Новости за 15.04.2020

A Chilean environmental court said on Tuesday it would investigate a complaint brought by the government against global miner BHP over allegations of damage to the northern Punta Negra salt flat. The First Environmental Court, based in the northern Chilean city of Antofagasta, said the complaint was brought by the State Defense Council against BHP. The complaint described "continuous, cumulative, permanent and irreparable environmental damage" to the salt flat, 170 km southeast of Antofagasta.

London-listed Bluejay Mining is expanding its Greenland presence with two new exploration licences in the south of the country. The licences cover a total of 2 025 km2 near the southern tip of Greenland. The licences, to be known as the Thunderstone project, is prospective for base metals, especially zinc, with additional significant potential for large-scale gold and uranium occurrences.

A group of civil society organisations has, in a letter, called on Mineral Resources and Energy Minister Gwede Mantashe to impose stricter policy on mining operations that are allowed to return to work during the national lockdown. It argues that a number of exceptions have been granted for certain mining operations, which it does not deem to be essential, to restart operations.

Gold mining company Newmont has established a $20-million community support fund to help host communities, governments and employees combat the Covid-19 pandemic. The New York- and Toronto-listed company, with operations in North America, South America and Australia and Africa, is partnering with local governments, medical institutions, charities and nongovernmental organisations to serve as a catalyst for long-term resiliency and future community development.

The Environment Department of the Xunta de Galicia has formally issued a negative impact declaration for Proyecto Touro, denying dual-listed Atalaya Mining’s application to restart copper production at the former openpit mine. The regional government turned down the project’s environmental impact assessment in January, citing concern over the mine’s impact on the Ulla river and related protected ecosystems. Atalaya said on Wednesday that it was assessing its options to progress Proyecto Touro and... Читать дальше...

Mining software solutions provider Micromine has launched a new pay-as-you-go subscription model for African clients to keep pace with industry needs. The Australian-headquartered company, with a regional office in Johannesburg, will make the change from contract-based licensing to subscription later this month.

A number of miners, including some giants of the industry, have been forced to halt or curtail production and processing as governments worldwide implement measures to stem the spread of the coronavirus. Unprecedented disruptions to operations and supply chains have thrown the outlook for industrial and precious metals into disarray, just as demand is hit by prospects for the steepest recession in almost a century.

Zambia raised the stakes in its fight with Glencore Plc, threatening to strip the company of its copper mines in the southern African country. Glencore said last week it needs to close shafts at Mopani Copper Mines due to falling metal prices, disrupted logistics and travel restrictions related to the coronavirus pandemic. It pressed ahead with the move in defiance of the government, which described the closure as illegal. “They’ve been given seven days to show why their license should not be canceled... Читать дальше...

Junior Blackstone Minerals has exercised its option to acquire a 90% interest in the Ta Khoa nickel/platinum group metals project, in Northern Vietnam. The company in May last year inked an option agreement with owner AMR Nickel to acquire a 90% stake in the project, and under that agreement, would now issue 8.6-million shares, valued at A$1-million.

The Queensland Resources Council (QRC) has welcomed a decision by diversified miner Glencore to extend its 2021 Graduate Development Programme, providing graduate opportunities in regional Australia. With a focus on local talent from regional communities, the company’s Graduate Development Programme combines structured, professional development with on-the-job experience and mentoring from Glencore staff.

TSX-listed Gran Colombia Gold in the first quarter of the year produced 56 247 oz of gold, compared with 60 601 oz produced in the first quarter of last year. CEO Lombardo Paredes says while the first quarter’s production is pleasing, it came in lower than expected owing to the impact of Colombia's national quarantine on the Segovia operation’s production in the last week of March.

Copper/gold miner Oz Minerals has maintained its production guidance for the full 2020 following a strong start to the financial year, and despite the impacts wrought by the Covid-19 pandemic. “Despite the Covid-19 pandemic constraints and response to protect the health of our employees, other stakeholders and business generally, the operations delivered a strong opening to 2020 with only critical frontline roles on site in the latter half of the quarter,” said MD and CEO Andrew Cole.

Major BHP on Wednesday announced that it would establish a $2-million fund to support communities in proximity to its petroleum operations in North America and Trinidad and Tobago, as part of its efforts to combat Covid-19. “BHP stands shoulder to shoulder with the communities where we operate. Our company has a critical role to play in the collective efforts to defeat this virus, and its impacts on our people and our neighbors. From the continued safe operation of our business and protecting the... Читать дальше...

Nickel miner Panoramic Resources has temporarily suspended operations at its Savannah project, in Western Australia, amid the Covid-19 outbreak. The miner on Wednesday said that while there were currently no cases of Covid-19 reported at the Savannah nickel mine, the pandemic was adversely impacting the operation, including transportation, the availability and cost of personnel, equipment and supplies at site.

The world may be falling into its worst recession in almost a century but one tiny South American economy is still forecast to grow 53% this year. The remote, jungle-covered nation of Guyana will enjoy by far the world’s fastest expansion, and will be the only country in the Americas to see any growth at all in 2020, the International Monetary Fund said in its World Economic Outlook published Tuesday. That’s despite a warning from the US and its allies that Guyana risks international isolation... Читать дальше...

US-focused gold explorer American Pacific Mining (APM) has signed a definitive agreement to buy private miner Madison Metals’ interest in its namesake copper/gold project, in Montana, US. The Madison project is a fully-permitted, past producing copper/gold mine that is under option to Rio Tinto’s Kennecott Exploration. “Our corporate strategy is to build a portfolio of high-grade properties in the Western US that will attract mid-tier partners to come in and help advance these assets. Madison... Читать дальше...

The Renard diamond mine, in the James Bay territory of Quebec, will not reopen yet, despite the province’s government announcing that mining activities can restart as essential services. Diamond miner Stornoway is keeping Renard on care and maintenance, given the structural challenges still affecting diamond market sales, as well as the depressed prices for diamonds owing to Covid-19. The decision to keep operations suspended will impact nearly 540 people and only a team of 50 will remain on site to assume the care-and-maintenance activities... Читать дальше...