Новости за 18.09.2019

Ecuador's constitutional court rejected two requests to make mining projects contingent on popular approval, a victory for companies seeking to exploit some of the world's largest untapped reserves of copper. The prefect of southern Azuay province, home to several mining projects including Canadian firm INV Metals' Loma Larga, had in July requested that the court make development of large-scale mining subject to a popular referendum, expressing concern about environmental impact.

South Africa must continue to leverage its considerable coal resource and must embolden this industry to bolster the economy and engender job creation, Canyon Coal executive chairperson Vuslat Bayoglu said on Wednesday. Speaking at the Coaltrans Southern Africa conference, in Johannesburg, he said the country boasts considerable reserves, with about 118 years of coal resources remaining, which translates to 30.8-billion tonnes.

The benefits of using domestic coal resources to generate affordable electricity in African countries are often overlooked, Lemur Holdings CEO Prince Nyati said on Wednesday. Speaking during a panel discussion at the Coaltrans Southern Africa conference, he highlighted that Madagascar, where Lemur owns and operates the Imaloto coal and power project, is highly reliant on hydropower to meet its energy needs.

Canada-based miner Lucara Diamond Corp has recovered a 123 ct gem-quality top white Type II diamond at its Karowe mine, in Botswana. The diamond was recovered from direct milling ore sourced from the eastern magmatic/pyroclastic kimberlite (EM/PK(S)) unit of the South Lobe.

Azerbaijan copper/gold miner Anglo Asian produced 39 905 gold-equivalent ounces in the six months ended June 30, which is a 7% increase on the first half of 2018. Gold production increased to 34 349 oz and copper production increased to 963 t, the Aim-listed company reported on Wednesday.

JSE-listed Merafe Resources on Wednesday advised shareholders that the European benchmark ferrochrome price for the fourth quarter had been settled at $1.02/lb. This represents a decrease of 1.9% on the price of $1.04/lb set for the third quarter of the year.

State-run miner Coal India Limited (CIL), which accounts for more than 80% of domestic supplies of dry fuel, has called for the establishment of a coal industry regulator, following the government’s decision to permit 100% foreign direct investment in coal mining. “India needs a coal sector regulator along the lines of Telecom Regulatory Authority of India and Central Electricity  Authority,” said CIL technical secretary M K Singh.

The shareholders of TSX-V-listed Golden Arrow have voted in favour of selling the company’s 25% interest in Puna Operation, Argentina, to joint venture partner SSR Mining for C$44.4-million. Of the votes cast by proxy with respect to the transaction, a total of 51 458 485 common shares of Golden Arrow shares were voted in favour of the transaction, representing about 94.62% of the votes cast by proxy on the resolution.

The hydrogen economy could happen; And, Master Drilling remains focused on regional growth strategy

Chile is making a renewed push for battery technology investment in return for access to its lithium deposits, piquing interest from China, Japan and Europe as global firms look to tie up supply of the metal vital for the shift to electric vehicles. The South American country, the world's No. 2 lithium producer, has held global road shows ahead of a second lithium-for-investment tender, according to officials and Chilean government documents seen by Reuters.

The CEO and MD of Australian oil and gas major Woodside, Peter Coleman, has urged the natural as sector to demonstrate that it was part of a lower-carbon future, and a viable alternative to coal. “We may feel superior that our product, as the cleanest burning fossil fuel, can displace coal, delivering a net reduction in global emissions.

Base metals hopeful Heron Resources on Wednesday announced that CEO and MD Wayne Taylor would be stepping aside immediately, at the request of the board. The company said that the hunt for a replacement CEO is under way.

Bullion may be trading near a six-year high, but gold-mining executives keen to show they’re conscientious on costs were munching on potato salad instead of oysters at this week’s industry gathering in Denver. As the CEO of Agnico Eagle Mines, Sean Boyd, put it: “A general theme of this conference has been the need to maintain discipline.”

ASX-listed Metals X has completed a A$35-million loan facility agreement with Citibank after completing all the conditions precedent. Metals X reached an agreement on the loan facility at the end of August this year, which will be used for development expenditure at the Nifty copper operation, and for capital expenditure and working capital purposes.

Dual-listed coal miner Paringa Resources has entered into a royalty finance and entitlement offer to raise funds to ramp-up production at its Poplar Grove mine, in Western Kentucky. The company has entered into a term sheet to grant a royalty to Tribeca Gold Resources Credit to raise an initial $9-million, and will conduct a one-for-four pro-rata accelerated non-renounceable entitlement offer to raise a further $8.1-million.

Coal miner New Hope Group has reported a 21% increase in revenue for the full year ended June, on the back of an increased share of coal sales from the Bengalla joint venture, in New South Wales. Revenue for the full year reached A$1.3-billion, while profits after tax and non-regular items was also up by 3% on the previous corresponding period, to A$384-million.