Sohar Aluminium Bolsters Leadership with New Business Development and Strategy Executive
Sohar Aluminium, a leading player in the aluminium industry, has recently enhanced its leadership team by appointing Matt Liddy as its Business Development and Strategy Executive. With a robust background exceeding three decades, Liddy brings a wealth of experience in business development, strategic planning, and operational improvements across the aluminium sector. Liddy’s journey in the industry includes significant roles such...
Frontier Lithium Partners with Mitsubishi for Ontario Lithium Project
Frontier Lithium has entered into a joint venture with Mitsubishi Corporation to develop the first fully integrated lithium mining and processing operation in Ontario, Canada. This partnership, formalized through a definitive agreement on March 2, 2024, aims to accelerate the PAK Lithium Project, encompassing both the mine and a planned lithium chemicals conversion facility. Mitsubishi has committed to an initial...
EU and US Set to Compete for Middle Eastern Aluminium Amid Potential Russian Import Ban
The European Union and the United States may find themselves in a tight race for aluminium supplies from the Middle East, should a ban on Russian aluminium imports materialize. This development, as reported by Reuters, underscores the strategic significance of aluminium, a crucial component in the manufacturing of electric vehicles, among other applications, and its potential impact on Western industries....
Nickel and Gas Prices Set to Remain Low, Challenging Traditional Market Dynamics
In an era where the conventional wisdom of commodity markets is being challenged, the global nickel and US natural gas sectors stand out as prime examples. The age-old adage “low prices cure low prices, and high prices cure high prices” is seemingly faltering in the face of technological advancements that have drastically reduced production costs. This shift has profound implications...
SQM Leadership Signals Strong Future for Lithium with Bold Investment Strategy
Ricardo Ramos, the CEO of SQM, showcased remarkable optimism for the lithium market’s future, especially highlighting an aggressive investment strategy during the recent inauguration of the Mt Holland lithium project. Despite current lithium prices not being at their peak, Ramos foresees a positive trajectory for the market by the year’s end and anticipates further improvements into the next year. His...
Global Tin Production Dips in 2023 Amidst Varied Production Shifts
The global refined tin market witnessed a modest decline in production in 2023, with output falling by 2.1% to reach 370,100 tonnes from the previous year. The concentration of production was notable, with approximately 59% of the world’s tin originating from just ten leading smelters, which collectively saw an increase in output by 856 tonnes. Yunnan Tin retained its status...
French Government Supports New Caledonia’s Nickel Industry with Financial Assistance and Reform Pact
The French government has stepped in to provide critical financial support to the struggling nickel industry in New Caledonia, a move that underscores the significant challenges facing this key economic sector. In a recent agreement with mining giant Eramet, France has decided to convert €320 million of previous loans into “quasi-equities” to alleviate the debt burden of Eramet’s New Caledonia...
Sprott Asset Management Introduces New Copper Miners ETF to Enhance Energy Transition Investment Opportunities
Sprott Asset Management has expanded its portfolio of critical materials-focused exchange-traded funds (ETFs) with the launch of the Sprott Copper Miners ETF. This unique ETF stands as the sole U.S. listed offering that provides investors with pure-play exposure to a broad range of copper mining companies, encompassing large, mid, and small-cap entities. These companies play a pivotal role in supplying...
China Sees Modest Increase in Copper Imports Due to Rising Domestic Demand
In a sign of recovering economic activity, China reported a 2.6% increase in its unwrought copper imports during January and February of 2024, as compared to the same period in the previous year. This uptick, as detailed by the General Administration of Customs, reflects an improvement in domestic demand for the metal, with the total imports reaching 902,000 metric tons,...
Exploring the Green Synthesis of Copper Nanoparticles using Alstonia Scholaris
In a notable advance within the realm of eco-friendly nanotechnology, a recent study has explored the utilization of Alstonia Scholaris, a widely recognized medicinal plant, for the production of copper nanoparticles (Cu-NPs). This research delves into the phytochemical properties of Alstonia Scholaris leaves extracted using various solvents and their subsequent application in the green synthesis of Cu-NPs. The study commenced...
