Latest news with #Westwater
Business Wire
17-07-2025
- Business
- Business Wire
Westwater Resources Supports U.S. Department of Commerce Anti-Dumping Ruling on Chinese Graphite
CENTENNIAL, Colo.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Westwater Resources, Inc. (NYSE American: WWR), an energy technology and battery-grade natural graphite company ('Westwater' or the 'Company'), announced today its support of the U.S. Department of Commerce's ('DOC') preliminary determination in the anti-dumping investigation of graphite-based anode materials imported from the People's Republic of China. This ruling represents the second major decision by the DOC targeting practices by Chinese producers. While the initial May 2025 ruling addressed countervailing duties and determined that Chinese companies were receiving unfair government subsidies, this latest decision concludes that Chinese producers have been selling graphite-based anode materials into the U.S. market at unfairly low prices - thereby harming domestic producers. 'This second decision by the DOC is even more impactful than the first,' said Jon Jacobs, Chief Commercial Officer of Westwater. 'The cumulative effect of the new anti-dumping duties, countervailing duties, and other tariffs in effect makes it economically clear that batteries built in the U.S. should use graphite made in the U.S.' With the new rates layered on top of previously established duties and tariffs, total import penalties on Chinese graphite-anode material now exceed 100%, and in some cases are much higher, depending on the producer: Section 301 tariffs: 25% Retaliatory tariffs: 30% DOC countervailing duties: 11.55 – 721% DOC anti-dumping duties: 93.5% TOTAL tariffs/duties: 160 – 869.5% The initial May ruling was updated July 3, 2025, increasing the countervailing duty rate from 6.55% to 11.55%, further strengthening U.S. trade protections for this critical mineral. 'These two rulings by the DOC are distinct from legislative-driven global trade tariffs,' added Jacobs. 'They reflect long-term support for U.S.-based graphite production. That kind of clarity and pricing stability is what's needed to finance and build a domestic graphite industry that will compete globally over the long term.' About Westwater Resources, Inc. Westwater Resources is an energy technology company that is focused on developing battery-grade natural graphite. Westwater Resources' primary project is the Kellyton Graphite Processing Plant that is under construction in east-central Alabama. In addition, Westwater Resources' Coosa Graphite Deposit is the largest and most advanced natural flake graphite deposit in the contiguous United States — and is located across 41,965 acres (~17,000 hectares) in Coosa County, Alabama. For more information, visit Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Statements This news release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements are subject to risks, uncertainties and assumptions and are identified by words and phrases such as 'initial,' 'preliminary,' 'latest,' 'more impactful,' 'cumulative,' 'economically clear,' 'layered on top,' 'exceed,' 'updated,' 'increasing,' 'strengthening,' 'long-term support,' and other similar words or phrases. Forward looking statements include, among other things, statements concerning: the importance of critical minerals including battery-grade graphite; establishing a graphite industry in the U.S.; tariffs associated with the importation of natural graphite into the U.S. including the percentage of those tariffs and the countries for which tariffs will apply; the Company's business plans for its Kellyton Graphite Processing Plant; and efforts to manage existing off-take agreements or to put new supply agreements into place for the products from that Plant. The Company cautions that there are factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from the forward-looking information that has been provided. The reader is cautioned not to put undue reliance on this forward-looking information, which is not a guarantee of future performance and is subject to a number of uncertainties and other factors, many of which are outside the control of the Company; accordingly, there can be no assurance that such suggested results will be realized. Those uncertainties and other factors are discussed in Westwater's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2024, and subsequent securities filings, and they could cause actual results to differ materially from management expectations.
