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Well we've waited long enough so a bit longer is fine by me. The industrial strategy is starting to be trailed in the press now. Defence yesterday, public transport today, the critical minerals strategy will also be a part of it at some point this month. Could also be referenced in the remit for the green energy transition.

Their work includes Weardale Lithium of course- we will be supplying lithium for TVL to process and sell. They say they've raised 250 million dollars. The news had a decent impact on their sp but not on our's. Maybe Marchale should RNS this too?

Https://www.mpiuk.com/news-details.php?news_id=559#:~:text=Ahead%20of%20the%20UK%20Government's,approach%20to%20UK%20domestic%20production.

You may need to copy and paste.

This is a summary of the drivers behind the government's 2025 Critical Minerals Strategy. This strategy is linked to the forthcoming Industrial Strategy due next month, with introductions from the leads for each part to be forward trailed in the media.

Lithium is a critical mineral necessary to underpin the government plans for the transition to green energy and stimulating AI development in the UK. Lithium is used in EV batteries, for electric vehicles, phones, for elements of wind and solar power, for medical use and in semiconductors. Integral to these industries in short. We don't want to be dependent on China or Russia for these products so the UK, the EU, and other western countries are all keen to ensure other reliable lithium sources. At the moment that leaves Chile, Ukraine and believe it or not, the UK. Yes. We have lithium in the North East of England. Weardale Lithium based in Weardale on the site of a previous mine, discovered lithium and have tested extraction using the most eco friendly technologies available, successfully. They have partnered with Tees Valley Lithium who have started discussing long term investment with Touchstone and Ara Financiers. Tees Valley have already received £29million for various development from AI to green energy. Weardale have secured planning permission to build a mine and they have commissioned the engineers.

Meanwhile the government will announce a massive £113billion investment for their industrial strategy as the state investment. Many private investors are also committed. Some of these funds are headed this way. Weardale are a private company but Marchale Capital have bought 10% of the compan..hope that investors don't leave it too late to get in here.

They sometimes invest in their clients too. They advise, support with fundraising and directly invest in firms which they have an interest in.

I still think the news on the lithium mine has a lot of catalysts surrounding it. GBE has been launched and backed within our legislation now. Ed Milliband will be recognising key priorities. We already know the hub of activity around EV batteries in the North east is established. Everything, from mining the core minerals (lithium), to processing and supplying them for electric cars- which are also located in the North East of England. Nissan is now committed to increasing electric car production even whilst scaling back on production elsewhere in the world. They know that the Sunderland plant is embedded within a crucial mining and manufacturing environment with a well prepared local skills base alongside government led commitment to invest. Ambitions from the company to the area to government are lined up- to supply the UK lithium demand for EVs and to meet another 15% of Europe's needs. We have just signed a much closer trading agreement with the EU ensuring this objective as very realistic. 25000 tons of Lithium per year available for supply between Weardale and Tees Valley Lithium.

The bill sets up the new national energy company to drive investment for green energy. ED Milliband will make an announcement later this week to flag up priorities for investment. The company has about £60 billion and more is expected.

Tees Valley will certainly be on the list. Weardale are partnering with them for supply of lithium. Everyone leaves it to the last minute to buy in. As you can see these low prices could disappear in a flash once bigger investors realise this opportunity is here through Marechale.

Alkemy Capital have secured funding to take them through to complete their design for the site, to complete the FEED study and to allow the investment firm first options on longer term investment. The investment firm have a history of supporting early stage firms to commercialisation.

Additionally they have increases production capacity to 25000 tonnes a year. That should include 10,000 tonnes from Weardale Lithium who entered into an agreement with them at the end of February.

Still waiting for news from Tees Valley on their investment decisions from the £29 million they have been awarded for AI and green energy projects. It would be good if Weardale saw some direct investment so that they can get on and build their plant.

Https://www.theguardian.com/business/2025/may/15/nissan-open-making-cars-chinese-partner-sunderland-factory-ivan-espinosa?CMP=Share_AndroidApp_Other

According to the FT today. Would share but there's a pay wall. Looking at increasing production to about 280k. Discussing making cars for one of their partners. Is this about getting around tariffs or something?

Interesting that they're increasing production in Sunderland whilst making cuts elsewhere.

Meanwhile, Ed Milliband will advise on priorities for £60 billion worth of green investment for GBE in the next few days. I am wondering whether there could be any connection between these decisions?

Alkemy Capital have gained 45% in the last 10 days or so. I am feeling hopeful that these are more than happy coincidence. Expect a very ŕapid rise in our fortunes if funding for the plant and mining plans are confirmed with details. GLA.

I think we should start really moving now. £1 billion investment going into ģigafactories for EV batteries in the Sunderland now. Weardale Lithium will be supplying them.

Well done you.

Looks like some investors there think that funding is coming soon. 3 possibilities that will also impact us imo.

1. The £29 million signed off by Tees Valley Regeneration for AI and green technology. We're in the mix as a supplier of lithium for Alkemy. We have 10% of Weardale the supplier.

