Новости за 03.03.2022

Global engineering group and original-equipment manufacturer (OEM) Sandvik has introduced what it says is the largest-capacity battery-electric truck for underground mining. Offering a 65 t payload capacity, the Sandvik TH665B prototype is currently completing factory testing in California, in the US.

JSE-listed African Rainbow Minerals (ARM) recorded a mixed set of results across its operations for the six months ended December 31, 2021, with headline earnings for the period having decreased by 27% year-on-year to R3.70-billion or R18.87 apiece. An interim dividend of R12 apiece has been declared. The amount to be paid is about R2.69-billion.

JSE-listed diversified resources group Exxaro Resources has declared a total ordinary dividend for the 2021 financial year of R32.52 apiece, up 72% compared with the prior year. Outgoing CEO Mxolisi Mgojo attributes the group’s solid performance to a committed delivery of strategic priorities and the company having taken decisive action in a dynamic environment.

There is a growing global trend in terms of class action lawsuits surrounding the production of misleading information or fraudulent information in securities disclosures, which law firm Webber Wentzel partner Garyn Rapson said was dominating the environmental, social and governance (ESG) class action space, followed closely by climate-related class action lawsuits. Speaking at a webinar on March 3, Rapson said that, to date, more than 1 800 class action lawsuits had been brought against countries... Читать дальше...

TSX-V-listed copper explorer and developer Deep-South Resources reports that the legal counsel of Namibia’s Ministry of Mines and Energy has failed to file its defence affidavit in the refusal of a licence for the Haib copper project, as ordered by the High Court of Namibia on November 25, 2021. The renewal of the exclusive prospecting licence (EPL) 3140 covering Deep-South’s southern Namibia-based Haib copper project was refused by Namibia Mines and Energy Minister Tom Alweendo on June 16, 2021.

The Australian government is helping coal importing nations find alternatives to Russia for supplies by connecting them with local producers, a government spokesperson said on Thursday, as Russia's invasion of Ukraine made buyers look elsewhere. Australia's top independent producer, Whitehaven Coal, and New Hope Group said they have been approached to supply countries, including Poland, which have traditionally relied on Russian coal.

The Queensland Resources Council (QRC) has called on the Queensland government to finalise approvals for the New Acland Stage 3 project, as coal prices spike amid the Russia-Ukraine crisis. “The world, especially Europe, needs Queensland’s high-quality commodities now more than ever,” QRC CEO Ian Macfarlane said on Thursday

Zinc reached its highest since 2007 and other industrial metals extended a powerful rally fueled by trade turmoil and rising energy costs amid Russia’s increasing economic isolation. The metal used to coat and protect steel rose as much as 3.6% on the London Metal Exchange to reach $3 999/t, while aluminum notched a fresh record high and nickel surged.

The biggest risk in battery materials from Russia’s increasing economic isolation centers on supplies of top-notch Arctic nickel controlled by the country’s richest man. Russia is a major producer of the metal that will be needed in huge quantities as the world’s auto fleet goes battery-powered. That means the electric-vehicle industry has much at stake as global businesses rejig ties in the wake of the invasion of Ukraine. Mining giant BHP on Monday warned of nickel supply shocks.

Copper developer Hot Chili has inked an offtake agreement with major Glencore for future copper concentrate production from the Costa Fuego copper-gold project, in Chile. The Glencore offtake agreement covers 60% of copper concentrate from Costa Fuego for eight years from start of commercial production and is on arms-length commercially competitive benchmark terms.

Diamond miner Lucapa has updated the scoping study for its Merlin diamond project, in the Northern Territory, after the price of rough diamonds increased by some 42% over the last three months. Based on the production of 2.1-million carats over a 14-year operational life, the updated scoping study estimated that the Merlin project could generate revenues of between A$1.6-billion and A$2.3-billion, and earnings before interest of between A$702-million at the low end of the scale, and up to A$1.2-billion at current rough diamond prices.

Iron-ore major Fortescue this week settled its £164-million purchase of UK-based technology and engineering services business Williams Advanced Engineering (WAE), marking its transition to a global green renewables and resources company. To mark the occasion, WAE and Fortescue announced the development of a world first, zero emission 'Infinity Train'.

Coal miner Stanmore Coal on Thursday unveiled a A$694.1-million capital raise initiative, and a $120-million finance facility to fund its purchase of an 80% interest in the BMC metallurgical coal joint venture (JV) in Queensland from major BHP. Under the agreement, Stanmore would acquire 100% of Dampier Coal from diversified miner BHP, which holds its interest in BMC for $1.35-billion. The purchase price comprises $1.1-billion cash on completion, $100-million in cash six months after completion... Читать дальше...

Alcoa, the largest US aluminum producer, said it will stop selling products to Russian companies and halt raw-material purchases from the country in response to the invasion of Ukraine. The decision makes Alcoa one of the world’s first major aluminum makers to shun Russia. Although the war on Ukraine has no direct impact on Alcoa’s business, CEO Roy Harvey on Tuesday told investors the Pittsburgh-based company was assessing what to do about aluminum sales to Russian companies.