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China’s Copper Imports Increase Despite Manufacturing Slowdown

China’s refined copper imports have surged, reaching a year-high in October, despite a manufacturing sector that is struggling to gain momentum. The increase in imports, including a backlog clearance from the Democratic Republic of Congo, raises questions about the destination of this influx in copper. Copper Import Trends October saw China import 353,000 metric tons of refined copper, the highest…

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    El Salvador Appeals for Truckers’ Corridor Amid Protests at Cobre Panama Mine

    El Salvador Appeals for Truckers’ Corridor Amid Protests at Cobre Panama Mine

    The Salvadoran government, led by Foreign Affairs Minister Alexandra Hill Tinoco, has called for a humanitarian corridor for truckers stranded amidst ongoing protests in Panama against First Quantum Minerals’ Cobre Panama mine. Protests Escalate in Panama Protests, which began in mid-October, have escalated recently, with reports of activists attacking mine workers. The unrest has disrupted crucial supplies to the mine,...

    Nickel Industries Courts EV Players for Indonesia Plant Stake

    Nickel Industries Courts EV Players for Indonesia Plant Stake

    Invitations to Industry Leaders Nickel Industries is actively inviting major electric vehicle (EV) and battery manufacturers, including Tesla and Panasonic, to visit its Indonesian operations. The Australian company is in the process of expanding its nickel production capabilities to cater to the EV industry. Focus on High Purity Nickel Production The company is developing a $2.3 billion facility in Morowali,...

    DMCI Mining’s Zambales Mine Set for Q1 2024 Full Operation

    DMCI Mining’s Zambales Mine Set for Q1 2024 Full Operation

    Rapid Development and Production Goals DMCI Mining Corp., a subsidiary of DMCI Holdings Inc., announced that its new nickel mine in Zambales is on track to be fully operational by the first quarter of 2024. DMCI Mining Corp. President Tulsi Das Reyes expressed confidence in achieving this timeline, signaling a significant expansion in the company’s mining operations. Zambales Chromite Metals...

    SK Nexilis and Lotte Energy Materials Adjust Copper Foil Production Amid Market Shifts

    SK Nexilis and Lotte Energy Materials Adjust Copper Foil Production Amid Market Shifts

    Reduced Operation Rates and Market Challenges South Korea’s leading copper foil producers, SK Nexilis Co. and Lotte Energy Materials Corp., have reported reduced operation rates in their factories due to intense price competition and a slowdown in electric vehicle (EV) demand. SK Nexilis, a subsidiary of SKC Ltd., saw its factory operation rate drop to 61.6% in Q3 from 88.1%...

    Kula Gold Expands Drilling Program at Kirup Lithium Project

    Kula Gold Expands Drilling Program at Kirup Lithium Project

    Extended RC Drilling at Cobra Lithium Prospect Kula Gold has announced the expansion of its current RC drilling program at the Cobra Lithium Prospect, now planning to drill up to 2,000 meters, doubling the original 1,000 meters. The Cobra prospect, located near Greenbushes in Western Australia, is in proximity to the world’s largest hard rock lithium mine. The extension aims...

    Omani-Australian JV Prepares for Copper Production in Oman

    Omani-Australian JV Prepares for Copper Production in Oman

    Project Milestone and Operations Readiness Al Hadeetha Resources, an Omani-Australian joint venture, is set to initiate copper concentrate production from its project in Al Sharqiyah North Governorate, Oman. Al Hadeetha, 51% owned by Australian mining exploration company Alara Resources, is poised to start operations following over five years of development since receiving a mining license under Oman’s modernized mining law...

    Protesters Attack Workers at Cobre Panama Mine

    Protesters Attack Workers at Cobre Panama Mine

    An altercation at the Cobre Panama mine, operated by First Quantum, resulted in injuries to several mine workers, according to union leader Michael Camacho of the Utramipa union. Violent Incident and Aftermath The conflict escalated when a group of protesters, traveling in a pickup truck, hurled stones at buses transporting mine employees. The incident led to one bus stopping and...

    Decline and Potential Upswing in Platinum Prices

    Decline and Potential Upswing in Platinum Prices

    The global market is currently experiencing a downturn in platinum prices. In January, platinum was valued at $1,113 per troy ounce, but it has since fallen to around $845. This trend of decreasing prices is expected to continue through the end of 2023 and into 2024. However, conditions are now forming that could lead to an eventual increase in platinum...

    Nornickel Exits Nkomati Joint Venture in South Africa

    Nornickel Exits Nkomati Joint Venture in South Africa

    Agreement Details and Liabilities Transfer Nornickel, via its subsidiary Norilsk Nickel Africa Proprietary Limited, has finalized an agreement to transfer its 50% stake in the Nkomati joint venture to African Rainbow Minerals Limited. The deal includes the transfer of all Nkomati’s liabilities, including environmental obligations, to ARM, for a fee payable by NNAf to ARM. The transaction is expected to...