Metalshub and LME Eye ‘Green’ Nickel Market Development Amid Rising ESG Demand
Amidst growing calls for environmentally sustainable practices within the mining sector, the London Metal Exchange (LME) and Metalshub, an online trading platform, are addressing market demand for “green” nickel, essential for electric vehicle batteries and other green technologies. Despite the LME’s reservation about launching a separate contract for green nickel due to current market limitations, Metalshub is pioneering an index...
New Mining and Ore Processing Plant to Boost Amur Region’s North Development
In a significant development for the Amur Region’s economy, a meeting chaired by Governor Vasily Orlov has outlined plans for the development of the large Kun-Manye copper-nickel deposit. The project, spearheaded by the investor Highland Gold Group, is set to culminate in the construction of a mining and processing plant, with an anticipated launch date in 2028. Mikhail Denisov, Director...
Fortuna Silver Mines Announces 2023 Fourth Quarter and Yearly Financials and Operations Update
Fortuna Silver Mines has released its financial and operational outcomes for both the fourth quarter and the entirety of 2023. The company, based in Vancouver, British Columbia, encountered a net loss of $92.3 million or $0.30 per share in the fourth quarter due to non-cash impairment charges of $90.6 million, culminating in a total net loss of $50.8 million for...
Jervois Global Announces Major Cost-Cutting Measures Amid Cobalt Price Plunge
Jervois Global, an Australian mining company, is implementing significant cost-reduction strategies, including job cuts, in reaction to a substantial drop in cobalt prices, which the company attributes to an oversupply from China. The firm has reduced or transitioned to part-time roles for 30% of its senior corporate management and decreased the fees for non-executive directors by the same margin. Additionally,...
Atlas Consolidated Mining and Development Reports Significant Decrease in 2023 Income
Atlas Consolidated Mining and Development, a prominent name in the mining industry, revealed a steep decline in its net income for the year 2023. The company’s net income plummeted by 65%, totaling P1.12 billion ($20.16 million), a stark decrease from the previous year’s P3.22 billion ($57.96 million). This downturn is attributed primarily to the diminished copper prices observed throughout 2023...
Altamin Partners with IREN for the Development of Lazio Lithium Project
Altamin has announced a new partnership through a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with IREN, a leading multi-utility company in Italy. This collaboration aims to explore and potentially develop the Lazio Geothermal Lithium Project, focusing on the production of critical raw materials. Under the terms of the MOU, Altamin will lead the development of the project, leveraging IREN’s expertise in operations,...
Global Platinum Supply Dwindles Amid Rising Demand, South African PGM Miners Face Challenges
Despite a surge in demand for platinum group metals (PGMs), the global supply of this crucial metal, essential for the automotive industry, is anticipated to decline this year. This downturn is partially attributed to mining companies, including prominent South African firms, shuttering unprofitable shafts and downsizing their workforce. South Africa, together with Zimbabwe, boasts the world’s most extensive platinum reserves....
Rio Tinto Evaluates Impact of Queensland Gas Pipeline Incident on Gladstone Operations
Rio Tinto is currently assessing the consequences of a recent incident at its Queensland gas pipeline, which was reported by Australian media to involve a fire disrupting gas supplies. The mining giant is in discussions with Jemena, the energy provider, to gauge the impact on its alumina and aluminium production facilities in Gladstone. Australian news outlets disclosed that a blaze...
Indonesian Nickel’s Rising Influence Sparks Industry Concerns
Ding Xing New Energy, an Indonesian nickel producer, has applied to list its “DX-zwdx” brand of full-plate nickel cathode on the London Metal Exchange (LME). This marks a pivotal moment, given Indonesia’s rapid ascent as a global leader in nickel production, yet its absence from the high-purity nickel trading platforms of the LME and the Shanghai Futures Exchange until now....
Lovozersky GOK to Boost Loparite Mining for Future Decades
In an exciting development for the high-tech sectors of Russian industry, the Lovozersky Mining and Processing Plant (Lovozersky GOK) has unveiled plans to significantly expand its mining operations in the Murmansk region. This ambitious initiative will ensure a steady supply of the rare-earth raw material, loparite ore, for an additional 80 years, securing critical resources for future generations. The expansion...