Why the West Needs to Secure Heavy Rare Earths for the Future of Advanced Manufacturing

Bojangles, the beloved Southern restaurant chain known for its famous breakfast and chicken, biscuits and tea, is taking a bold step toward sustainability and customer convenience. In a new partnership with Smart Big Box, Alyath EV and Energy and Environmental Design Services, Bojangles is set to install turnkey electric vehicle (EV) charging stations at a wide range of locations, making it a first-of-its-kind initiative in the QSR industry.

The charging stations will vary between level two (medium) and level three (high) speed charging efficiency with over 97% uptime, making them ready for drivers when they need it most. There will be a minimum of four charging spots per restaurant. 

“Bojangles’ focus is on offering a fast, friendly and convenient experience for our guests, and working with Alyath and Smart Big Box allows us to introduce a new convenience that aligns with evolving customer needs,” said Richard Del Valle, Chief Information Officer at Bojangles. "These top-of-the-line EV chargers will not only improve accessibility for our guests but also help drive an eco-friendlier future.”

Through this initiative, Bojangles aims to cater to the growing number of EV drivers seeking reliable charging options while on the go. The new charging stations will allow customers to power up their vehicles and enjoy Bojangles’ signature menu offerings and hospitality while they wait. 

“We’re thrilled to partner with Bojangles to bring fast, reliable and convenient EV charging to their locations nationwide,” said Cristiane Rosul, CEO of Alyath. “This initiative not only benefits EV drivers but also positions Bojangles as a leader in the future of quick-service dining. By integrating high-speed charging with great food, we’re creating a seamless experience that keeps customers moving.

Smart Big Box has contracted with Energy and Environmental Design Services as the exclusive installer and maintenance partner for all EV chargers, ensuring optimal performance and industry-leading uptime. 

The rollout of EV charging stations at Bojangles will begin in Q4 of 2025, and fans can expect to take advantage of the EV charging

Bojangles | www.bojangles.com

Alyath | https://alyath.com/

Wealth Minerals Ltd. (TSXV: WML) (OTCQB: WMLLF) (SSE: WMLCL) (FSE: EJZN) (the "Company" or "Wealth") announces the completion of the formation of its subsidiary Kuska Minerals SpA ("Kuska Minerals"), in which it has partnered with the Quechua Indigenous Community of Ollagüe ("Ollagüe Community") to further advance the development of the Kuska lithium project in the Salar de Ollagüe, Antofagasta Region, Chile (see news release dated May 27, 2025).

Along with the formation of the new company, its board of directors was established and held its first meeting. The board is composed of Mr. Hendrik "Henk" van Alphen, Mr. Marcelo Awad, Mr. Francisco Lepeley, Mr. Stephen Foot, and Mr. Victor Nina Huanca. The latter is the representative designated by the Ollagüe Community, exercising its right to appoint a member of the Kuska Minerals board.

In its first meeting, the board of directors agreed on certain operating rules and elected Mr. Marcelo Awad as chairman. Additionally, the progress of the Kuska project was discussed, as well as all the upcoming tasks the company will undertake. In this regard, the company reports that, according to publicly available information, the Ministry of Mining is leading an indigenous consultation process for Ollagüe and a small number of other locations, where it has decided to prioritize the granting of Special Lithium Operating Contracts (CEOLs) as a precondition for granting such contracts. In the case of Kuska Minerals, the company hopes to have a CEOL in the near-term, in order to complete the second exploration campaign, and initiate the pre-feasibility study and, in parallel, the environmental impact assessment.

Regarding the formation of the Kuska Minerals board of directors, Henk van Alphen, Wealth's CEO and Kuska Minerals' board member, stated, "We are very pleased to see the JV with the Quechua Indigenous Community of Ollagüe become a reality and to share the new board with Víctor Nina. Since our arrival in the Ollagüe territory more than five years ago, we have been planning this joint venture, which will allow us to develop the lithium project with the highest standards of participation and transparency, thus ensuring that the community directly benefits from the project in several ways."

Meanwhile, Víctor Nina Huanca, president of the Quechua Indigenous Community of Ollagüe and new director of Kuska Minerals, said, "Not only are we making history by being the first mining project or operation in Chile to integrate the community into its property, but this association format and my participation on the board of directors will allow us to ensure that the project is carried out with due respect and care for the environment of our territory, always keeping in mind the principles of our Cosmovision. Our community supports the execution of this project and hopes that the required permits, including the CEOL, are granted in a timely manner."

