The Retortillo project, Berkeley's main asset, received preliminary approval in 2013 but has since run into hurdles.

The focus will be on technologies in the fields of safe mine operations, decarbonisation, exploration processing and automation.

The deal represents a supply of about 37% of Vanadium Resources' planned annual flake production capacity.

The amount received represents a rebate of up to 50% of eligible exploration costs at its flagship Root Lake project in Canada.

MP Materials is the biggest producer of rare earths in the United States.

A string of mine closures has tightened concentrate availability with significant implications for the refined metal market.

More than 25 global auto and battery makers have expressed interest in buying nickel from its new Indonesian plant.

A stuttering recovery in lithium prices is providing a fresh reminder of why the dramatic rally of recent years was followed by an even more breathtaking collapse.