Новости за 07.12.2022

This week: South African green hydrogen technology wins top global recognition and, Australia’s platinum pioneer highlighting greenness, mulling smelterless tech

Russia’s seaborne coal exports returned to near the highest levels on record after the European Union loosened restrictions on transporting the commodity, making it easier to redirect volumes to Asia. Shipments in October were almost 16.6-million tons -- just shy of the level in June, which was the highest since at least 2017, figures from analytics firm Kpler show. Exports have slipped a bit since then, in line with normal seasonal volatility.

Six mini-pit contractors operating the Optimum Coal Mine (OCM), in Mpumalanga, are faced with having to potentially collectively retrench as many as 2 000 workers before Christmas, owing to the Richards Bay Coal Terminal (RBCT) having issued a notice on December 1 to terminate the Optimum coal terminal (OCT) allocation as from the end of January. The six contractors, including Liberty Coal, will now no longer be able to mine and use the OCT to transport coal to the RBCT.

China reported an increase in its gold reserves for the first time in more than three years, potentially providing a pillar of support for prices. The People’s Bank of China raised holdings to 63.67-million troy ounces in at end-November from 62.64-million at end-October, according to data on its website on Wednesday. In tonnage terms, last month’s inflow was about 32 tons, compared with a cumulative 106 tons that were reported over the 10 months through September 2019.

Nyrstar has completed scheduled maintenance work at its Auby operation in Northern France, but the smelter will not resume zinc production due to challenging market conditions, the Belgium listed company said on its website. Nyrstar did not specify the challenges. "The plant will now be placed on care and maintenance until further notice," Nyrstar said.

Chinese electric-car juggernaut BYD is looking to get into the lithium business in Latin America and Africa after prices of the key battery component surged to “unreasonable” and “not healthy” levels. BYD is scouring the world for lithium supplies, executive VP Stella Li said in an interview Tuesday. In Chile, it’s in talks to enter into a mining project and is applying for permits to process the raw material into cathode for batteries. The automaker is also looking to invest in African lithium projects... Читать дальше...

Red-hot lithium prices are getting a little less expensive, just as China’s electric-car giant BYD flags that the market could swing back into surplus next year. The battery material in China has continued to retreat from the all-time high hit last month as signs of demand weakness weigh on the market. Lithium carbonate fell 0.2% to 571 500 yuan ($82 000) a ton on Wednesday, although prices are still around double where they were at the start of the year.

The transition to green hydrogen can be a hugely beneficial reality in the near future with collaboration between companies, countries and knowledge institutions, Higher Education, Science and Innovation Minister Blade Nzimande told a just transition event attended by European Commission Joint Research Centre director-general Stephen Quest, UK High Commissioner Antony Phillipson and representatives of neighbouring African States. The Minister also emphasised the vital role provincial and municipal... Читать дальше...

ASX and Aim-listed Metal Tiger has generated A$6.9-million in proceeds from the sale of 1.3-million shares in fellow listed Sandfire Resources, at A$5.35 a share. The company said on Wednesday that it has used part of the proceeds of the share sale to take up its pre-emptive rights in the retail component of Sandfire’s A$200-million capital raise, investing just over A$2-million for an additional 473 215 shares in the company at a price of A$4.30 each.

Canadian diversified miner Teck Resources has made a $5-million donation to the BC Park Foundation to enhance and expand the province’s world-class system of parks and protected areas. The collaboration between the mining company and the parks foundation will help to preserve and expand green spaces in rural and urban areas, protect important natural park lands and give more people the opportunity to enjoy BC’s natural wealth.

Exploration and development company Ring of Fire Metals (RoFM) has signed a memorandum of understanding with the Webequie First Nation outlining a framework for collaboration on proposed development in the Ring of Fire, in northern Ontario. The MOU details how the two parties will work together to progress ongoing exploration activity in the region, as well as negotiations on a partnership agreement for the proposed Eagle’s Nest mine. The company’s Eagle’s Nest project is one of the biggest undeveloped... Читать дальше...

A survey conducted by advisory firm KPMG has revealed that a significant number of Australian mining companies would change their portfolio of products towards future-facing commodities in 2023. KPMG Australia’s national mining and metals leader Nick Harridge said the economic shift toward a low-carbon future was being seen by mining executives as an opportunity for metals and mining companies.

NYSE-listed Mosaic has temporarily curtailed production at the Colonsay potash mine, in Saskatchewan, as demand is returning more slowly than expected. Prior to the curtailment, Colonsay had been operating at a yearly run rate of 1.3-million tonnes with plans to expand output to 1.8-million to 2.0-million tonnes by late 2023, following the restart of mine's second mill.