Oklo’s earnings took a hit as the company reported a net loss of $73.6 million for 2024. The majority of it came from a $52.8 million operating loss. The company’s stock dropped after the report, but analysts stressed that its long-term vision matters more than the numbers. However, the company’s nuclear endeavors continue to shine.

It’s working with the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) to prepare for its upcoming license application to advance its nuclear technology.

As part of this process, the NRC will review Oklo’s licensing materials in advance through a Pre-Application Readiness Assessment. This step helps both Oklo and the NRC get ready for a smoother and more efficient approval process for the Aurora Powerhouse at Idaho National Laboratory.

Oklo Advances Regulatory Approvals for Aurora Reactor

Oklo has been working with the NRC since 2016 to navigate the regulatory path for its advanced reactors. The company has already secured approval for its quality assurance program and made progress in areas like safety analysis, environmental planning, and operational procedures.

The company plans to submit its formal COLA later in 2025, with more applications in the pipeline. The license will cover the design, construction, and operation of the Aurora Powerhouse at INL.

Notably, Oklo aims to have its first Aurora powerhouse up and running by late 2027. The company secured over 14 GW in power orders, which indicates a strong demand for its nuclear technology.

NRC Readiness Assessment Starts in March 2025

The NRC will start reviewing Oklo’s plans in late March 2025. In this first step, they’ll see where the project’s location and its impact on the environment. By sorting out these important details early, Oklo can make the approval process smoother and faster.

The press release also revealed that under the 2024 ADVANCE Act, the NRC is making it easier for nuclear companies to get licenses. A big change is coming—a 55% cut in licensing fees, making the process more affordable. This new pricing will start from October 1, 2025.

On March 20, Oklo announced the launch of its first commercial powerhouse in Idaho. The company signed a MoA with the U.S. DOE and an Interface Agreement (IAG) with Idaho National Laboratory (INL). These agreements ensure Oklo follows all environmental rules while preparing the site.

It has been working closely with INL and DOE to get ready for site investigations. This includes cultural and biological surveys in partnership with the Shoshone Bannock Tribes.

DeWitte further confirmed that these agreements push them forward in building their first advanced fission powerhouse. He added that Oklo is committed to smooth and sustainable development.

• READ MORE: U.S. DOE Greenlights Oklo’s First Commercial Nuclear Fission Plant at Idaho

Oklo’s Aurora Reactor Sets New Standards in Clean Energy

Oklo provides clean energy 24/7 to data centers, factories, industrial sites, communities, and defense facilities. It supplies heat and power through power purchase agreements.

The Aurora Powerhouse will deliver reliable, clean energy to customers and will use recycled fuel made at the Aurora Fuel Fabrication Facility. The facility will process recovered nuclear material from the EBR-II reactor into fuel for the nearby Aurora Powerhouse.

• It can generate 15 MWe, scale up to 50 MWe, and operate for over a decade before needing refueling.

The fission pioneer also explained that they use advanced recycling techniques to keep transuranic materials together as fuel. This avoids the need to create pure material streams, which is a unique feature of fast reactors.

Notably, it’s the only company that has secured fuel for its first commercial advanced nuclear power plant.

Oklo has also developed the Radioisotope Production Facility, Atomic Alchemy with INL. This facility produces essential radioisotopes for critical and life-saving applications, strengthening the U.S. commercial supply chain.

The facility also extracts valuable radioisotope byproducts from the waste stream of Oklo’s fuel recycling process.

• MUST READ: Oklo and Switch Make History with 12 GW Nuclear Power Agreement 

U.S. Nuclear Generation and Generating Capacity

As more power-hungry AI-driven data centers emerge, utilities are increasingly looking at nuclear power for grid reliability. Governments and private firms, including the big techs are investing in advanced nuclear reactors and small modular reactors (SMRs) to scale nuclear capacity efficiently.

As per EIA, in 2024, the monthly nuclear utility generation was approximately 71 million megawatt hours (MWh).

Thus, Oklo is on track to support America’s clean energy goals, advancing nuclear power as a reliable, carbon-free solution for the growing energy demand.

• FURTHER READING: What Does the U.S. Need to Triple Its Nuclear Capacity by 2050? DOE Explains… 

The post Oklo Advances Its Nuclear Reactor Licensing Despite $73.6M Net Loss appeared first on Carbon Credits.