About the Kuska Project

The Kuska Project is located on 10,200 hectares in the Salar de Ollagüe area, Antofagasta Region, Chile. Wealth Minerals Ltd. began developing the Project in 2019 and has completed two exploration campaigns to date, which also led to the publication of an initial resource estimate ("Estimated Lithium Resources Ollagüe Project" published on SEDAR+ on January 13, 2023) under Canadian NI 43-101 standards. The study estimates indicated resources of 741,000 tonnes of Lithium Carbonate Equivalent ("LCE") with an average concentration of 175 mg/L, in addition to inferred resources of 701,000 tonnes of LCE with an average grade of 185 mg/L. Additionally, the Company has advanced the study of various direct lithium extraction ("DLE") technologies and published a preliminary economic assessment ("PEA") in February 2024, prepared by DRA Global Limited, which yielded very attractive profitability values ​​(IRR of 33% and a NPV at 10% discount of US$1.65 billion, pre-tax in both cases) for a 20,000 tonne LCE per year project with a 20-year mine life. In September 2024, the Chilean government announced that Ollagüe had been selected as part of an initial shortlist of salt flats being prioritized for CEOLs. It has opened application processes for this project, in which Wealth participated. From now on, the new company, Kuska Minerals, will take ownership and control of the Project. The Kuska Project has been an example of mining project development with community involvement, which will be reinforced with the formation of the new company.

Wealth Minerals | www.wealthminerals.com

Seaweed farmers have made the first-ever harvest at North Sea Farm 1, the world's first commercial-scale seaweed farm located in a field of wind turbines off the coast of Scheveningen in the Netherlands. The farm was created by North Sea Farmers with €2 million funding from Amazon's Right Now Climate Fund.

The harvest provides valuable insights to researchers looking into how seaweed farms could remove carbon from the atmosphere, contributing to climate resilience, and how to scale the cultivation of seaweed globally. Seaweed farms could also promote biodiversity and reduce agricultural pressure on land.

"The inaugural harvest of North Sea Farm 1 is a significant moment," said Eva Faict, Amazon Netherlands and Belgium country manager. "Together with North Sea Farmers, we have proven that cultivated seaweed farming among offshore wind turbines is a viable commercial concept."

By locating the farm between offshore wind turbines—a world first for a commercial-scale seaweed farm—North Sea Farmers found a way of securing physical space for the farm away from maritime traffic.

"Through ongoing scientific research, we aim to demonstrate whether farms like this can have a positive long-term impact on both biodiversity and climate change mitigation," said Eef Brouwers, Managing Director of North Sea Farmers. "At the same time, we're proving that seaweed production within an existing offshore infrastructure is possible at a commercial scale."

The harvesting process at North Sea Farm 1—spanning five hectares of the 'Hollandse Kust Zuid' wind farm—involves the use of a vessel carefully navigating between wind turbines, collecting seaweed from nets anchored to the seabed.

Plymouth Marine Laboratory , Deltares and Silvestrum Climate Associates have been monitoring the farm using satellite data, as well as site visits, to understand upper scaling limits for future projects.

Professor Ana M Queirós, Plymouth Marine Laboratory's Climate Change Lead, said: "We're very excited to understand the effects of the seaweed farm on the immediate and surrounding marine environment. Our analysis will follow the carbon from the seawater into the seaweed and the environment, and any effects on biodiversity.

"It's vital projects like this are underpinned with rigorous scientific evidence, particularly given the urgency of the climate and biodiversity crisis and the need to find scalable mitigation measures that produce genuinely beneficial and sustainable outcomes."

North Sea Farmers | https://www.northseafarmers.org/

Ingeteam is making a significant contribution to Australia’s decarbonisation process. The company will contribute its technology to the development of the Maryvale Solar and Energy Storage Project. This is the first DC-coupled solar-plus-storage hybrid project being developed in eastern Australia.

This hybrid system will comprise 243 MWp of installed PV power co-located with a 172 MW/2.4h battery energy storage system (BESS). Combining solar power generation with energy storage means this installation will produce more than 520 GWh of clean, reliable, firm energy annually, enough to power around 82,000 Australian households and prevent the emission of nearly 412,000 tonnes of CO₂. 

Clean energy solutions provider Gentari, the owner of the project, has just issued ‘Notice to Proceed’, prompting PCL Construction’ Solar District (PCL Solar) to begin the Engineering, Procurement and Construction (EPC) works. This hybrid renewable energy facility, which will feature 243 MWp of photovoltaics DC-coupled with a 2.4-hour of advanced Lithium Iron Phosphate (LFP) Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) capacity, is being developed in New South Wales, Australia, and is set to come into operation in Q2 2027. 

Ana Goyén, Ingeteam’s Solar PV & BESS director, said, “We are delighted to continue contributing our technology to decarbonising the energy mix of the Australian National Electricity Market”. She added that projects integrating solar and storage technology aim to balance sustainability and energy security, while offering greater potential for managing the solar resource and generating energy much more efficiently.

