US Engages in Regular Dialogues with Congo’s Gecamines Over Cobalt and Copper
The United States, aiming to strengthen its ties with crucial mineral suppliers, engages in frequent discussions with the Democratic Republic of Congo’s state-owned mining company, Gecamines. This interaction underscores Washington’s intent to secure supply lines for vital minerals like cobalt and copper, essential for electric vehicle batteries and other electronics, amidst increasing Chinese investments across Africa. Jose Fernandez, the US...
BMW to Kickstart Construction of Battery Factory in Lower Bavaria
BMW has received approval to commence the construction of its new battery factory in Lower Bavaria, Germany, earlier than initially planned. The Straubing-Bogen district office’s endorsement paves the way for construction activities to start immediately after Easter, on April 2, as confirmed by a company spokesperson. The initial phase of construction will involve soil removal and transport, alongside preparatory measures...
CEA Introduces Stringent Quality Control Measures for Conductor and Cable Manufacturing
The Central Electricity Authority (CEA) has taken a decisive step towards ensuring the quality of materials used in the power sector by issuing an advisory for power sector companies. This advisory mandates strict adherence to quality control orders (QCOs) and established standards for key materials such as aluminium ingots, wire rods, and wires, which are essential in manufacturing conductors and...
Global Commodities Holdings Teams Up with ICE for New Nickel Trading Platform
Global Commodities Holdings (GCHL) is collaborating with the Intercontinental Exchange (ICE) to establish a new nickel trading platform, responding to the market’s demand for a more regulated and reliable spot trading environment. This initiative emerges in the wake of the trading suspension chaos that enveloped the London Metal Exchange (LME) two years prior, highlighting the necessity for a platform capable...
Russia’s top base metals miner advances emission cuts despite sanctions
Russian mining titan Nornickel has successfully navigated a crucial step towards fulfilling its ambitious environmental program aimed at drastically reducing sulphur dioxide emissions in Norilsk. Despite facing procurement and logistical hurdles due to the fallout from sanctions and the refusal of Western contractors to engage, Nornickel’s commitment to environmental stewardship remains unwavering, the miner’s top managers said at a public...
Gold Prices on the Rise, Defying US Dollar Strength
The current trend in gold prices shows a strong upward movement, continuing to rise despite the robust performance of the US dollar. Technical analyses predict new highs for gold, with silver also showing gains but not at the same pace as gold. Gold’s technical indicators remain strong, with no significant signs of a reversal. The immediate target for gold is...
Rosatom Set to Spearhead Russia’s Rare Earth Production with New Plant by 2026
Rosatom is on track to significantly bolster Russia’s rare-earth metals (REM) production capabilities with the anticipated completion of a new production facility by the end of 2026. Ruslan Dimukhamedov, the Chairman of the Association of Producers and Consumers of Rare and Rare Earth Metals and General Director of the JSC Solikamsk Magnesium Plant (a Rosatom entity), unveiled plans for the...
Lithium Battery Production Surges in April, Led by Lithium Carbonate Output
April witnessed a significant uptick in the production of lithium batteries, marking an approximate 10% increase from the previous month, as reported by market research from GGII. This surge is on the heels of a marked recovery in battery and positive electrode production in March, surpassing January’s production levels. Notably, the production rate of upstream lithium carbonate has been a...
Taseko Mines Increases Stake in Cariboo Copper Corp Following Furukawa Share Transfer
Taseko Mines has successfully completed the acquisition of an additional 25% interest in Cariboo Copper. The stake was acquired from Furukawa, marking a significant step in Taseko’s strategy to bolster its presence in the copper mining sector. Cariboo Copper, affiliated with Taseko Mines, engages in the exploration and development of copper and other metal resources. This acquisition aligns with Taseko...
Freeport Indonesia Advocates for Extension of Copper Concentrate Export License
Freeport Indonesia is actively seeking an extension of its copper concentrate export license, a move underscored by President Director Tony Wenas’s recent discussions with Indonesian government officials. Amid these discussions, Wenas, alongside Freeport McMoran’s top executives, met with President Joko Widodo, emphasizing the critical need for license renewal to prevent a substantial drop in state revenue. Without the extension, Tony...
