, helping create an extremely lightweight system.

Because the battery draws oxygen from the atmosphere, it can theoretically achieve much higher energy density than existing battery technologies.

The table shows why lithium-air technology attracts so much attention. Even compared with advanced solid-state batteries, the theoretical energy storage potential is dramatically higher.

Significant Challenges Still Remain

Despite its promise, lithium-air technology faces several major obstacles.

One challenge involves lithium peroxide, a material that forms during discharge. This compound acts as an electrical insulator, making battery operation less efficient.

In addition, scientists still struggle with slow reaction speeds inside the battery. Catalysts designed to improve these reactions have yet to deliver consistent results.

Another issue is electrolyte stability. Current electrolytes tend to degrade over time, limiting battery lifespan. Furthermore, lithium metal anodes can develop dendrites—tiny needle-like structures that may reduce performance and create safety concerns.

Because of these technical barriers, industry experts generally believe large-scale commercialization remains at least a decade away.

• READ MORE: CATL’s Profit Surges 42% With Global Battery Demand and the Shift to a Zero-Carbon Future 

Sodium-Ion Batteries Are Much Closer to Reality

While lithium-air batteries represent a long-term goal, CATL is making faster progress with sodium-ion technology.

The company unveiled its sodium-ion battery platform last year and expects large-scale production to begin in 2026.

Sodium-ion batteries use abundant sodium instead of lithium. Although they generally store less energy than lithium-based batteries, they offer several advantages:

• Lower material costs
• Greater resource availability
• Better performance in cold weather
• Reduced dependence on lithium supply chains

To support commercialization, CATL recently launched Phase VI expansion of its Fuding manufacturing base in Fujian Province.

The company plans to invest approximately RMB 5 billion ($725 million) in a new production line capable of adding 40 gigawatt-hours (GWh) of annual sodium-ion battery capacity.

Meanwhile, CATL and Changan Automobile have announced plans to launch the world’s first mass-produced passenger vehicle powered by sodium-ion batteries. The vehicle is expected to reach customers in mid-2026.

CATL Continues to Dominate Global EV Batteries

CATL’s investment strategy comes as the company strengthens its position in the global battery market.

According to data from SNE Research, CATL installed 141.4 GWh of batteries worldwide during the first four months of 2026. That represented nearly 20% growth compared with the same period last year.

• The company’s global market share climbed to 40.1%, reinforcing its leadership in the EV battery sector.

Chinese battery manufacturers continue to gain ground across the industry. Companies such as CALB, Gotion, EVE Energy, SVOLT, and Sunwoda all reported strong year-over-year growth.

Meanwhile, BYD maintained its position as the world’s second-largest battery supplier. Although its battery installations declined slightly, the company’s overseas EV expansion and battery innovations could support future growth.

CATL Opens World’s Largest Energy Storage Validation Center

Beyond batteries themselves, the company is also investing heavily in energy storage reliability. It recently opened the CATL Xiamen Energy Storage Validation Research Institute (ESVL), which it describes as the world’s largest and most comprehensive energy storage testing and validation platform.

The facility covers roughly 10 hectares and required an investment of around RMB 3 billion ($440 million).

Importantly, CATL says the platform will operate as open infrastructure available to the broader energy storage industry.

Why Real-World Testing Matters

As energy storage installations expand worldwide, performance and reliability have become major concerns.

Many storage projects fail to perform exactly as expected after deployment. Delays in grid connection and operational challenges can increase costs and reduce returns for developers and investors.

CATL believes the industry must move beyond testing individual components and focus on validating entire systems under real operating conditions.

The ESVL facility is designed to evaluate:

• Safety performance
• Grid-support capabilities
• Long-term reliability
• Station-level operational performance

According to Wu Kai, scientific testing and rigorous validation will become increasingly important as energy storage projects grow larger and more complex.

The facility also works with international certification organizations, including TÜV SÜD, TÜV Rheinland, China General Certification Center, and CSA Group.

Looking Ahead

CATL’s latest moves reveal a two-track strategy. On one hand, the company is preparing for the future through advanced technologies such as lithium-air batteries. On the other hand, it is accelerating the commercialization of sodium-ion batteries and expanding energy storage infrastructure today.

Lithium-air batteries may still be years away from reaching consumers. Nevertheless, their enormous theoretical energy density makes them one of the most intriguing battery technologies under development.

Meanwhile, sodium-ion batteries and advanced energy storage systems are already moving toward commercial reality. Together, these efforts could help CATL maintain its position at the center of the rapidly evolving global battery industry.

• ALSO READ: Global EV Sales Set to Hit 50% by 2030 Amid Oil Shock While CATL Leads Batteries 

The post CATL Bets on Lithium-Air Batteries While Expanding Sodium-Ion and Energy Storage Leadership appeared first on Carbon Credits.