Новости за 28.03.2022

Diamond and metals explorer Tsodilo Resources is enthused about the completion of the final feasibility study (FFS) for the Trans-Zambezi Railway extension project between the towns of Grootfontein, Rundu and Katima Mulilo in Namibia. Tsodilo chairperson and CEO James Bruchs says the proposed rail extension is an important development for the company, as it opens up a proximate rail transportation system for the delivery of its xaudum iron formation project’s potential iron products, such as iron concentrate... Читать дальше...

Streaming company Wheaton Precious Metals has announced the retirement of Doug Holtby as chairperson and nonexecutive director of the board upon the completion of his term at the upcoming shareholders meeting in May. Holtby, who has been a director since 2006 and chairperson since 2009, has steered Wheaton from a small, niche player in the silver industry to one of the biggest and most profitable precious metals companies in the world.

Brazilian miner Vale said on Monday that individual settlements related to the Brumadinho dam disaster reached over three-billion reais ($629.92-million) so far, roughly three years after the incident. The collapse of a tailings dam at Vale's Corrego do Feijao mine in Brumadinho released a mudflow that killed 270 people in January 2019.

Zambia, Africa's second-largest copper producer, said it plans to limit the number of mining licences that a company can hold at a time to curb speculation and promote investment. The ministry of mines last month suspended the issuance of mining licenses and commissioned an audit in response to public complaints about a lack of transparency and abuse in Zambia's licensing system, which is being digitalised.

Following alluvial exploration activities undertaken in 2021, ASX-listed Lucapa Diamond Company and its partners have increased the Angola-based Lulo mine’s diamond resource in situ carats by 11%, from 135 900 ct as at December 31, 2020, to 151 040 ct at December 31, 2021, after accounting for mining depletion of 24 595 ct during the 2021 calendar year. Lucapa, along with its partners – 40% Lucapa-owned mine operator Sociedade Mineira Do Lulo (SML), Angolan national mining company Empresa Nacional... Читать дальше...

Coal markets continue to stabilise, with the back end of the curve having come up significantly in recent weeks. A great opportunity for coal producers to start locking in some forward pricing. Crude oil prices are looking tired, with Brent struggling to hold the $120 mark. With no shortage of regular crudes and EU supplies still flowing, it appears likely that crude will oscillate around $100 for now. Gas prices have more room to run, with EU gas having pulled back significantly whilst Asian LNG cargoes remain expensive. Читать дальше...

India is leaning toward continuing to import coking coal from Russia, the steel minister said on Sunday, seeming to buck a global trend to shun Moscow over its invasion of Ukraine. "We are moving in the direction of importing coking coal from Russia," Ramchandra Prasad Singh told a conference in New Delhi. India plans to double imports of Russian coking coal, a key ingredient in making steel, the minister said. He said the country had imported 4.5-million tonnes but did not indicate the period he was referring to.

Precious and battery metals miner Sibanye-Stillwater has made several senior management appointments, which it says will enhance delivery and strategic focus. Thabisile Phumo has been appointed EVP of stakeholder relations South Africa, effective April 1, reporting to chief social performance officer Themba Nkosi.

Canadian silver mining company Silver X has applied to list its common shares for trading on the Lima stock exchange. Listing on the Lima exchange will give regional investors easier access to invest in the future of the company, says CEO Jose Garcia.

Feasibility studies by ASX-listed Pilot Energy has confirmed the viability of developing a large-scale clean hydrogen production project in the Mid West region of Western Australia. Pilot Energy last year announced key studies to assess the feasibility and economics of, and to recommend the pathway for development for a large-scale clean hydrogen production project using the company’s existing oil and gas production operations.

Buyers scrambling for supplies of potash and uranium are looking to Canada to fill gaps caused by the war in Ukraine. The northern nation has been approached by buyers looking for potash and uranium, said Canada’s Natural Resources Minister Jonathan Wilkinson. Canada is one of the world’s main sources for potash and uranium and buyers are looking to secure supplies after Russia’s invasion of Ukraine has disrupted trade flows.

Toronto-listed Orvana Minerals said on Friday that it had temporary suspended its Orovalle operations, in Spain, citing a lack of timely supply of materials caused by a national strike of transportation services.

A Peruvian community has threatened to oppose the expansion of MMG's major Las Bambas copper mine, according to a document seen by Reuters, hinting at a new flashpoint for the project shortly after the state approved the increase in production. Located in the Apurimac region of southern Peru, the Chinese-owned mine has been at the center of protests and road blockades since it started operations in 2016, which have caused it to frequently curtail its operations.

Data released by the Chamber of Minerals and Energy for Western Australia (CME) has shown that the mining and resources sector had contributed some A$100-billion to the Australian economy. The CME said on Monday that an analysis of 56 Western Australian resources sector companies has found the state’s mining, oil and gas, energy and contractor industries contributed a direct A$100-billion to Australia’s economy in 2020-21 and directly provided more than 70 000 full-time jobs.

Mining giant Rio Tinto has welcomed a deal with the government of Guinea, which could see the Simandou iron-ore project finally developed. Reuters over the weekend reported that the Guinea government had struck a deal with Rio and Chinese consortium SMB Winning for a 15% stake in the rail, port and mine operations, with new infrastructure to become Guinea state property upon completion.

Diversified miner Anglo American has reported a fatality at its Moranbah North coal mine, in Queensland. The contractor fatality occurred on Friday evening during a lifting incident, and an emergency response was immediately initiated.