On the 7th, POSCO Holdings announced that it will jointly develop technology related to core minerals with the Korea Institute of Geoscience and Mineral Resources. Core minerals such as lithium and rare earth elements are drawing attention as essential raw materials for advanced industries, including secondary batteries, renewable energy, and semiconductors.
POSCO Holdings signed a memorandum of understanding for the joint development of core mineral-related technology at the Korea Institute of Geoscience and Mineral Resources in Daejeon on the 4th. Kim Gi-soo, head of the future technology research institute at POSCO Holdings, and Lee Pyeong-gu, head of the Korea Institute of Geoscience and Mineral Resources, were among those who attended the signing ceremony.
POSCO Holdings stated it will cooperate with the Korea Institute of Geoscience and Mineral Resources across all fields from core mineral exploration to extraction technology development. The two sides will establish a cooperative framework for the joint development of digital and artificial intelligence (AI) technologies related to core mineral resource exploration and evaluation technology, core mineral extraction technologies such as SUN KWANG, smelting, refining, and re-mineralization, as well as future technology development related to low-grade resource utilization and the exchange of networks and human resources domestically and internationally.
Kim Gi-soo, head of the future technology research institute at POSCO Holdings, noted, "Through this agreement, we will secure a stable supply chain for core minerals and rapidly develop core mineral extraction technology to contribute to enhancing our country's industrial global competitiveness."
POSCO Group is securing brine and ore lithium raw materials through ownership and equity investments in overseas brine lakes and mines, and is producing lithium hydroxide at its business sites both domestically and internationally.