Новости за 27.11.2020

Copper rallied for a fourth day to reach a seven-year high, adding to this week’s powerful surge across base metals on hopes for a post-pandemic demand boom. The metal, which is used in everything from household wiring to electric vehicles, is gaining on optimism that the worst of the global economy’s coronavirus disruptions are over. The more bullish mood on demand coincides with falling global inventories that could leave the market short of supply heading into 2021.

Australia-listed Davenport Resources has received firm commitments for a placement of new securities to a range of sophisticated and institutional investors to raise a total of $10-million. The capital raising will ensure that Davenport is well funded to advance its portfolio of four standalone potash projects in the South Harz region of Germany, the company said on Friday. “This capital raising is transformational for Davenport and we are delighted that this ambitious raising, representing the... Читать дальше...

Base metals miner New Century has reported the strong uptake by shareholders of its entitlement offer, raising the full A$14.4-million offer amount. The 1 for 12 prorate nonrenounceable entitlement offer closed on November 24, with eligible shareholders applying for 78 637 783 new fully paid ordinary shares, worth A$12.2-million. This represents an approximate 85% take-up rate for entitlements by shareholders.

A surge in the use of scrap metal due to strict environmental policies could slash global demand for primary aluminium by almost half and cut demand for primary copper and iron by more than a third by 2040, Wood Mackenzie said on Thursday. In a report on the future of mining, the consultancy said there is a "strong economic rationale" for greater scrap processing and use, with investment costs for aluminium scrap plants typically one-tenth those of smelters. The carbon footprint of secondary aluminium... Читать дальше...

Developer BCI Minerals has entered into an access agreement with the lease holder of the Mardie station, which overlaps in small areas with the proposed Mardie project development footprint and tenure. The access agreement provides Pastoral Management’s (PMPL’s) consent to the grant of key Mining Act tenure required to construct and operate the Mardie project, and consent to the taking of land required for the Cape Preston West Port and the dedication of its associated access road. The access agreement... Читать дальше...

Vedanta's zinc unit said on Thursday it was still searching for an employee who was trapped underground following a rockfall last week at its Gamsberg zinc mine in South Africa. "A team consisting of geotechnical and mining engineers, supported by third party experts have recommended the construction of an access ramp onto the top of the failed mass to enable safe access to the affected areas," Vedanta Zinc International said.

Aim-listed Edenville is nearing the maturity of a funding agreement it signed with Lind Partners in November 2018 for $580 000. The company advised in a statement published on November 27 that it had entered into discussions with Lind on repayment terms.

The world's biggest uranium miner Kazatomprom on Friday posted a 138% jump in third-quarter profit on the back of soaring sales and higher prices. Kazatomprom's profit rose to 90.675-billion tenge ($214-million) from 38.026 billion tenge a year earlier. The company this month said that quarterly sales more than doubled and the average price of uranium was up 10%.

Mining Weekly Editor Martin Creamer unpacks Platinum Group Metals’ objective to move the Waterberg project to a development and construction stage; An Mpumalanga coal mine is on the point of turning acid mine drainage into potable water at no cost; and the need for South African to focus on creating economic growth and jobs to improve our many industries.

Canadian base metals miner Lundin Mining on Thursday announced that the Candelaria Supervisors and LMC Supervisors Unions, together representing about 230 associates, had ratified new 32-month collective agreements. The agreements were reached during the legislated negotiation process. Lundin reported that the resumption of partial operations at the Chile mine was under way following ratification of the new collective agreement with the Candelaria AOS Union, representing 550 workers, on November 20.

Dual-listed Alexco Resources has commissioned the Keno Hill mill, in Yukon, marking a significant milestone on its journey towards establishing the company as Canada’s only primary silver producer. The Keno Hill district mill resumed production, with lead/silver and zinc concentrates The initial ore source for mill commissioning is the Bellekeno underground mine where drilling, blasting and extraction of ore from long hole stopes continues.

Coal miner Wescoal reports that an employee of Trollope Mining Services 2000 (TMS), the mining contractor at Moabsvelden mine, has succumbed to his injuries following a trackless mobile machinery incident that occurred at the mine on November 25. “Wescoal and TMS are saddened by the loss of one of our colleagues and wish to express our deepest and sincerest condolences to the deceased employee’s family, friends and colleagues,” says Wescoal CEO Reginald Demana.

Diversified major Teck Resources is expanding its copper and health programme to Chile, partnering with leading national health professionals and academics on a pilot project at the Iquique Hospital. Researchers from Universidad del Desarrollo (UDD) and Núcleo Milenio MICROB-R, with funding from Teck, will conduct a study of copper surfaces and textiles to assess copper’s ability to decrease the incidence of in-hospital infections.

