Acron Holding Expands with Acquisition of Transcat Metallurgical Plant
Acron Holding, under the leadership of Pavel Morozov, has expanded its industrial and metallurgical portfolio with the recent acquisition of Transcat, a metallurgical plant in St. Petersburg. Specializing in the production of copper wire rod and contact wires, Transcat plays a strategic role in supplying its products to major cable plants in Russia and CIS countries. Notably, the plant produces...
Novelis and Ardagh Metal Packaging Forge New Agreement for Aluminum Beverage Can Sheet Supply
Novelis, a leading sustainable aluminum solutions provider and global aluminum rolling and recycling leader, has inked a new contract with Ardagh Metal Packaging USA, a key player in sustainable aluminum beverage packaging solutions. Under the agreement, Novelis will serve as the supplier of aluminum beverage packaging sheet to Ardagh’s metal production facilities located in North America. This significant contract marks...
Ghana’s GIADEC and Mytilineos Forge Alumina Refinery Deal
The Ghana Integrated Aluminium Development Corporation (GIADEC) has joined forces with Mytilineos Energy and Metals in a landmark agreement to propel the construction of an alumina refinery in Ghana. Known as Project 3A, this collaboration represents a strategic move away from the conventional practice of exporting raw bauxite, signaling an end to decades of such exports from Ghana. Instead, the...
Artificial Intelligence Accelerates Battery Material Development
AI is poised to revolutionize the development of new battery materials, with expectations of halving the time required for innovation, as reported by the Financial Times on January 24, 2024. Key insights from the report include: (A) Umicore and Microsoft Collaboration: (B) Microsoft and Pacific Northwest National Laboratory: (C) Global Competition and AI in the Battery Industry:
Copper Production Slightly Dips to 425,000 Tons in Norilsk Nickel’s 2023 Report
Norilsk Nickel, a key player in the global market for palladium, nickel, platinum, and copper, reported its 2023 operational results, highlighting a mixed performance across its portfolio. The company achieved its yearly production goals for nickel and copper and exceeded expectations for palladium and platinum, despite facing maintenance adjustments throughout the year. Despite the decline in prices for non-ferrous and...
Chinese Companies Pledge $7 Billion Investment in Congo’s Mining Sector
Chinese companies involved in the Sino Congolaise des Mines (Sicomines) copper and cobalt joint venture (JV) in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) have committed to investing up to $7 billion in infrastructure projects. The updated agreement, reached after a thorough review with DRC President Felix Tshisekedi’s government, retains the original shareholding structure. Under the revised terms, China’s Sinohydro and...
Rwanda and Rio Tinto Collaborate on Lithium Exploration
The Rwandan government and Rio Tinto Minerals Development, a UK-based mining company, have signed a Memorandum of Understanding for lithium exploration in Rwanda’s Western Province. This collaboration aims to explore untapped natural resources in the country’s mining sector. Yamina Karitanyi, CEO of Rwanda Mines, Petroleum, and Gas Board, emphasized that Rio Tinto’s involvement signifies Rwanda’s commitment to unlocking the mining...
Imerys Advances Lithium Production Project with Confirmation of EMILI Project’s Locations
Imerys, the global leader in specialty minerals for industry, continues to develop its lithium production project for batteries, reaching a significant milestone with the confirmation of the future locations for the EMILI project’s conversion plant and loading station. Guillaume Delacroix, Vice-President Performance Minerals EMEA – APAC, expressed the significance of Imerys’ commitment to structuring an industrial sector that integrates all...
Full Circle Lithium Successfully Completes Modular Demonstration Plant Phase and Advances to Commercial Stage
Full Circle Lithium, a USA-based lithium products manufacturer and recycler, achieves a milestone as it concludes the modular demonstration phase of its lithium extraction and processing plant for a global specialty chemical company. FCL has successfully completed the demonstration phase with its initial client, a global specialty chemical company, showcasing the effectiveness of its proprietary direct lithium extraction technology (DLE)....
Egypt Earns $130 Million from 2023 Sukari Goldmine Production
In 2023, the Egyptian government has garnered over $130 million from its share of the Sukari Goldmine (SGM) production, according to Amr Hassouna, Centamin’s Country Manager. The government’s share constituted 50% of the profits and 3% of total revenues from SGM. Hassouna expressed optimism about gold prices, anticipating a continued rise above $2,000 per ounce in the current year. Centamin...