Yahoo
12-06-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Bill targets 'glaring loophole' in abuser registry law
BOSTON (SHNS) – As disability advocates again push to strengthen abuse protections through a string of refiled bills, the general counsel of an independent state agency charged with handling allegations and investigations says there was no pushback to previous legislative efforts. The latest proposals, intended to improve operations at the Disabled Persons Protection Commission, would also expand the scope of Nicky's Law, which created a state registry of certain providers who abused individuals ages 18-59 with intellectual and developmental disabilities. 'We did not have any opposition last session, and we have reached out to stakeholders. Anybody that has any questions around this bill, we're like, 'Please call us, we'll speak to you about it.' We've heard nothing,' Julie Howley Westwater, general counsel at the DPPC, told the News Service Tuesday. Referencing the Department of Children and Families and the Executive Office of Aging and Independence, she added, 'There were initially some questions around the confidentiality provision and there was some concern that, does that mean we're not going to share records when we should? We clarified that and said, 'No, we want the same protection of records as DCF and AGE.'' The Joint Committee on Children, Families and Persons with Disabilities favorably reported out redrafted legislation last session on Feb. 15, but the House Ways and Means Committee did not advance it. 'It's so frustrating for us because we feel like this really is a bill that will protect a lot of people with disabilities, and it's not going to cost any additional money to do that,' Westwater said. The DPPC faced scrutiny last year after the Massachusetts Coalition of Families and Advocates sounded the alarm about abusive providers potentially slipping through the cracks on the registry and continuing to care for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Providers can petition for their cases to be reviewed after officials make initial determinations that their conduct constituted abuse. Pending bills from Reps. Sean Garballey and Simon Cataldo and Sen. John Keenan (H 243 / S 139) would update and accelerate the DPPC's process for referring reports of alleged abuse to agencies within the Executive Office of Health and Human Services in situations with an 'imminent risk of substantial harm to the person with a disability,' according to a commission summary. The bills streamline how reports are filed in non-emergency situations, codify that privileged and confidential information within DPPC reports are not public records, and remove terms limits for DPPC commissioners. 'For several consecutive sessions, this legislation has received a favorable report from the committee, and I respectfully request that you do so again so that we build on that momentum,' Keenan told the committee during a hearing Tuesday. DPPC fields more than 15,000 abuse reports each year, said DPPC Executive Director Nancy Alterio. 'In every case, DPPC seeks a positive and just outcome, whether that be additional supports for the victim, removal of the abuser from serving this population, or at the very least preventing similar circumstances from occurring in the future,' Alterio said. 'Changes in this bill, while seemingly small, will improve vital areas of the DPPC's operations, require no additional appropriation, has been duly vetted and debated, and will enhance the safety of persons with disabilities throughout the commonwealth, so that we can provide the best possible response for every one of the 15,000 citizens who reach out the DPPC for assistance.' Echoing a narrower proposal from Sen. Michael Moore (S 165), the DPPC reforms bills would also broaden the abuser registry to enable MassHealth day habilitation program providers to consult the database. For now, the registry only installs guardrails around individuals who receive care from the Department of Development Services. Providers whose names appear on the registry are barred from working for DDS or DDS-contracted employers for five years. 'We have a glaring loophole in the law. This exclusion allows numerous abusive care providers to keep working with the vulnerable population,' Moore said. 'S 165 is necessary to ensure that no mistreatment goes unreported.' Committee member Rep. John Marsi thanked Moore for tackling the issue. 'I know this didn't quite get over the finish line last session, but I hear from a lot of people in my community that this is very important,' Marsi, a Dudley Republican, said. Maura Sullivan, CEO of The Arc of Massachusetts, said the proposals to update Nicky's Law, which former Gov. Charlie Baker signed in 2020, would fill a 'dangerous gap.' Sullivan, who has two sons with autism, recalled how she advocated for the original law to 'keep people like my sons safe from abusers.' 'Now, my sons are part of the adult service world, and I am grateful that the registry is doing its job. Over 150 known abusers are prohibited from hurting or neglecting people with IDD, but not in MassHealth day hab programs,' Sullivan said. 'Seven or 8,000 people are served by day habs, and at least a 1,000 or more are waiting.' Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
National Post
29-05-2025
- Business
- National Post
Westwater Resources Supports U.S. Department of Commerce Decision on Chinese Graphite Anode Material
