Associated News, page-3184

I agree- this bodes very well for TECH... IF , & when, it receives significant Fed. govt. funding. Funding does appear, eventually, IMO very likely.

(Assuming Ni prices can recover to a "permanent" US $20k+ pt. The huge drop in NI prices from c.US 29500 in Feb 2022, to a low of c. US $15500 in Feb. 2024 [but recovered to c.US $19050 today], has contributed to the current 'On-hold' status for the TECH project, amongst other matters).


Whilst most would be, understandably, very disappointed/angry at the current CR, various geopolitical & ESG factors are, however, improving the likelihood the TECH project will, IMO, eventually proceed, & be successful.

1.Indonesian cheap & dirty Ni (their mining & refining of dirty Ni laterites- cf QPM CO2 negative outcomes- require massive coal power, dumping vast contaminated tailings into the ocean etc., Indon workers' well-publicised health & conditions' protests etc.) contradicts much of the US & EU etc widely proclaimed green philosophy & trade, & ESG laws.

eg These ESG concerns & legislation are specifically enshrined in the 2023 EU Green Passport legislation (ie tracing & publicly recording the CO2 impact of making EV's & their Ni etc. batteries).

The US, EU, UK & other western democratic countries have already decided, from 2022, to protect vital supply chains & energy independence; & to end reliance on, specifically, China & Russia, as soon as practicable..
This will be achieved, eventually, by home production ("on-shoring"), & importing via"friend-shoring" nations. Critical minerals, including Ni, have been deemed as part of the EV etc. crucial supply chains that need to be protected. Australia, A "Friend", will be a major beneficiary.


Whilst this 14.5.24 US legislation (see below) imposing new, large tariffs on Chinese-made EV's does not specifically mention Ni in the "unfairly low prices" China can sell its cheap batteries & EV's, it is logical, IMO, that China will facefurtherwestern penalties/restrictions/exclusions on Chinese-made EV's- because of their cheap & dirty Ni battery etc. usage.

The Independent A. Feinberg 15.5.24 said

"President Biden...imposed a full 100 per cent tariff on Chinese-made electric vehicles and imposed or increasedtariffson a wide range of Chinese-made goods in an effort to prevent them from flooding US markets...

The Chinese government’s heavy subsidies for those state-owned enterprises let them “produce far more than the rest of the world can absorb,” he added, with the end result of “dumping the excess products onto the market at UNFAIRLY LOW PRICES (my emphases)” and “driving other manufacturers around the world out of business”.

The president recalled how the advent of cheap Chinese steel had devastated towns in Pennsylvania and Ohio in the early 2000s, costing thousands of workers their jobs...

Specifically, Mr Biden said he was authorising 25 per cent tariffs on Chinese-made steel and aluminium meant to directly counter “Chinese overcapacity” in both sectors, in tandem with $1.5bn in investments his administration has made in supporting the construction of new, ENVIRONMENTALLY-FRIENDLY (my emphases) steel and aluminium facilities here in the US...

He also said he was imposing a full 100 per cent tariff on Chinese-made electric vehicles in an effort to ensure American dominance in that sector.

Mr Biden also announced a 25 per cent tariff on Chinese-made EV batteries and one of the same percentage on China-sourced “critical minerals” used to make those batteries...

The president added that the US and other American allies are making serious investments in EV infrastructure such as charging stations, and all parties involved want a SUPPLY CHAIN for EVs “that isn't dominated by UNFAIR TRADE (all my emphases) practices from China”.

https://www.msn.com/en-au/news/other/biden-imposes-strategic-and-targeted-tariffs-on-chinese-electric-vehicles-and-batteries/ar-BB1mnPNI?ocid=msedgdhp&pc=LCTS&cvid=8335aa7a8222497f8f55ca198164b2a

2.There are currently occuring in New Caledonia large protests, over proposed French Constitutional reform proposals.

Curfew imposed in New Caledonia following riots over constitutional reform - ABC News

It can be assumed the French govt. wants to ensure that the New Caledonia economy is sound, & will continue to grow- not least, to increase support for the union with France; & try to decrease support for the separatists.

Australia has publicly stated it wants French influence, & military strength, to remain in the pacific...perhaps some quiet diplomacy may occur, which will eventually assist QPM's TECH.

A successful TECH project, therefore, would be very appealing to the French govt., and to the Australian govt. The vast amounts of otherwise Ni waste that TECH would import from NC would attract profitable returns for NC. I suspect that France may also be a partner/provide financial support for TECH.