Tomsk Polytechnic University (TPU) scientists have developed a unique technique to produce tungsten carbide and other superhard materials. It is much simpler and more reliable than analogs. In addition, it allows using wastes containing similar materials as raw materials. The results were published in the International Journal of Refractory Metals and Hard Materials.

Surge Copper Signs Option Agreement to Acquire a 70% Interest in The Berg copper-molybdenum-silver project from Centerra Gold Inc. The company has signed a final option agreement with Trampson Creek Metals Company Inc. (a wholly-owned subsidiary of TSX listed company Centerra Gold Inc.) under which Surge is entitled to a 70% interest in the Berg copper-molybdenum mine. The Silver Project, through the issuance of Surge’s C$5 million common stock and an C$8 million spending commitment, in each case, the maximum period is five years.

Nova Royalty Corp. to increase the royalty interest of the Taca Taca copper-gold-molybdenum project. According to the report, Nova Royalty is pleased to announce that it has entered into royalty purchase agreements with existing shareholders of the Company under which Nova will acquire a combined, existing 0.18% net smelter return royalty on the Taca Taca copper-gold-molybdenum project in Salta Province of Argentina.

China debuts new high-speed bullet trains equipped with chromium-molybdenum alloy bolts which that operate in subzero temperatures. The high-speed bullet train called the CR400AF-G train that can work in exceedingly cold climates with a speed of up to 350 kilometers per hour in temperatures as low as -40 degrees Celsius. The project is part of the state-owned China State Railway Group's Fuxing series of high-speed electric multiple-unit trains.

The pandemic aid and spending package signed by US President Donald Trump last Sunday includes more than $800 million to fund rare earths and strategic minerals research, which was appreciated by mining companies. Some experts pointed out that no matter how China-US relations develop, we should expect that China will gradually reduce exports of rare earths in the future as domestic environmental protection awareness rises.

Canada's First Cobalt Corp said it signed a deal with Glencore and has agreed on a tentative pact with a unit of China Molybdenum Ltd (China Moly) for cobalt supplies from the Democratic Republic of the Congo.

Analysis of latest tungsten market from Chinatungsten Online

Ammonium paratungstate (APT) exporters in China are facing rising costs due to higher domestic prices for the material, causing them to raise their offers again this past week even though foreign buyers have shown little interest in purchasing at these already elevated levels.

Rare earth market quotation in China: terbium oxide, dysprosium oxide and praseodymium neodymium metal prices continue to rise on January 18, 2020.

China molybdenum price remains weak adjustment early in this week. International molybdenum oxide price stops rising, which makes domestic prices difficult to increase. 

Tungsten disulfide (WS₂) and molybdenum disulfide (MoS₂) 2D materials applied in controlling light and could provide high efficiency. Since the invention of the world’s first laser, the ruby laser, in 1960, humans’ desire to control light has spread to various industries, including telecommunications, medicine, GPS, optical sensors and optical computers. Recently, the POSTECH research team has taken a step toward the goal of controlling light by identifying nonlinear optical phenomena that occur in heterobilayers composed of two-dimensional materials.