Новости за 22.05.2019

Gold miners must focus on maximising returns and more mergers to attract investors seeking to diversify after years of under-investing in mines, Barrick Gold's chief executive said on Wednesday. "The industry is in decline and we have put ourselves in a very a tight spot because we haven't invested in exploration and our future," said Mark Bristow, who took the helm in January at Barrick after its takeover of Africa's Randgold.

International Council on Mining and Metals (ICMM) member companies recorded 50 fatalities in 2018, compared with the 51 recorded in 2017 and the 63 recorded in 2016. Eleven of ICMM’s 27 member companies reported no fatalities in 2018, compared with eight in 2017. These companies were Africa Rainbow Minerals, Barrick Gold, Freeport McMoRan, Goldcorp, JX Nippon, Minera San Cristóbal, Minsur, Mitsubishi Materials, Newcrest, Orano and Sumitomo.

Gold royalty company Jupiter Gold on Wednesday reported that its first royalty project, the Pindaíba project, operated by Brazil Minerals, was expected to begin production in the third quarter of 2019. The company’s gold recovery plant would be used in operations and Jupiter Gold would receive a 50% royalty on gold revenues, with Brazil Minerals retaining the other 50%, as well as 100% of diamond revenues.

JSE-listed Wescoal on Wednesday said it had resumed coal mining, handling and processing activities at the Vanggatfontein mine as of May 20 and that the mine was expected to ramp-up to full production in early June – two weeks ahead of schedule. In late April, the coal producer was forced to halt coal supplies from the mine to Eskom after the mining contractor dismissed its 274 employees at the mine over unlawful industrial action.

Aluminium major Alcoa and a UK-based educational and environmental charity, The Eden Project, have teamed up to investigate the possibility of turning Alcoa’s former Anglesea mine site, in Victoria, into a tourist attraction. The two companies were planning to transform an area within the former coal mine into a destination for immersive education and experiences which celebrate the local ecology and tell a story of sustainability.

Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk has instructed the Coordinator-General to set a timetable for the resolution of two outstanding approvals for Indian major Adani’s proposed Carmichael coal mine, saying she was “sick” of the delays. “The community is sick of it, I’m sick of it, everyone is sick of the delays. Everyone has had more than enough time to resolve these issues and for some reason that has not occurred. That all ends now.”

Mining major BHP on Wednesday laid out its near-term plans for investors, saying that the company would look to add “options” in copper, nickel sulphides and oil. Speaking to investors, CFO Peter Beaven that BHP analysed a number of scenarios to ensure that the company’s portfolio was resilient and to assess how well placed BHP is to act on opportunities, while also revealing gaps.

This week, the Minerals Council South Africa reflects on the promise of the future, a new material may bring down the fuel cell cost curve, and a smelter in Zimbabwe heeds the local beneficiation call. Mining Weekly editor Martin Creamer unpacks the headlines.

Vedanta Resources is seeking an urgent meeting with Zambian President Edgar Lungu over the threat to its local assets after a state-owned investment company asked the Lusaka High Court to liquidate them. Lungu at the weekend accused Konkola Copper Mines of lying and cheating and said Africa’s second-biggest copper producer would find other investors to take over the assets. On Tuesday, Zambia’s ZCCM Investments Holdings applied for the liquidation of KCM, in which it holds a 20.6% stake.

Hudbay Minerals is preparing a sale of a stake in one of the largest copper mines under development in the US as an investor pushes the company to review its portfolio, people familiar with the matter said. The Toronto-based base metals miner has interviewed potential advisers about selling a 30% stake in the Arizona Rosemont project and is planning to kick off a process in the coming months, the people said, asking not to be identified as the matter is private. The stake is likely to draw interest from financial bidders... Читать дальше...