Новости за 10.11.2022

A technical team from Tanzanian diamond mining company Williamson Diamonds (WDL) is working with a South African technical team from its parent company, London-listed Petra Diamonds, to safely resume production at the Williamson mine, where a tailings storage facility (TSF) breach occurred earlier this week. Petra, which owns 75% of the Williamson mine, reported on November 7 that an eastern wall of a TSF at the mine was breached, resulting in flooding away from the pit and extending into areas outside of the mine lease area.

South Africa's mining production contracted by 4.5% year-on-year in September. The largest negative contributors were iron-ore (-23.1% and contributing -2.7 percentage points) and gold (-12.4% and contributing -2.1 percentage points).

Triple Flag Precious Metals Corp said on Thursday it would buy smaller peer Maverix Metals in a deal valued at $606-million to cement its position as the fourth-largest senior streaming and royalty company globally. The company said it expects the deal to add to its net asset value as well as cash flow per share.

Cargo ships suffering from weak Chinese demand for iron-ore are finding a more lucrative alternative as the global energy crisis spurs a greater need for coal. Miners and traders are slashing shipments of iron ore, the second-most widely traded seaborne commodity, and re-assigning their bulk carriers to highly unusual coal routes to prop up earnings. More vessels are ferrying the fuel from Russia to China and from Australia to Europe, according to owners, brokers and traders.

BHP Group shareholders voted against a resolution calling on the mining giant to lobby the Australian government on its climate change policy at its annual general meeting on Thursday. Only 13% of shareholders voted in favour of the resolution, which was opposed by BHP's board, according to results of the AGM released by the miner on the bourse.

Green energy developer Fortescue Future Industries (FFI) has reached an agreement with the government of the Republic of Kazakhstan to explore the potential delivery of renewable energy projects and green hydrogen production in the region. Fortescue founder and chairperson Dr Andrew Forrest met with Prime Minister of the Republic of Kazakhstan, Alikhan Smailov, on day two of COP27, signing a framework agreement to explore potential projects for renewable energy sources and green hydrogen production in several regions of Kazakhstan... Читать дальше...

Canada-based Turquoise Hill has again delayed the special meeting of shareholders to vote on the proposed $3.3-billion takeover by majority shareholder Rio Tinto. The meeting was scheduled for November 15, but has now been postponed to “a date to be determined”.

A feasibility study (FS) into the Jervois copper project, in the Northern Territory, has increased the project’s mine life from the 8 years estimated in the prefeasibility study (PFS) to just under 12 years. ASX-listed KGL Resources on Thursday also announced a 25% increase in the copper metal produced at Jervois, compared with the 2020 DFS, with annual production now estimated at 24 700 t/y of metal in concentrate with gold and silver credits.

The first pounds of uranium ore from the McArthur River have been milled and packed at the Key Lake mill, marking the return of production from these operations that were idled four years ago due to persistent weakness in the global uranium market. The company announced in February that it would restart production at both operations, having witnessed a notable market improvement and an increase in long-term contracting activity.

Triple listed Jervois Global has taken a final investment decision on the restart of its São Miguel Paulista (SMP) nickel cobalt refinery in São Paulo, Brazil, while launching a A$231-million equity raise. The company previously estimated that it would spend $55-million on the Stage 1 restart, aimed at producing 10 000 t/y of nickel and 2 000 t/y of cobalt metal cathode, with first production targeted for the first quarter of 2024.

Diversified miner BHP on Thursday told shareholders that the company was committed to stamping out instances of sexual harassment and bullying at its mine sites. Speaking at the company’s annual general meeting, CEO Mike Henry and chairperson Ken MacKenzie both apologised to anyone who had experienced, or continued to experience any form of sexual harassment, racism or bullying at the firm, vowing to eliminate these behaviours.

Gold miner Newcrest Mining is aiming to grow its copper output to meet the global demand as the world shifted towards future-facing minerals. Speaking at the company’s annual general meeting, chairperson Peter Tomsett said that Newcrest held a unique market position, maintaining a portfolio of top-tier, long-life assets.

Junior Rox Resources on Thursday said that it would accept a takeover offer for its 10% shareholding in fellow-listed Cannon Resources from Canada-based equity firm Kinterra Battery Metals Mining Fund subsidiary Kedalion Nickel. Cannon on Thursday urged its shareholders to accept the 45c a share offer from Kandelion, with the board unanimously giving the offer its support.

Copper miner Sandfire Resources has appointed Brendan Harris as its new CEO and MD, following the shock exit of founding CEO Karl Simich at the end of September. Harris, an exploration geologist, has held senior executive roles with diversified miners BHP and South32, and has been a member of South32’s executive management team since its demerger from BHP in 2015 and played a key role in the company’s establishment as its inaugural CFO.

ASX-listed Minbos Resources has secured a site for its proposed Cabinda phosphate fertiliser plant in Angola. The Subantando site is located near the main highway between Cácata and Cabinda City, and has been zoned as an industrial area with the intent to move a number of industrial businesses’ out of the town of Cabinda.

Major Rio Tinto has signed an updated agreement with the Yindjibarndi Aboriginal Corporation (YAC) aimed at strengthening ties and delivering improved social and economic outcomes for the Yindjibarndi people. The updated agreement is part of Rio’s commitment to modernise its relationships with Traditional Owners.