Copper prices surged on Monday as traders anticipated the outcome of potentially high U.S. import tariffs. The three-month copper price on the London Metal Exchange (LME) climbed to $9,925 per metric ton, building on last week’s gains after reaching a five-month high.

As per Bloomberg, Mercuria revealed that around 500,000 tons of copper are now headed to U.S. ports—much higher than the usual 70,000 tons per month. This spike is directly linked to expectations of new tariffs.

Bloomberg: Copper Prices Soar on Trump Tariff Speculation

Bloomberg said that copper futures on the London Metal Exchange jumped 1.9%, crossing $10,000 per ton. In New York, copper prices on Comex climbed 1.4% close to a record high before dropping back.

Since January, Comex prices have surged past international benchmarks as traders bet on U.S. import tariffs. On Monday, the price gap hit a new record of over $1,400 per ton, surpassing February’s peak after Trump announced a Commerce Department investigation into possible tariffs.

Explaining further, this investigation into copper imports is fueling market uncertainty. With new tariffs expected on April 2, traders are remaining cautious. This shift in supply could push prices to record highs while creating shortages in China and other markets.

Reuters highlighted Kostas Bintas, former co-head of metals at Trafigura Group, predictions on copper. He warned that global supplies could tighten sharply. Similarly, Goldman Sachs predicts that U.S. copper imports could rise by 50% to 100% in the coming months as buyers rush to secure material before tariffs hit.

Impact on the Economy

The rush of copper imports and looming tariffs could reshape industries worldwide. Here’s what industry pundits are expecting:

• Record Prices: With 500,000 tons of copper flooding the U.S., prices could surpass $10,000 per ton. This would raise costs for construction, electronics, and electric vehicles.
• U.S. Economic Shift: The government aims to boost domestic copper production, reducing reliance on foreign metals. This could help U.S. mining and manufacturing but also raise domestic costs.
• Higher Inflation: Rising copper prices would increase production costs, leading to inflation across multiple sectors. Consumers already facing high living costs may feel the strain.
• Global Supply Chain Issues: With more copper heading to the U.S., shortages could hit China, the world’s largest copper consumer. This could disrupt industries reliant on steady copper supplies.
• Investment Changes: Companies might stock up on extra copper or look for other materials to avoid the impact of price changes. This uncertainty could lead to more investment in U.S. copper production and new alternatives.

What’s Behind the Copper Crunch?

Experts predict a 320,000-ton copper supply deficit in 2025 as demand outpaces supply. A sharp drop in U.S. copper scrap exports—crucial for a third of global production—is worsening the shortfall.

RioTimes revealed an interesting point made by Nick Snowdon, head of metals research at Mercuria. He called this trend an “under-appreciated shock” to global markets.

• READ MORE: Copper Prices Swing as China’s Stimulus Sends Mixed Signals—What’s Next for 2025?

Amid all these developments, WSJ reported that Rio Tinto plans to expand its copper investments in the U.S. It operates the Kennecott copper mine in Utah and owns a majority stake in the Resolution Copper project in Arizona.

The company sees new opportunities after President Trump signed the executive order to speed up permitting and boost government funding for mineral projects.

Katie Jackson head of the company’s copper business confirmed this news by noting,

“We have a strong desire to invest more in the U.S., particularly in copper,” 

Copper Demand and Supply Forecast

Copper demand is set to rise sharply due to the clean energy transition.

IEA projects, cleantech applications, such as EVs and renewable energy, will drive demand from 5,380 kt in 2021 to 16,343 kt in 2040. Meanwhile, traditional uses like construction and electrical wiring will remain stable, reaching 20,036 kt by 2040.

Recycled copper supply will exceed double, from 4,123 kt in 2021 to 10,006 kt in 2040. Despite this growth, mining will still play a key role, with primary supply requirements peaking at 25,249 kt in 2030 before stabilizing.

The rising demand and supply chain concentration, primarily from China, might push for diversified sources and expanded recycling efforts.

BHP, the largest mining company, predicts that copper demand from the energy transition sector will rise from 7% to 23% by 2050, according to a Kitco report.

• Copper demand from the digital sector, including data centers, 5G, and AI, is also set to grow from 1% (current) to 6% by 2050.
• Copper use in transportation will increase from 11% in 2021 to 20% by 2040. This rise is due to more electric vehicles on the road.