Canadian miner Turquoise Hill Resources said on Thursday hedge fund Odey Asset Management's letter to its majority owner Rio Tinto contained a number of false assumptions and misinformation about the company and its funding plan. "Odey has a clear financial motive to depress Turquoise Hill's share price," Turquoise Hill said. Shares of Turquoise Hill sank on Wednesday after hedge fund Odey said it did not believe the $4.4-billion project finance package related to the Oyu Tolgoi copper mine in... Читать дальше...

Owing to its gold mining heritage, Johannesburg is the most radioactive city on the planet, says nonprofit organisation Earthlife Africa. Uranium was considered “merely a waste product” in the late 1800s and was haphazardly discarded without any thought of recovery. Abandoned mines were not properly decommissioned and, as a result, the uranium concentration in tailings disposal plants in the city is now relatively high. These issues are exacerbated during more windy periods in August and September... Читать дальше...

The University of Witwatersrand (Wits) Mining Institute’s (WMI) Digital Mining Laboratory (DigiMine) will be hosting a seminar on digital mining technology from December 8 to 10 at the Wits Club. “The seminar is for anyone interested in digital mining in the underground environment. We will showcase our laboratory and present the laboratory’s research outcomes on developing digital technologies for mining applications,” says WMI director Professor Fred Cawood.

The onset of Covid-19 resulted in many companies moving aspects of their operations to online and virtual platforms, and contractor and management solutions provider KBC Health & Safety has made similar adjustments. “Since Covid-19 more clients have adopted our computer-based training programmes. These programmes, an area in which KBC is well experienced, limit contact and promote social distancing protocols,” says KBC Health & Safety operations director Sian Thurtell.

Platinum producer Anglo American Platinum (Amplats) has appointed engineering, design and project management company COENG Consulting and Construction Engineers to provide ad hoc professional services at Amplats operations. “A formal tender process was conducted, whereby a certain number of preferred service providers were selected to provide professional engineering services for Amplats for three years,” explains COENG mining operations manager Louis Labuschagne.

Through constant involvement in and development of its surrounding communities, titanium minerals producer Kenmare Resources notes that its increased ilmenite production, and the subsequent effect on Mozambique’s exports, will have significant benefits for the company, its host communities and the Mozambique economy. “Kenmare’s Moma mine is expected to increase production to 1.2-million tons a year of ilmenite and associated by-products from 2021. While Kenmare’s production accounted for about 6% of Mozambique’s exports in 2019... Читать дальше...

The advent of the Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR) has had a significant impact on all facets of society, but international investment company StratisQ Group notes that the mining industry needs to participate more in the 4IR transformation. “Digitisation is not the future – it is here already. Industries need to eliminate the element of surprise when new technology is introduced. To ensure a smooth transition to the age of the digital mine, all stakeholders need to be engaged – from industry, government... Читать дальше...

With low economic growth and high unemployment, South Africa’s economy is under intense pressure. Management consultancy Kearney’s research indicates that particularly mining and mining-related industries could improve the country’s economic outlook. Government has challenged the mining industry to play a central role in helping the country achieve its social and economic objectives. Further, as policy and regulatory imperatives, such as those contained in Mining Charter III, compel industry players to prioritise the national agenda... Читать дальше...

Geological service provider Minrom states that its dedicated team of geologists, with years of manganese mining expertise, can provide crucial decision-making services for manganese mines in the Northern Cape. Minrom’s services range from greenfield exploration and three-dimensional geological block modelling to resource estimation and the on-site implementation of geological models and grade control models.

Magnetic and sensor sorting solutions company Steinert has set up a new modular testing plant at Navachab gold mine, near Karibib, in Namibia. The company commissioned the plant last month, following the plant’s arrival on-site in September. Steinert Southern Africa area manager John Knouwds explains that Navachab gold mine, which is owned by private equity firm QKR-Namibia, indicated its interest in doing testwork in 2019.

Increased scrutiny on mine safety and targets for zero harm have ensured that emergency refuge chambers (ERC) have become vital to mining operations, and mining safety solutions provider Strata Worldwide has launched its new Global ERCX model. “This new ERC design uses a new manufacturing process that provides increased flexibility in customisation. This, coupled with a reduced lead time for clients, is an improvement on previous ranges,” says Strata South Africa product manager Tom Long.

Amid fluctuating fuel prices, it has never been more important for businesses to ensure that they manage this “vital resource” correctly, says mining solutions provider Africa Mining Services Incorporated (AMSI).