Global Alumina Output Sees 3.4% Monthly Increase in December
According to data released by the International Aluminium Institute, global alumina production witnessed a 3.4% month-on-month increase in December, reaching a total of 12.3 million tons. The average daily global alumina production also saw a slight uptick, rising from 396,467 tons in November to 396,710 tons in December, according to revised data. China accounted for a significant portion of the...
Vale Surpasses Expectations with 70,728 Tons of Nickel Production in Indonesia for FY2023
Vale has exceeded market expectations by producing 70,728 tons of nickel in Indonesia for the fiscal year 2023, surpassing the anticipated 69,451 tons. This achievement highlights Vale’s operational efficiency and its ability to meet or exceed production targets in the competitive mining sector, particularly in the context of growing demand for nickel in industries like electric vehicles.
True North Copper and Glencore Forge Partnership to Advance Cloncurry Copper Project
In a move poised to impact the global copper market, True North Copper (TNC) has announced a partnership with commodities giant Glencore to advance the development of the Cloncurry Copper Project (CCP) in Queensland. This collaboration is expected to not only significantly boost TNC’s Cloncurry copper project but also contribute to the global copper industry. Under the agreement, Glencore will...
Anglo American Collaborates with GEM on Breakthrough EV Battery Technology
Mining giant Anglo American has embarked on a strategic R&D project in partnership with GEM, one of China’s leading battery and battery material recyclers. The joint initiative aims to pioneer innovative technologies for the utilization of existing and alternative raw materials in electric vehicle (EV) batteries. Paul Ward, Executive Head of Base Metals Marketing at Anglo American, highlighted the company’s...
Spain Competes for Umicore’s €1 Billion Plant
In the evolving landscape of electromobility, Spain aims to secure its position as a European hub, eyeing a significant investment from Belgian group Umicore. The multinational is contemplating the establishment of a pre-cathode (pCAM) factory in Europe, with Gijón, located in Asturias, emerging as a strong contender among potential locations. As the automotive industry shifts towards zero-emission mobility, carmakers are...
Indonesian Nickel Miners Brace for Prolonged Price Slump
Indonesia’s nickel mining industry is gearing up for a challenging year in 2024, as global oversupply persists amid a decline in demand. Despite worldwide announcements of production cuts and mine closures, the expected boost in nickel prices has yet to materialize, leaving analysts skeptical about a swift recovery. Amidst the uncertain market conditions, Bayu Aji, Head of Communications at Vale...
Confal Struggles Amidst Financial Turmoil but Owner Remains Hopeful
Confal, renowned as the largest domestic aluminum scrap recycler, finds itself in a precarious position following a challenging period marked by court-protected restructuring initiated last summer. Despite facing setbacks such as the lack of approval for its rescue plan by key creditors and the absence of a new investor, the company’s owner remains optimistic about the future. The company, which...
Alcoa Reverses Course, Commits to Reactivating San Cibrao Plant
In a surprising turn of events, Alcoa has announced its decision to move forward with the reactivation of the San Cibrao aluminum plant starting Monday, January 29th. This decision reverses the company’s earlier request to delay the restart of 32 electrolysis tanks, initially citing economic challenges as the reason. Alcoa’s commitment to reactivating the tanks by April 1st aligns with...
Australia Considers Tax Incentives for Struggling Nickel and Lithium Miners
In response to the mounting challenges faced by nickel and lithium producers in Australia, the federal and Western Australia (WA) state governments are contemplating the introduction of financial incentives, including production tax credits and royalty reliefs. This initiative aims to alleviate the pressures on these key sectors of the battery metals market, which have seen significant downturns in revenue and...
Copper Market Poised for Upswing in 2024 Amid Tight Supply and Anticipated Rate Cuts
The copper market is on the cusp of a significant rebound this year, fueled by a confluence of tightening global supplies and the prospect of more accommodative monetary policies. Despite the overhang of uncertainties surrounding China’s economic trajectory, the essential industrial metal, often seen as a barometer for economic health due to its broad industrial applications, is expected to navigate...