2. 300 million US dollars from Touchstone Capital agreement signed on 18th March- now discussing how to apply the funds. Could be uncertainty due to the carnage now badly affecting US investment companies. Still, we're a good bet. US investors flooding into our bonds. Not actually a good thing for the UK because it makes debt more expensive but could reduce the challenge for this initiative.

3. Government bringing forward the industrial strategy. Announcements on health, green investment and AI Still to come in the coming weeks. Already announced an extra £2.8 billion subsidies to encourage buying electric vehicles.

All this in a medium term macro environment of shifting global alliances. US no longer going to be seen as a safe investment space. UK leading the 'coalition of the willing' in defence with France. Better trading opportunities with the EU v likely imho. EU holding the line firmly on climate change. Critical minerals including lithium at the core of this dispute. Well. Alongside Trump's distorted mindset. Hold or buy?

Labour have just announced that they will be stimulating buying of electric vehicles with a £2.3 billion subsidy and they're putting in new electric charging points already- a new charging point is cropping up every half an hour. So 50 a day? They want to turbocharge investment in green tech in our country. We need to get new trading partnerships and we're pursuing them. We are now bringing forward the industrial strategy to the Spring- so next 3 months? A series of announcements on green technology, AI and housebuilding will follow.

I think it's lining up well for Weardale Lithium beyond the turbulence of the Trump impact.

The article is there actually if you click on the link. And check the ALK RNS'.

Hi Seaboy,

The link I've tried to share is from the local paper for Teesside at the weekend for Tees Valley. It reports that the first £80 million from £160 million earmarked has been signed off. The article breaks down which projects are included. £29million is allocated to green tech and AI. Tees Valley Lithium are part of the Tees Valley regeneration programme. Tees Valley Lithium are building a massive processing plant for Lithium which they intend to supply to the UK and European markets. They signed an agreement with Weardale on 18th March for them to supply Tees Valley Lithium.

Tees Valley Lithium own Alkemy- ticker ALK. You can read the RNS from 18th March on LSE. TVL are also in discussion with Touchstone Capital for an alleged £300 million. TVL are very ambitious and intend to be a major player in Lithium processing and distribution. Also on the ALK site. ALK is now trading at £1.00. Down a bit in the last 2 days of course. Thx to the American nutter currently occupying the most important role in the world.

Marchale Capital own 10% of Weardale which is a private company. So maybe that explains why we have fallen back. I don't think many people know that they have a stake in Weardale.

When will the sp rise? As soon as Alkemy get allocated some funds from Touchstone Capital or if Weardale get allocated a share of the £29 million directly to build their plant. They say they'll be processing lithium at scale next year and the plant is very light touch. The images on the website look like posh aluminium buildings. They've been testing the equipment for 3 years. It's high spec mining using water not franking or conventional drilling so it's a light touch on the environment and eco system.

£80 million from the first tranche of £160 million agreed today for Tees Valley. Green tech and AI name checked against a £29 milion tranche for business investment and £11.9 million for research and innovation. Tees Valley Lithium and Weardale Lithium should be in the mix. Should be enough for Weardale to start setting up the plant. TVL are also in talks with Touchstone Capital about a £300 million investment for their onside processing plant.

As a consequence of nut nuts tariffs. Think the best response we can have is to kick on with investment plans. We're going to look very attractive to investors in the UK with government co-ordnated investment in green energy, housing, AI and defence. Lower tariffs for now. By the looks of things we'll be leading the coalition 'of the willing' on defence. I can easily imagine us being invited to join an extended EU trading partnership to replace the US. Even if nut nut changes his mind he's wholly unreliable now. Surely everyone gets that now! We still have a better arrangement with the US- for how long we don't know- so we're less badly impacted.

Tees Valley Lithium are signing on the dotted line any time now with Touchstone Capital for £300million to get started on setting up for Lithium extraction with Weardale Lithium.

Don't know why we've fallen back so much. I suppose retail investors dislike delay but with 10000 tons of Lithium a year at Weardale from next year and investors getting lined up looks to me that folk are leaving it late. Big news will just see an immediate rerate and these prices are gone.

Https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/launch-of-the-uk-strategic-public-investment-

Have a read. The National Wealth Fund has already started invested in Cornish Lithium. Weardale has more lithium in the Pennine's than the Cornwall mines. This strategy has just been published- 19th March 2025.

Https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/launch-of-the-uk-strategic-public-investment-

forum/launch-of-the-uk-strategic-public-investment-forum

You'll have to copy and paste the link. Have a read. The National Wealth Fund has already started invested in Cornish Lithium. Weardale has more lithium in the Pennine's than the Cornwall mines. This strategy has just been published- 19th March 2025.

Well spotted Hogbog. Yes. Tees Valley Lithium have just appointed a new CEO to drive them forward in building their processing plant, investment and partnerships. Looking good for Weardale Lithium- who are supplying the lithium!

Even the Telegraph is waking up to the importance of lithium. Should start seeing investment coming into Weardale Lithium from everywhere in the next few months.