The world’s copper supply is suddenly looking scarce

A forecast surplus of copper going into 2024 has suddenly all but disappeared. The next couple of years were supposed to be a time of plenty for copper, thanks to a series of big new projects... 

US House approves Russian uranium import ban

The US House voted Monday to approve legislation that would bar the importation of enriched Russian uranium, sending the measure to the Senate where it has support but limited time for passage this... 

BHP workers consider strike action at some Australian mines

Workers critical to the operation of five Australian coal mines owned by BHP Group are readying to vote on industrial action that could involve strikes before the end of the year, the AFR reported,... 

There’s a way to quit coal without wrecking jobs and communities

It’s a persistent global conundrum: Can policymakers close coal mines and power plants without ruining local economies in the process? In August, a delegation of Vietnamese officials looking to... 

Chilean copper smelter project drawing interest from China

Chinese groups are exploring the possibility of participating in a copper smelting project in Chile — some of them in a bid to lock in supplies of a key metal in the energy transition. Officials... 

SA may need $136bn for energy transition – study

South Africa cannot escape the need to spend significantly on new wind and solar power plants, a BloombergNEF study shows. Under a range of scenarios considered by researchers the country may need... 

EU carbon tax could cost Africa $25bn, AfDB chief says

Africa could lose as much as $25-billion annually due to the European Union’s new carbon border tax, hurting the continent’s trade by penalizing valued-added exports such as iron and fertilizers,... 

China’s CMOC says geopolitics helped drive Australian mine sale

Chinese copper and cobalt miner CMOC Group, which sold a controlling stake in its Northparkes mine in Australia earlier this week, said a changing geopolitical situation was one of the reasons for... 

G-7 to ban Russian diamonds starting next year

Group of Seven nations have agreed to ban Russian diamond imports from the start of next year in the latest move to curb Russia’s ability to fund its invasion of Ukraine. While the G-7 and its... 

Russian uranium import ban teed up for US house floor vote

Legislation that would bar the import of enriched Russian uranium into the US has been teed up for a vote in the US House of Representatives. The Prohibiting Russian Uranium Imports Act, by... 

Chile targets 1Mt copper boost in tightening market

Chile is targeting an acceleration of its nascent copper-production recovery over the coming years in what would help fill a predicted supply gap as the energy transition spurs demand for the... 

Surge in lithium stocks raise hope rout in EV metal almost done

A sudden jump in the share prices of Chinese lithium producers is spurring optimism that a rout in the electric vehicle battery metal may be coming to an end. China’s two biggest producers —... 

Deadly attack spurs plea for Peru crackdown on unlicensed mines

Mining executives in Peru are imploring authorities to crack down on escalating violence by informal miners, which this weekend cost the lives of nine staff members of a large, legal gold mine.... 

Eskom, Sasol pollution harms children, government studies find

Two studies ordered by South Africa’s government into the impact of air pollution on community and child health showed emission limits it imposed on companies that emit the toxins are insufficient.... 

Investors are seeing past 75% lithium plunge, Chile’s Enami says

Chile’s State-owned Enami will be in a position to choose a partner for a sprawling lithium project by mid next year, saying a plunge in prices of the battery metal hasn’t damped the interest of... 

Global coal use at power plants will peak in 2023, Rystad says

Global power-production from coal will peak this year as surging deployment of renewables displaces the dirtiest fossil fuel, according to research from Rystad Energy. Burning coal will produce... 

Congo government extends suspension of ERG’s Boss Mining

The Democratic Republic of Congo extended the suspension of Eurasian Resources Group’s Boss Mining copper and cobalt project for at least three months amid ongoing environmental and safety... 

Mining giant Vale says China can't control price of iron-ore

China may be the world’s biggest buyer of iron ore, but even that powerful position doesn’t mean that Beijing can succeed in dictating prices for the steelmaking ingredient, said the head of No. 2... 

Blank-cheque firm in talks to merge with South African gold mine

Rigel Resource Acquisition Corp, a New York-listed blank-cheque company, is in talks to combine with a South African gold miner, people with knowledge of the matter said. The deal could value... 

Codelco appoints new CFO, strategy head to navigate copper woes

World No. 1 copper supplier Codelco appointed new heads of finance and strategy as the Chilean state copper behemoth battles slumping production and rising debt. Alejandro Sanhueza will become... 

