Producers of battery metals and specialist chemicals for electric vehicles are outpacing carmakers like Tesla in the stock market as prices of key commodities climb.
While smaller mining businesses struggle to find workers due to border closures,large profitable companies in the industry are holding onto staff through culture and cash.
Pilbara Minerals managing director and chief executive Ken Brinsden says ‘dinosaurs’ in the industry need to be rehabbed and not just sent down the road to other companies.
Renewed optimism about the electric vehicle revolution and strengthening sales in China and Europe are sending the share prices of lithium producers like Pilbara Minerals soaring.
The ASX-listed miner expects demand to pick up as electric carmakers expand production and governments unleash"green"stimulus packages across the world.
If critical minerals become a new front in the contest between economic superpowers,Australia could benefit from an alliance with Japan.
The local bourse has closed at a fresh record high,as it came within a whisker of breaching the'emotional trigger point'of 7000 points.
WA police have charged a 30-year-old man from Craigie with murder following an investigation into a death that occurred at a pre-start meeting at Pilbara Mineral's Pilgangoora lithium mine.
Department of Industry,Innovation and Science figures reveal flat lithium export revenue figures for the next five years as supply overtakes demand.
The lithium train shows no sign of slowing in WA as the state's newest mine officially opens,with plans already in motion to expand the Pilbara operation.
BHP has deliberately derailed a driverless runaway train that carried 268 wagons loaded with ore for 92km across the Pilbara.