On the supply side, BHP highlighted a major challenge. The average copper ore grade has dropped by about 40% since 1991. In the next ten years, half of the world’s copper supply will face problems. Aging mines and lower ore quality will be major issues.

• More significantly, the mining giant estimates that the industry will need $250 billion in new investments to close the growing gap between supply and demand.

BHP’s chief commercial officer Rag Udd.

“As we look towards 2050, we foresee global copper demand increasing by 70% to reach 50 million tonnes annually. This will be driven by copper’s role in both current and emerging technologies, as well as the world’s decarbonization goals.”

• MUST READ: U.S. Copper Crisis: Can Freeport-McMoRan Secure ‘Critical’ Status for the Energy Metal? 

The post U.S. Copper Rush: Imports Flood in and Prices Soar as Trump Tariff Looms appeared first on Carbon Credits.

The lithium market is undergoing significant changes as demand for electric vehicles (EVs) and energy storage solutions continues to rise. This soft, silvery-white metal remains at the center of the global clean energy transition. 

Let’s uncover the major market trends according to experts and significant insights shared by the head of a lithium extraction company in an exclusive interview. 

Lithium Market Trends from CERAWeek 2025

At CERAWeek 2025, industry experts highlighted key trends shaping the lithium market. Experts noted that while lithium demand remains high due to EVs and energy storage systems, the market has seen volatility. 

Lithium prices in China fell from $76,000 per ton in early 2023 to about $23,000 per ton by year’s end. This drop raised worries about supply chain stability.

One of the most pressing concerns is the lack of a strong domestic lithium supply chain in the United States. Experts say that 77% of graphite for lithium-ion batteries comes from China. Overall, 53% of the US’s graphite imports since 2023 are from China. This highlights the need to diversify supply. 

• Battery production drives lithium demand. In 2023, global lithium consumption hit 180,000 tons. This marks a 27% rise from last year.

S&P Global Market Intelligence and Commodity Insights predict that lithium supplies will remain in surplus until 2032. However, as of Q4 2024, the U.S. still relies heavily on imports, with most of its lithium coming from Chile and Argentina.

Industry leaders at the conference stressed the importance of new extraction technologies to meet future demand. An expert noted that lithium-metal batteries are 10x more powerful than lithium-ion batteries. This could change the game. They highlighted how waste lithium metal from industry could help build a circular supply chain.

• RELATED NEWS: Are EVs Truly Green? How Battery Recycling is Powering a Cleaner Future

Scalability remains a significant challenge, however. Companies are putting money into resource validation projects. They’re also expanding lithium extraction facilities to produce 20,000 tons each year.

The focus is now on producing lithium at a large scale. The aim is for sustainable sourcing methods to keep the lithium market stable in the long run. These insights reinforce the need for technological advancements, government support, and recycling initiatives to build a more resilient lithium industry.

This is where the unique technology of a company promising to optimize lithium production and make it eco-friendly comes in. 

François-Michel Colomar, Head of International Development at Adionics, shares insights on lithium extraction. He discusses challenges and opportunities, pricing trends, and how new technologies shape the industry’s future.  

What Factors Drive the 2025 Lithium Market Recovery?

After a turbulent 2024, the lithium market is showing early signs of recovery in 2025. Colomar attributes this rebound to the increasing demand from EV manufacturers and energy storage providers. 

François-Michel Colomar: “As global policies push for electrification and clean energy adoption, the need for lithium continues to grow. Furthermore, advancements in extraction technologies, such as Direct Lithium Extraction (DLE), are improving efficiency and reducing environmental impact. These technological improvements, combined with increased investments in domestic lithium production, are helping stabilize the market.”

Despite past price corrections, Colomar remains optimistic about sustained growth, driven by ongoing investments in sustainable lithium production.

Lithium Price Projections and Market Forces

Looking ahead, lithium prices are expected to climb to between around $15,000 and $20,000 per ton by 2028. Colomar provided insights into what key market forces will contribute to this growth. 

François-Michel Colomar: “The projected price increase of lithium is largely driven by the rising demand for EV batteries and energy storage solutions. Global lithium consumption is expected to surpass supply in the coming years, putting upward pressure on prices. 