    India Gears Up for Second Round of Tenders in Advanced Chemistry Cells PLI Scheme

    India Gears Up for Second Round of Tenders in Advanced Chemistry Cells PLI Scheme

    New Tender Opportunities for ACC PLI Scheme The Indian government is set to launch a new round of tenders for the Advanced Chemistry Cells (ACC) Production-Linked Incentive Scheme with a capacity of 20-GWh by December 2023. This initiative opens opportunities for companies that either missed out in the initial round or were unable to apply, to partake in the scheme...

    Exxon Mobil Ventures into Lithium Production Amid Oil and Gas Industry’s Revenue Diversification

    Exxon Mobil Ventures into Lithium Production Amid Oil and Gas Industry’s Revenue Diversification

    Exxon’s Shift to Lithium Production Exxon Mobil Corp., traditionally known for its oil and gas operations, has launched its lithium production brand, Mobil Lithium. This move aligns with the broader trend among major oil and gas companies exploring alternative revenue sources in anticipation of declining gasoline demand. Mobil Lithium represents Exxon’s entry into the critical mineral market, crucial for electric...

    Mining Taxation Plans by Biden Administration May Hinder US Mineral Independence

    Mining Taxation Plans by Biden Administration May Hinder US Mineral Independence

    Controversial Tax Proposals on Mining The Biden administration is considering increasing taxes on mining activities within the United States. A report by an interagency group led by the Interior Department suggests imposing royalty payments on minerals and a separate “dirt tax” on material moved during mining and reclamation processes. This “dirt tax” would target the vast amounts of non-valuable material...

    Nornickel’s Environmental Efforts Lead to Revival of Nature in Kola Peninsula

    Nornickel’s Environmental Efforts Lead to Revival of Nature in Kola Peninsula

    The Russian Academy of Sciences’ Siberian Branch has conducted a biodiversity expedition on the Kola Peninsula, revealing notable environmental recovery following Nornickel’s decision to reduce emissions by 90%. In a conversation with TASS, Nornickel’s Vice President for Ecology and Industrial Safety, Stanislav Seleznev, discussed the positive outcomes of the company’s ecological initiatives. The research findings illuminate the earth’s incredible ability...

    Rio Tinto Advised to Acquire Lithium Assets Amid Market Dip

    Rio Tinto Advised to Acquire Lithium Assets Amid Market Dip

    Current Market Scenario and Rio Tinto’s Strategy In the midst of declining lithium prices and increasing supply, Berenberg analysts suggest that Rio Tinto should capitalize on the current market conditions to acquire lithium assets. Lithium, crucial for electric vehicle batteries and energy storage systems, has been the poorest performing commodity in 2023. Despite this, Rio Tinto sees lithium as a...

    Developments and Challenges in Battery Technology

    Developments and Challenges in Battery Technology

    Efficiency and Environmental Impact The advancements in battery technology are significantly impacting various sectors, including electric vehicles and energy storage. While lithium-ion and lead batteries currently dominate the market, with lifespans of 10 and 3 years respectively, emerging technologies are pushing for more efficient alternatives. Sodium Batteries: A Promising Alternative UCB, a leading energy storage company, introduced sodium batteries as...

    Bayan Khundii Project Set to Elevate Mongolia’s Gold Mining Industry

    Bayan Khundii Project Set to Elevate Mongolia’s Gold Mining Industry

    Project Overview and Potential The Bayan Khundii (BK) gold project, located in southwestern Mongolia, is on track to become one of the world’s highest-grade open-pit gold mines and the largest primary gold producer in Mongolia by 2025. An updated feasibility study completed in August 2023 highlights the project’s promising economic potential. Feasibility Study Highlights The updated study encompasses a revised...

    Copper Prices: Weekly Gains Amid China’s Economic Revival Efforts

    Copper Prices: Weekly Gains Amid China’s Economic Revival Efforts

    Mixed Movements in Copper Prices Copper prices in London experienced a slight dip on Friday but are on track for a second consecutive weekly gain. The London Metal Exchange (LME) recorded a 0.2% decrease, placing copper at $8,390.50 per metric ton as of 0724 GMT. Despite this, the metal has seen an overall 1.5% increase for the week. In contrast,...

    Vulcan Energy Resources Inaugurates New Zero Carbon Lithiumt Plant in Germany

    Vulcan Energy Resources Inaugurates New Zero Carbon Lithiumt Plant in Germany

    Lithium Extraction and Optimization Plant Launched Vulcan Energy Resources Limited has opened its new Lithium Extraction and Optimization Plant (LEOP) in Landau, Germany. This facility marks the start of Europe’s first domestic lithium chemical production, targeting the European lithium supply chain for Battery Electric Vehicles (BEVs). The LEOP, with a €40 million investment, is designed for process optimization, operational training,...

    Australia and Indonesia Strengthen Ties in Electric Vehicle Supply Chain

    Australia and Indonesia Strengthen Ties in Electric Vehicle Supply Chain

    Key Mineral Agreement Signed Australia and Indonesia have inked a significant mineral agreement, marking a strategic move in the global electric vehicle (EV) supply chain competition. The memorandum of understanding, signed in Jakarta by Australia’s Minister of Industry and Science, Mr. Husicki, focuses on “mutually beneficial cooperation” in battery manufacturing and key mineral processing, particularly lithium and nickel. Strategic Developments...