Article content CENTENNIAL, Colo. — Westwater Resources, Inc. (NYSE American: WWR), an energy technology and battery-grade natural graphite company ('Westwater' or the 'Company'), announced today its support of the U.S. Department of Commerce's ('DOC') preliminary determination in the countervailing duty investigation of anode material from the People's Republic of China. The DOC's initial ruling determined that Chinese producers of anode material are receiving unfair government subsidies, and as a result, are now expected to be subject to U.S. import tariffs of up to 721%. Article content 'This important decision by the DOC is another step toward leveling the playing field for U.S. producers,' said Jon Jacobs, Westwater's Chief Commercial Officer. 'We expect this announcement to accelerate off-take agreements with Westwater and to positively affect our ongoing financing efforts. U.S. automaker and cellmaker buyers are increasingly concluding that executing offtake supply agreements with U.S. producers like Westwater is the surest way to avoid import tariffs and is therefore their most economical long-term solution.' Article content Pursuant to the preliminary determination, select Chinese natural and artificial graphite anode material producers will be subject to U.S. import tariffs of up to 721% in addition to pre-existing Section 301 and reciprocal tariffs already totaling 55%. Article content The DOC is also conducting a concurrent antidumping investigation into anode materials imports from the People's Republic of China. This investigation is focused on determining whether Chinese producers are selling graphite-based anode materials in the United States at unfairly low prices – thereby harming U.S. producers. A preliminary decision is expected in July, and if the DOC finds sufficient evidence of dumping, it could impose additional duties and broader penalties. Article content Mr. Jacobs added, 'The outcome of the antidumping investigation is expected to play a critical role in supporting the development of a robust, secure, and fair domestic supply chain for graphite and battery materials, which are vital to U.S. energy independence and national security. For companies like Westwater Resources that are investing in sustainable, U.S.-based production capabilities, these trade actions should help reduce the nation's reliance on foreign supply chains and benefit domestic producers.' Article content Westwater Resources is an energy technology company that is focused on developing battery-grade natural graphite. Westwater Resources' primary project is the Kellyton Graphite Processing Plant that is under construction in east-central Alabama. In addition, Westwater Resources' Coosa Graphite Deposit is the largest and most advanced natural flake graphite deposit in the contiguous United States — and is located across 41,965 acres (~17,000 hectares) in Coosa County, Alabama. For more information, visit Article content Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Statements Article content This news release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements are subject to risks, uncertainties and assumptions and are identified by words and phrases such as 'initial,' 'preliminary,' 'important,' 'expect,' 'accelerate,' 'positively impact,' 'ongoing efforts,' 'level the playing field,' 'increasing,' 'surest way,' 'most economical,' 'additional,' 'broader,' 'critical,' 'help reduce,' and other similar words or phrases. Forward looking statements include, among other things, statements concerning: the importance of critical minerals including battery-grade graphite; establishing a graphite industry in the U.S.; tariffs associated with the importation of natural graphite into the U.S. including the percentage of those tariffs and the countries for which tariffs will apply; the Company's business plans for its Kellyton Graphite Processing Plant; and efforts to manage existing off-take agreements or to put new supply agreements into place for the products from that Plant. The Company cautions that there are factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from the forward-looking information that has been provided. The reader is cautioned not to put undue reliance on this forward-looking information, which is not a guarantee of future performance and is subject to a number of uncertainties and other factors, many of which are outside the control of the Company; accordingly, there can be no assurance that such suggested results will be realized. Those uncertainties and other factors are discussed in Westwater's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2024, and subsequent securities filings, and they could cause actual results to differ materially from management expectations. Article content Article content Article content Article content Contacts Article content Article content Article content
Business Wire
29-05-2025
- Business
- Business Wire
Westwater Resources Supports U.S. Department of Commerce Decision on Chinese Graphite Anode Material
CENTENNIAL, Colo.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Westwater Resources, Inc. (NYSE American: WWR), an energy technology and battery-grade natural graphite company ('Westwater' or the 'Company'), announced today its support of the U.S. Department of Commerce's ('DOC') preliminary determination in the countervailing duty investigation of anode material from the People's Republic of China. The DOC's initial ruling determined that Chinese producers of anode material are receiving unfair government subsidies, and as a result, are now expected to be subject to U.S. import tariffs of up to 721%. 'This important decision by the DOC is another step toward leveling the playing field for U.S. producers,' said Jon Jacobs, Westwater's Chief Commercial Officer. 