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A significant majority of businesses around the world expect to be negatively impacted by tariffs being enacted by US President Donald Trump, or other countries in response, a new survey suggests.

GlobalData’s Tariffs Sentiment Polls survey, carried out in the weeks after the US Government announced a 90-day pause on most US reciprocal tariffs on 9 April, found that nearly two-thirds (61%) of 497 respondents across its network of B2B news websites expect their businesses to be impacted negatively by tariffs over the next 12 months.

In its report outlining the survey results, GlobalData says of this level of concern: “Indeed, the risks of a US and global recession are growing. Despite the 90-day pause on most reciprocal tariffs, the near- and longer-term outlook is dogged by uncertainty, complicating investment and management decisions.”

Comparatively, only a fifth (20%) of respondents each indicated that they expect positive impacts or neither positive nor negative impacts.

Australian mining company Cobalt Blue has signed a pre-final investment decision (pre-FID) consortium deed with Iwatani Australia (IWA) to move the Kwinana Cobalt Refinery (KCR) project in Western Australia (WA) towards FID by 31 December 2025.

This collaboration is expected to culminate in Australia’s first cobalt sulphate refinery designed to produce high-quality, battery-grade cobalt sulphate, which is essential for the precursor cathode active material (pCAM) industry.

Under the terms of the deed, Cobalt Blue must produce cobalt samples at its Broken Hill Technology Centre that meet customer quality specifications using commercial-scale processes.

The Broken Hill Technology Centre has been piloting the KCR flowsheet since early 2024, with Tetra Tech appointed for detailed engineering works in July 2024 and Green Values handling permit applications later that year.

The companies plan to establish an incorporated joint venture, with Cobalt Blue holding a 70% ownership stake and IWA holding a 30% stake, subject to a positive FID.

Atlantic Lithium is in ongoing discussions with the Ghanaian Government to review the fiscal terms of the Ewoyaa project.

The Australian miner is seeking adjustments to Ghana’s mining revenue framework, which mandates a 10% state free carried interest and a special 13% royalty on lithium production revenue.

The negotiations aim to address the impact of falling lithium prices on the project’s economic feasibility.

Lithium prices have plummeted by more than 80% since their peak in 2022, and by about half since the Ewoyaa mining lease was granted in October 2023. 

Atlantic Lithium executive chairman Neil Herbert said: “We are dedicated to working in a spirit of partnership with the Government of Ghana and our host communities to ensure Ewoyaa becomes a flagship project for the country".

“While current lithium prices present headwinds, we believe that through collaboration and prudent fiscal measures, we can advance Ewoyaa to production and deliver lasting value for all stakeholders.”

Black Cat Syndicate has reached a major operational milestone with the first gold pour at its newly acquired 1.2 million tonnes per annum (mtpa) Lakewood processing facility, located 6km from Kalgoorlie in WA.

The company acquired 100% of the shares in Lakewood from Westgold Resources for a total consideration of A$85m ($53m).

Ore haulage to Lakewood commenced immediately post-acquisition, with the plant operating safely and smoothly without interruption.

The Lakewood processing facility is located within 40km of Black Cat’s wholly owned Kal East gold project and 24km from the Myhree underground mine.

The company has received approval for underground mining at the Myhree deposit, which is part of its Kal East gold project. Underground mining is scheduled to start after the completion of open-pit operations in October 2025, subject to operational priorities and planning requirements.

BHP has announced a collaboration with ACCIONA Energía, a renewable energy and infrastructure company, to evaluate the potential for a pumped hydro energy storage project at the Mt Arthur coal mine in New South Wales (NSW).

The move aligns with BHP’s strategy to responsibly transition the site towards closure by 2030.

The company has received approval from the NSW Government to extend mining activities until June 2030, ensuring a gradual transition.

Conceptual studies by BHP indicate that the pumped hydro project could support approximately 1,000 jobs during the construction phase, contribute to Muswellbrook’s ongoing economic activity, and supply power to up to half a million homes in NSW daily.

Over the next 12 months, ACCIONA Energía will conduct due diligence to assess the feasibility of transforming part of the Mt Arthur site into a pumped hydro facility.