He also highlights the role of efficient and sustainable extraction technologies in stabilizing the market while meeting increasing demand. The push for local lithium production and recycling initiatives will be crucial in reducing reliance on traditional mining operations.

The Role of New Extraction Technologies

Innovative extraction technologies are revolutionizing the lithium industry, offering more sustainable and cost-effective alternatives to traditional methods. One such advancement is DLE, which allows for selective lithium extraction with minimal environmental impact.

François-Michel Colomar: “Unlike traditional lithium mining, which relies on evaporation ponds and hard rock mining, DLE offers a more efficient and environmentally friendly alternative. It allows for higher lithium recovery rates, reduces water usage, and minimizes ecological disruption. At Adionics, our technology achieves lithium recoveries of up to 98%, making it a game-changer in sustainable lithium production.”

Adionics’ Position in the Lithium Industry

Adionics is playing a key role in advancing sustainable lithium production and battery recycling. Its technology enables the extraction of high-purity lithium from battery black mass, addressing a major challenge in the recycling process. 

Colomar emphasized their unique position in the broader lithium and battery recycling landscape.

François-Michel Colomar: “By providing a domestic alternative to overseas processing, we are strengthening the local supply chain and reducing dependence on newly mined lithium. Our approach supports a truly circular economy, ensuring that lithium resources are efficiently reused.”

Impact of EV Demand on Lithium Supply and Pricing

With global EV sales projected to reach 54.7 million units by 2030, the demand for lithium is expected to soar. Colomar predicts that this surge will create supply chain pressures, potentially leading to price fluctuations.

François-Michel Colomar: “The rapid expansion of the EV market will undoubtedly put pressure on lithium supply chains. While increased production capacity and improved extraction methods will help balance supply and demand, the industry must also focus on recycling to supplement primary lithium sources. We anticipate some price volatility, but long-term trends indicate continued growth in lithium prices as demand outpaces supply.”

However, advancements in extraction technologies and recycling capabilities will help mitigate these challenges.

The Importance of Lithium Recycling

Recycling lithium is crucial in addressing supply chain constraints and reducing environmental impacts. Tofanni highlighted this while detailing how their technology helps in this way.

François-Michel Colomar: “With demand projected to exceed supply by 2029, recycling offers a way to recover valuable materials and reduce reliance on newly mined lithium. Adionics’ technology allows for high-purity lithium extraction from recycled batteries without producing toxic waste. This advancement is crucial in creating a closed-loop system where lithium can be reused efficiently.”

Balancing Rapid Lithium Production with Sustainability

The lithium industry faces the challenge of balancing rapid production with sustainable practices. Colomar emphasizes the need for efficient extraction technologies that minimize environmental harm.

François-Michel Colomar: “Sustainability must be a top priority. Technologies like DLE provide a solution by allowing for high lithium recovery rates without the negative environmental impact of traditional mining.”

Adionics’ lithium extraction process boosts recovery rates and purity. It also cuts water use and removes toxic by-products. These innovations enable the industry to scale up production while maintaining environmental responsibility.

Future Trends in the Lithium and Battery Industry

Looking beyond 2030, Colomar foresees major shifts in the lithium and battery industries. 

François-Michel Colomar: “First, we expect a greater emphasis on recycling and circular economy practices. Second, advancements in battery technology, such as solid-state batteries, could reduce reliance on lithium-ion cells. Lastly, the industry will see increased efforts to localize lithium supply chains, reducing geopolitical risks and ensuring stable access to this critical mineral.”

Adionics is at the forefront of these changes, driving innovation in lithium extraction and recycling. 

Lithium’s Role in the Clean Energy Transition

Lithium remains a key enabler of the clean energy transition, powering EVs and energy storage systems. As the world moves toward net-zero emissions, lithium demand will continue to grow.

François-Michel Colomar highlights the importance of integrating sustainable extraction and recycling methods to ensure a reliable lithium supply. By investing in innovative technologies, the industry can support the global shift to clean energy while minimizing environmental impacts.

The 2025 lithium market presents both challenges and opportunities. Rising demand, evolving extraction technologies, and a growing focus on sustainability will shape the industry’s future.

• FURTHER READING: Lithium Market in 2025 and Beyond: Supply Deficit Looms with $116B Requirement

The post Lithium Market Insight 2025: Price Recovery, EV Demand, and the Future of Extraction – Exclusive Interview appeared first on Carbon Credits.