'We expect this announcement to accelerate off-take agreements with Westwater and to positively affect our ongoing financing efforts. U.S. automaker and cellmaker buyers are increasingly concluding that executing offtake supply agreements with U.S. producers like Westwater is the surest way to avoid import tariffs and is therefore their most economical long-term solution.' Pursuant to the preliminary determination, select Chinese natural and artificial graphite anode material producers will be subject to U.S. import tariffs of up to 721% in addition to pre-existing Section 301 and reciprocal tariffs already totaling 55%. The DOC is also conducting a concurrent antidumping investigation into anode materials imports from the People's Republic of China. This investigation is focused on determining whether Chinese producers are selling graphite-based anode materials in the United States at unfairly low prices - thereby harming U.S. producers. A preliminary decision is expected in July, and if the DOC finds sufficient evidence of dumping, it could impose additional duties and broader penalties. Mr. Jacobs added, 'The outcome of the antidumping investigation is expected to play a critical role in supporting the development of a robust, secure, and fair domestic supply chain for graphite and battery materials, which are vital to U.S. energy independence and national security. For companies like Westwater Resources that are investing in sustainable, U.S.-based production capabilities, these trade actions should help reduce the nation's reliance on foreign supply chains and benefit domestic producers.' About Westwater Resources, Inc. Westwater Resources is an energy technology company that is focused on developing battery-grade natural graphite. Westwater Resources' primary project is the Kellyton Graphite Processing Plant that is under construction in east-central Alabama. In addition, Westwater Resources' Coosa Graphite Deposit is the largest and most advanced natural flake graphite deposit in the contiguous United States — and is located across 41,965 acres (~17,000 hectares) in Coosa County, Alabama. For more information, visit Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Statements This news release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements are subject to risks, uncertainties and assumptions and are identified by words and phrases such as 'initial,' 'preliminary,' 'important,' 'expect,' 'accelerate,' 'positively impact,' 'ongoing efforts,' 'level the playing field,' 'increasing,' 'surest way,' 'most economical,' 'additional,' 'broader,' 'critical,' 'help reduce,' and other similar words or phrases. Forward looking statements include, among other things, statements concerning: the importance of critical minerals including battery-grade graphite; establishing a graphite industry in the U.S.; tariffs associated with the importation of natural graphite into the U.S. including the percentage of those tariffs and the countries for which tariffs will apply; the Company's business plans for its Kellyton Graphite Processing Plant; and efforts to manage existing off-take agreements or to put new supply agreements into place for the products from that Plant. The Company cautions that there are factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from the forward-looking information that has been provided. The reader is cautioned not to put undue reliance on this forward-looking information, which is not a guarantee of future performance and is subject to a number of uncertainties and other factors, many of which are outside the control of the Company; accordingly, there can be no assurance that such suggested results will be realized. Those uncertainties and other factors are discussed in Westwater's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2024, and subsequent securities filings, and they could cause actual results to differ materially from management expectations.
Business Wire
27-05-2025
- Business
- Business Wire
Westwater Resources Announces Successful Patent Application for the Kellyton Graphite Plant
CENTENNIAL, Colo.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Westwater Resources, Inc. (NYSE American: WWR) an energy technology and battery-grade natural graphite development company, today announced it received a Notice of Allowance from the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office ('PTO') that Westwater's patent application is approved for issuance. Westwater filed an application, in August 2021, to patent methods of purifying graphite at the Kellyton Graphite Plant. With this Notice, PTO's examination of the application is complete. 'Over the past 4 years, Westwater has diligently worked with the PTO as it considered our patent application,' said John W. Lawrence, Westwater's Chief Administrative Officer, General Counsel and Secretary. 'We are extremely pleased that the examination process is now successfully complete, and we expect to receive the patent shortly.' About Westwater Resources, Inc. Westwater Resources is focused on developing battery-grade natural graphite products. The Company's primary project is the Kellyton Graphite Plant that is under construction in east-central Alabama. In addition, the Company's Coosa graphite deposit is the most advanced natural flake graphite deposit in the contiguous United States, which is located across 41,965 acres (~17,000 hectares) in Coosa County, Alabama. For more information, visit Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Statements This news release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements are subject to risks, uncertainties and assumptions and are identified by words such as 'examination,' 'issuance,' and other similar words. Forward looking statements include, among other things, statements concerning the method of purifying graphite at the Kellyton Graphite Plant. The reader is cautioned not to put undue reliance on forward-looking information, which is not a guarantee of future performance and is subject to a number of uncertainties and other factors, many of which are outside the control of the Company and discussed in Westwater's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2024, and subsequent securities filings.
