A fundamental choice for Critical Minerals development: "Fascism or radical democracy?"

The global demand for critical minerals like lithium and copper is surging, but how we attempt to quickly extract them, argues Katherine Teh , Executive Chairman of Spektrum Development , presents a fundamental choice: embrace authoritarian tactics that disregard communities or pursue transparent, consent-based development. In this pivotal moment, the stakes are high-ranging, from environmental destruction to lost economic potential. Which path should be chosen? Katherine Teh of Spektrum Development addressing the 2024 ACFID Conference WE ARE AT a crossroads in the energy transition. The gap between what the mining industry promises and what it delivers has been widening, creating not only delays but the potential for significant socio-economic and environmental risks. As the demand for critical minerals like copper, graphite, and lithium increases, we’re facing mounting challenges in securing these resources quickly enough to support the transition to renewable energy. The Problem...

Valuable heavy minerals in Bangladesh

The discovery of valuable heavy minerals in Bangladesh could kick start the country’s economy. According to Bangladesh Atomic Energy Commission Chairman Mosharraf Hossain, 17 mineral sands deposits containing 23% heavy minerals with an estimated reserve of 4.35 Mt have been identified. Eight regarded as economically viable are ilmenite, zircon, rutile, magnetite, leucoxene, kyanite, garnet and monazite.

The minerals are scattered in an area of about 8,000 ha in Cox's Bazar district, Bangladesh's foremost tourist resort area, about 390 km from the capital Dhaka.

Bangladeshi authorities have already set up a government committee to manage the resources and an Australian firm, Premier Mineral Company, has applied for a development permit.

Many heavy minerals found in Bangladesh are in high demand, both at home and abroad. For this reason, exploiting such resources will require cooperation or a joint venture with foreign countries with experience in mineral development, Mr Hossain told AsiaNews.

Ilmenite, leucoxene and rutile are important because they contain some of the highest concentrations of titanium. The world’s main titanium deposits are in Australia, North America, Scandinavia and Malaysia.