Новости за 15.03.2022

TSX-V- and Aim-listed Altus Strategies will sell its Toura nickel/cobalt licence application, in Côte d'Ivoire, to Aim-listed Firering Strategic Minerals for €15 000 and a gross revenue royalty (GRR) of up to 1% on future production from the project. Altus’ business model includes the generation of low-cost royalties by staking and monetising projects.

Global methane emissions from the extraction of coal could rise by as much as 21.6% if all new mining projects now under development go into operation, according to a research report by US environmental group Global Energy Monitor. The report said methane emissions from the world's coal mines now stand at 52.3-million tonnes per year, higher than the 39-million tonnes per year emitted during the extraction of oil. It could rise by another 11.3-million tonnes a year if new projects are completed.

Russian mining giant Nornickel on Tuesday said it was not changing its long-term view on the metals sector and that it would continue to carry out its plans, despite acknowledging logistical issues. "On the long-term horizon, we are not changing our view in principle," said Senior Vice President Sergei Dubovitsky told employees. "We are continuing to realise our investment plans."

The Russian invasion of Ukraine is another event in recent years that has sparked an uptick in demand for gold as a safe-haven asset, as investors adopt a risk-off sentiment in uncertain times. Research agency Fitch Solutions Country Risk & Industry Research has revised upwards its gold price forest for this year from between $1 650/oz and $1 700/oz to between $1 800/oz and $1 900/oz.

United Arab Emirates (UAE) government organisation the Dubai Multi Commodities Centre (DMCC) has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Botswana diamond marketing organisation Okavango Diamond Company (ODC). Under the terms of the MoU, the two parties will work together to promote the diamond industries in the UAE and Botswana and to support the sustainable development of the industry.

Toronto-headquartered gold junior Karora Resources is making every effort to capitalise on the strong nickel price environment and is moving “as quickly as possible” to bring new nickel areas into production, CEO Paul Andre Huet said on Monday. He said Karora, which focuses on precious metals in Western Australia, was excited about the prospects to increase its nickel production, with output of 450 t to 550 t forecast for this year and increases expected from early next year.

Diamond major De Beers is encouraging retailers to “buy with confidence” by engaging with their suppliers to understand the origin of their diamonds, following an executive order by US President Joe Biden banning the importation of Russia-sourced diamonds into the US. Biden made the move as part of a broad package of sanctions against Russia, its State entities and political backers as a result of Russian President Vladimir Putin’s decision to invade Ukraine in February.

Saskatchewan’s Environment Ministry has approved an exploration and drill programme for the Mann Lake uranium project, located about 25 km southwest of the McArthur River mine. The drill programme will be the first significant programme on the project in more than a decade, Skyharbour Resources CEO Mike Blady reported on Monday.

TSX-V-listed Bluestone Resources has established a $30-million loan with Zebra Holdings and Investments and Lorito Holdings to advance the Cerro Blanco gold project, in Guatemala, through engineering and permit approval. The loan will provide for drawdown of funds by the company in tranches of at least $1-million.

Diversified miner Rio Tinto has welcomed the release of a discussion paper by a joint Commonwealth government and First Nations Heritage Protection Alliance, which is aimed at strengthening cultural heritage protection. The discussion paper was part of the first stage of a national engagement process to modernise Aboriginal cultural heritage protection, and highlighted the outcomes of past reviews into the issue.

The resources sector has welcomed a A$128.5-million funding package from the federal government to modernise the operation of the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation (EPBC) Act. Minister for the Environment Sussan Ley on Tuesday said that the measures, to be included in this month’s Federal Budget, will help protect the environment, while supporting economic recovery and helping to create jobs in regional and rural communities.