The photovoltaic panels will be connected to the batteries in ‘DC coupling’ mode. This means that the battery can be charged using solar power with no loss through DC to AC conversion. This allows the project to store solar energy during the day, when prices are typically lower, and discharge the batteries to utilise this electricity during evening demand peaks, when prices are usually higher. This makes the power conversion process more efficient and enabling the operating time range of the solar farm to be expanded, thus optimizing energy use by injecting the surpluses generated during the day at night. 

Combining solar generation with energy storage ensures the delivery of clean electricity over a long duration, enhancing grid stability and reliability thanks to the advanced auxiliary grid services offered by PV inverters. Ingeteam’s solution combines central solar inverters with modular DC-DC storage inverters, maximising energy availability through rack-level battery management.

For this project, the company will supply 32 power stations, including a total of 61 central PV inverters and 488 units of 430 kW DC-DC storage converters. Ingeteam will also provide its hybrid plant controller, which will manage the operation of the almost 400,000 PV panels and the 122 battery containers distributed across the site in a decentralised manner. The project will have a maximum export capacity of 172 MW into Australia’s National Electricity Market, and a maximum import capacity of 91 MW.

The Maryvale Solar and Energy Storage project has won a Long-Term Energy Storage Agreement (LTESA) from AEMO Services, acting as the NSW Consumer Trustee, in their fourth tender. This achievement highlights the importance of the project in supporting Australia’s transition to a clean electricity grid.

Ingeteam has been present in Australia for 12 years, during which time it has supplied over 4 GW and over 40 projects of solar PV / BESS projects to the country. 

Ingeteam | www.ingeteam.com

ESS Tech, Inc. (“ESS” or the “Company”) (NYSE:GWH), a leading manufacturer of iron flow long-duration energy storage (LDES) systems for commercial- and utility-scale applications, announced $31 million in insider-led funding measures. The package includes approximately $0.9 million in short-term loans from and warrants issued to a syndicated group led by members of ESS’ board of directors and the management team alongside participation from an investment fund managed by Yorkville Advisors Global, L.P. (“Yorkville”), a production tax credit transaction with an affiliate of SB Energy for approximately $0.8 million, an equipment sale lease back transaction with a U.S. strategic partner for $4.0 million cash with certain closing conditions, and execution of a Standby Equity Purchase Agreement with YA II PN, LTD (the “Investor”), giving ESS the right, but not the obligation, to sell up to $25 million of common equity to the Investor at the time of ESS’ choosing over a 3-year term, subject to certain customary limitations including shareholder approval for aggregate issuances in excess of 19.99% of the Company’s outstanding shares.

ESS additionally secured its first Energy Base order for an 8 MWh project consistent with the strategic shift to the 10+ hour product announced in February. ESS recently completed measures to implement streamlined operations and reduced cash requirements, achieving a reduction of approximately 80% in monthly cash burn in June compared to the monthly average for the first 5 months of 2025. Preliminary unaudited financial results for the second quarter of 2025 compared to the first quarter demonstrate nearly 300% increase in revenue, combined with a 22% decrease in the cost of revenue, a 37% decrease in operating expenses, a 43% improvement in net loss, and a 49% improvement in adjusted EBITDA. The funding measures complement these efforts and bolster the Company’s cash position moving forward. In addition, ESS’s directors will forego payment of cash compensation for 2025 under the Company’s outside director compensation policy.

“I am pleased to announce these transactions with our key partners coupled with a broader capital markets transaction that supports ongoing execution of our strategic pivot. This funding helps to strengthen our cash position to allow us to focus on the completion of key Energy Base contracting opportunities and to secure our broader capital raise,” said Kelly Goodman, Interim Chief Executive Officer. This funding announcement builds on significant technical momentum for ESS’ proprietary battery technology, including demonstration of extended duration of 12.2 hours at rated power and 17.8 hours at reduced power. The focused Energy Base product offering is manufactured entirely in the United States.

ESS Tech | www.essinc.com

The Michigan Public Service Commission (MPSC) approved the state’s first new interstate transmission line in 50 years, paving the way for improved grid reliability, job creation, and clean energy deployment. Clean Grid Alliance (CGA) and the Michigan Energy Innovation Business Council (Michigan EIBC) applauded the decision, which will bring significant benefits to Michiganders.

The MPSC approved the certificates of public convenience and necessity for the Helix-Hiple and the Nelson Road-Oneida transmission line projects, known as "Line 17 and 18" in the Midcontinent Independent System Operators (MISO) Long-Range Transmission Plan (LRTP) Tranche 1 project portfolio.

The Helix-Hiple line represents approximately 55 miles of new 345 kilovolts (kV) lines stretching from northern Indiana to Helix, a new substation located southwest of Lansing. The Nelson Road-Oneida line is approximately 40 miles of new 345 kV transmission that will run from Oneida Township to the Nelson Road substation in New Haven Township. Together, these lines will facilitate Michigan’s ability to import and export electricity, boosting reliability and clean energy development.