Russian Breakthrough: Gallium Recovery from Aluminium Waste
In a significant scientific advancement, Russian researchers have developed a novel method to extract gallium, a metal critical to the electronics and communications industries, from the by-products of aluminium production. This innovative process, which employs synthetic polymeric sorbents or anion-exchange resins, promises not only to tap into a new source of this valuable metal but also to mitigate the environmental...
Pursuit Minerals Launches Lithium Carbonate Pilot Plant Operations
Pursuit Minerals has officially initiated the first phase of operations at its Lithium Carbonate Pilot Plant. This significant development marks a key milestone in the company’s endeavor to produce battery-grade lithium carbonate. The pilot plant, now fully commissioned, is set to embark on producing lithium carbonate through a conventional evaporation process, aiming for an annual output of 250 tonnes at...
MMG Completes Acquisition of Cupric Canyon Capital for USD 1.875 Billion
MMG has finalized its acquisition of Cupric Canyon Capital, the parent entity of the Khoemacau Copper Mine located in Botswana, for a total enterprise value of USD 1.875 billion. This strategic acquisition places Khoemacau, recognized as one of the premier new copper mines on the global stage, under MMG’s expanding portfolio, aimed at catering to the critical minerals required for...
U.S. Gears Up for Aluminium Sector Revival with New Smelter Initiative
The U.S. is set to establish its first primary aluminium smelter in nearly half a century, marking a significant step towards revitalizing its domestic aluminium production. The Biden-Harris administration is injecting $500 million into Century Aluminum to kickstart this ambitious “green” low-carbon smelter project. This initiative is a response to the pressing concerns voiced by major U.S. consumers, such as...
China’s Copper Smelters Announce Output Cuts Amid Supply Constraints
In a pivotal meeting held in Shanghai, China’s leading copper smelters have announced plans to cut production by 5% to 10% and have opted against issuing guidance prices for copper processing charges (TC/RCs) for the second quarter. This decision underscores the challenges the world’s largest producer of refined copper is facing, including a short supply and significant declines in TCs...
France Seizes Lithium Mining Opportunity Amid Energy Transition Push
France is on the brink of a pivotal shift in its approach to mining, particularly with lithium, a critical component for the energy transition. A public debate initiated on March 11, running until July 7, invites feedback on the lithium mine project in Echassières, promoted by Imerys. This consultation, a sector first, transcends local matters, probing the national strategy towards...
Adani Enterprises Launches Operations at Mundra Copper Refinery
Adani Enterprises has initiated operations at its greenfield copper refinery project in Mundra through its subsidiary, Kutch Copper. This development marks Adani’s strategic entry into the metal industry and underscores the group’s commitment to leading in large-scale ventures. The project, which saw its first dispatch of cathodes to customers, signifies the commencement of operations at this advanced facility. Adani Enterprises...
Magna Mining Secures Offtake Agreement with Vale for Crean Hill Project
Magna Mining has successfully concluded a definitive offtake agreement with Vale Canada, a subsidiary of Vale Base Metals, concerning the advanced exploration segment of the Crean Hill Project. This collaboration underscores months of joint efforts and marks a significant milestone for Magna Mining’s development path. Under this agreement, the initial material produced will be sent to Vale’s Clarabelle mill facility...
Copper Prices Dip to Two-Week Low Amid Anticipation of Chinese Smelter Production Cuts
Copper prices witnessed a notable decline, hitting a two-week low as the metals market braces for detailed announcements from a forthcoming meeting by Chinese smelters on production cuts. The drop reflects the market’s reaction to uncertainty surrounding the extent and timing of these anticipated cuts, which had previously sparked a significant rally in copper prices to an 11-month high. The...
Indonesia’s Amman Mineral Targets Ambitious Copper Output Recovery in 2024
In a striking display of resilience and strategic planning, PT Amman Mineral Internasional, one of Indonesia’s premier copper miners, has announced a bold target for 2024. The company is aiming for a production of 833,000 dry metric tons (dmt) of copper concentrate, marking an approximate 54% increase from its 2023 output levels. This ambitious goal comes after a challenging year...