Zimbabwe uses platinum to pay back $400m Afreximbank debt

Zimbabwe is using the proceeds of its platinum exports to settle a $400-million loan from the African Export-Import Bank as the indebted nation turns to its mineral wealth to open lines of credit.... 

Manchin slams Biden’s EV tax credit rules as soft on China

New rules from the Biden administration to limit a lucrative consumer tax credit for electric vehicles that contain ingredients from China and other foreign adversaries drew the wrath of Senator... 

Gold price hits an all-time high

For many investors, gold is looking hot right now. The precious metal just touched an intraday record $2 135.39 an ounce thanks in part to its haven status: The more volatile the world gets, the... 

Nine dead in Peru’s Poderosa mine after armed men raid

Nine people died and 15 were injured after a raid by a group of armed men in the Poderosa mine facilities in the province of Pataz, Peru, the Interior Ministry said in a statement late Saturday.... 

US gives $50m boost to critical minerals investor TechMet

A US government agency has given investment firm TechMet an additional $50-million to support the company’s focus on critical minerals. The backing from the US International Development Finance... 

South Africa warns others not to go from electricity to darkness

One of the architects of South Africa’s groundbreaking deal with rich nations to move more quickly away from coal sounded a note of caution to other countries considering similar agreements.... 

Copper climbs to 11-week high on Panama mine risk, shortfall

Copper advanced to the highest level in 11 weeks on concerns over the looming shutdown of a large mine in Panama and amid expectations of a widening ore supply deficit in 2024. The Panama... 

First Quantum risks covenant breach, cost cuts if Panama shuts important copper mine

First Quantum Minerals could be forced to slow spending next year and face a potential breach of debt covenants if Panama follows through on plans to close a copper mine that generated roughly... 

Lithium slump has room to run as bearish bets mount in Guangzhou

The swift and brutal decline in lithium prices may still have room to run as bearish bets mount on the Chinese futures market that trades the battery metal. Prices on the Guangzhou Futures... 

Electric-car makers can stop worrying so much about lithium

Lithium’s price slump over the past year has been as dramatic as its climb — and it’s probably not finished yet. The battery material’s benchmark price in China is now down about 80% from its... 

Panama copper miners take to the streets in backlash to shutdown

Staff and contractors at First Quantum Minerals's Panamanian copper mine staged demonstrations across the country Wednesday, demanding the government protect their jobs or ensure they receive... 

Origin rejects Brookfield’s Plan B as $12bn deal teeters

Origin Energy rejected a backup deal proposal from Brookfield Asset Management to acquire its main energy business, with a full A$19-billion takeover expected to be rejected at a vote next week.... 

Implats to restart some Impala Rustenburg operations; death toll rises to 12

Impala Platinum (Implats) will resume production at its Rustenburg operations on Thursday, after the company suspended activity earlier in the week following an accident. The deep-level shaft in... 

Deep sea mining company sues Greenpeace amid standoff at sea

As Greenpeace activists continued to occupy a deep sea mining research ship in the Pacific Ocean, the mining company responsible for the expedition asked a Dutch court Tuesday to end the protest... 

Poland wants to speed up coal farewell under new government

Poland’s next government wants to accelerate the country’s exit from coal and boost green power sources in an overhaul of the current energy plan, said Paulina Hennig-Kloska, a lawmaker tipped to... 

Copper hits 10-week high as mine closure points to supply risk

Copper touched a 10-week high after the closure of a major mine in Panama highlighted future supply challenges for the red metal as the energy transition accelerates. Panama’s government said it... 

Panama to shut down First Quantum mine after ruling, President says

Panama’s government said it will shut a giant copper mine owned by First Quantum Minerals, damping hopes that the company might be able to reach a new deal to keep operating. Authorities will... 

Obscure coal stock with 2 900% gains is world's star IPO in 2023

The world’s best-performing IPO stock this year is a little known Indonesian coal mining company that’s backed by one of Southeast Asia’s richest men. PT Petrindo Jaya Kreasi has soared more than... 

Tanzania plans new $5.6bn rail line to iron-ore, coal-rich area

Tanzania is seeking $5.6-billion for a new railway in the south linking the Indian Ocean to Lake Nyasa and traversing regions rich in iron-ore, coal and graphite. The East African nation is looking... 

A showdown over deep-sea mining is taking place in the Pacific

Activists from Greenpeace International have boarded a ship that is conducting deep sea mining research in the Pacific Ocean, vowing to occupy the vessel until it abandons the expedition. It’s the...