CGA and Michigan EIBC intervened in the MPSC proceedings to support regulatory approval of the lines. Under Michigan law, the MPSC must determine that the transmission projects will bring sufficient public benefits to justify its construction.

“Investing in transmission infrastructure will spur innovation and allow Michigan to continue to realize the economic and jobs benefits that come with being a leader in the clean energy industry,” said Natalie Lyijynen, Sustainable Business Associate at Michigan EIBC. “These projects are not just about moving electricity – they’re about building the foundation for a generation fleet increasingly powered by lower-cost, renewable energy and supporting Michigan’s growing clean energy economy.”

“Clean Grid Alliance is very pleased that the Helix-Hiple and Nelson Road-Oneida Projects have received regulatory approval, and utilities can now get to work on these critical infrastructure projects. Regional transmission provides huge benefits for electric grid reliability, resilience, and affordability, and will deliver clean, affordable energy to homes and businesses across Michigan," said Elizabeth Wheeler, Senior Counsel and Director of Regulatory Advocacy at Clean Grid Alliance.

“As the owner and operator of the high-voltage electric transmission grid in the majority of Michigan’s lower peninsula, ITC applauds the MPSC’s approval of the Act 30 certificate,” said Chuck Marshall, President, ITC Michigan. “The LRTP Tranche 1 Michigan projects are strategically engineered to improve grid reliability and resiliency, support the state’s economic development efforts and enable the safe and reliable movement of power to our communities.”

The lines are expected to bring Michigan $6.2 billion in financial benefits over the next 20 years. Once completed, these lines will have enough capacity to supply power to 1.7 million homes and will create approximately 34,000 jobs over the course of their lifetimes.

The Tranche 1 LRTP portfolio of projects was approved by MISO in July 2022 and will provide $37 billion in regional economic benefits over 20 years and improve grid reliability and integration of new renewable energy resources. The Tranche 1 transmission lines are "least-regrets" projects because they are foundational to solving long-standing reliability and efficiency concerns on the regional grid.

Once constructed, the Helix-Hiple and Nelson Road-Oneida lines will serve as critical components of a stronger, smarter, and cleaner grid – reducing the risk of outages, enabling greater renewable energy integration, and ensuring electricity remains a reliable economic backbone for Michigan.

Clean Grid Alliance | https://cleangridalliance.org/

Michigan EIBC l https://www.mieibc.org/ 

DTEK, Ukraine’s largest private energy company, and Fluence Energy, Inc. (“Fluence”) (NASDAQ: FLNC), a global energy storage leader, have announced the early start of commissioning for Ukraine’s largest battery energy storage project and one of the biggest in Eastern Europe.

The deployment of 200 MW of connected power across six locations is now entering the final phase of delivery, which includes commissioning, testing and first discharge of the batteries.

Six hundred and ninety eight Fluence Gridstack cubes with the batteries have been installed at six energy storage sites – each one with a capacity of between 20 MW and 50 MW. Collectively, they are able to store 400 MWh of electricity – enough to power 600,000 Ukrainian homes for two hours.

Under the contract with grid operator Ukrenergo, commercial operations are set to begin in October 2025 – in time for the start of Ukraine’s crucial winter heating season.

Announced at the Ukraine Recovery Conference in Rome, it marks the first major energy project to be delivered since the signing of the US-Ukraine Economic Partnership Agreement in April.

Once fully operational, the systems will provide frequency and power reserve as well as balancing services to reinforce Ukraine’s grid. This is especially critical during outages and to reduce the necessity of implementing rolling power outages that affect the population and economy.

Maxim Timchenko, DTEK CEO, said: “With our partner Fluence we are fast-tracking innovation, building homegrown technical expertise and showing that even in wartime, progress is achievable. This battery storage facility is proof of our determination to build back stronger. Together, we’re taking an important step towards a more secure and resilient energy system of Ukraine.”

Julian Nebreda, CEO of Fluence, said: “The project with DTEK to build a strong and decentralized energy system for enhanced energy security in Ukraine is perfectly aligned with our mission to transform the way we power our world. It is also one of the most impactful projects in our company’s history. The remote commissioning approach we have introduced ensures continuity and operational efficiency amid travel restrictions and will also enable faster scaling of any future deployments.”

Due to the challenges of war and restricted access in Ukraine, this is the first project Fluence has commissioned fully remotely. As part of the delivery, 20 Ukrainian power engineers and operations specialists completed advanced training on Fluence’s existing projects in Germany and Finland. The training has prepared them to manage the energy storage systems safely and independently, respond to emergencies and quickly resolve potential malfunctions.

Fluence will continue to support commissioning and operations of the project remotely through diagnostics, testing and performance monitoring to ensure safe and efficient deployment in wartime conditions. 

Fluence | https://fluenceenergy.com/

DTEK | https://dtek.com/en/