EnergyX has signed an MoU with Compass Minerals to build a 30,000 tpa direct lithium extraction and refining plant at Compass’s existing Ogden brine operation near Utah’s Great Salt Lake, using an established brine stream and returning processed brine to the current sulphate of potash and magnesium chloride system. Compass has already invested an estimated $70–80 million in lithium-related equipment, cutting upstream drilling and CapEx risk and potentially simplifying permitting. EnergyX is targeting a 2028 construction start and plans to produce lithium carbonate on-site without additional Great Salt Lake water withdrawals.

Mineral Resources is restarting the Bald Hill lithium mine in Western Australia after an 18‑month shutdown, bringing back a 58 Mt resource grading 0.9% Li₂O and nameplate output of 165,000 dmt per year of 5.1% spodumene concentrate (about 140,000 dmt SC6 equivalent). Ramp‑up will see crushing and mining restart next month, first concentrate in July, first shipment via the Port of Esperance in Q1 FY2027 and full capacity in Q2. Once online, MinRes will be the only operator running three hard‑rock lithium mines with on‑site concentrate plants, alongside Wodgina and Mt Marion.

Mounting EU pressure to phase out Russian uranium and fuel services, which still provide about 25% of the bloc’s enrichment via Rosatom’s 43% share of global capacity, is pushing utilities towards Canadian supply, with Canada already covering more than 30% of EU uranium imports in 2024. Cameco, owner of 49% of Westinghouse, is positioned to capture long-term contracts as AP1000 reactor projects advance in Poland and Bulgaria and VVER units in Finland, Bulgaria, Slovakia and Ukraine convert to Western fuel. Analysts warn, however, that replacing Russian enrichment could take up to a decade due to limited Western capacity.