titanium

The AI boom is driving increased demand for turbine blades and vanes used in aircraft engines and gas turbines powering data centers. Four specialized manufacturers—Howmet Aerospace, Precision Castparts, Consolidated Precision Products, and Doncasters Group—dominate Western production, benefiting from high technical barriers, long lead times, and pricing power, though expansion risks include material shortages and past industry downturns.

A Florida-based company, Odyssey Marine Exploration, seeks to mine mineral-rich sands off Virginia’s Atlantic coast, risking harm to marine ecosystems and local communities. The Trump administration is accelerating permits for such operations, despite concerns about environmental damage and threats to endangered species like whales and sea turtles.

A Whatnot seller named 'Mythic Moon Jewelry' was accused of scamming customers by selling copper jewelry labeled as .925 silver. An XRF scan revealed the item contained only 0.44% silver, with the majority being copper, cadmium, and titanium. The seller dismissed the complaint and blocked the buyer, though the platform issued a refund.

Bayelsa has 40 active mineral titles, including 12 for ilmenite and titanium mining, as Governor Douye Diri warns that unregulated black sand extraction could cause environmental damage and erosion, prompting calls for stricter mining regulations.

Mozambique will take a 15% stake in domestic mining ventures and ban exports of non-processed minerals to prioritize local processing. The policy aligns with similar moves in other African nations, including DR Congo and Zimbabwe, to increase government control over critical minerals like graphite, gold, copper, titanium, and tantalum. Experts warn that smelting and refining could introduce volatility into the value chain.