AFC targets end-2027 financial close for Lobito's Zambia railway

The Africa Finance Corporation (AFC) will launch its debt and equity fund-raising push for a new rail line in Zambia in the third quarter of this year, a senior official said on Friday, seeking... 

Middle East war could cause 120 bcm of LNG supply loss from 2026 to 2030 - IEA

The Middle East conflict could result in the loss of around 120-billion cubic metres (bcm) of cumulative liquefied natural gas (LNG) supply between 2026 and 2030, or 15% of expected global supply,... 

Australian lithium miner PLS says energy security concerns driving demand growth

ASX-listed Pilbara Minerals (PLS) is seeing deepening and broadening demand for lithium, partly driven by energy security concerns, CEO Dale Henderson said on April 24 as the Australian miner... 

Freeport delays recovery of flagship Indonesian mine; shares down more than 8%

Freeport-McMoRan, the world's largest publicly traded copper producer, said on Thursday it expects a slower-than-anticipated recovery at its flagship Grasberg mine in Indonesia after a fatal flood... 

Global refined copper market to swing to surplus in 2026, group says

The global refined copper market is expected to shift to a surplus of 96 000 metric tons in 2026, reversing a previously forecast deficit of 150 000 tons, due to slower demand growth and increased... 

BHP adopts new Chinese iron-ore price index in deal to end dispute, sources say

BHP Group agreed to use an additional Chinese iron ore price index for one of its flagship products as part of a deal with China to end a months-long dispute, three sources with knowledge of the... 

Zambia's Luanshya Copper Mine to restart in August after two-decade halt

Zambia's Luanshya Copper Mine, majority owned by China Nonferrous Mining Corporation (CNMC), is set to resume production in August after spending more than two decades idle, the mines ministry said... 

At least nine people killed in attack at mining site in Pakistan

At least nine people were killed when gunmen attacked National Resources's copper and gold project in Balochistan, Pakistan, on Wednesday, local authorities said. Pakistan's National Resources,... 

Need for hedging could spur new derivatives for niche critical minerals, Traxys CEO says

Derivative contracts for niche critical minerals including rhenium could emerge over time as supply concerns and price volatility push industrial users to seek better hedging tools, said Mark... 

Hormuz crisis throws spotlight on world's largest 'chokepoint' – the Malacca Strait

The closure of the Strait of Hormuz has forced policymakers in Asia to face questions over the security of other maritime chokepoints, including the Strait of Malacca, which is the world's busiest... 

France's Eramet could seek new investors in capital hike; plans Indonesia mine halt

Eramet said on Thursday it could talk to new investors about taking part in a €500-million capital increase that the struggling French mining group is planning for later this year. The nickel,... 

Iron-ore eases as investors weigh rising supply against higher war-induced costs

Iron-ore prices eased on Thursday, as investors weighed prospects of a growing supply of the key steelmaking ingredient against higher costs stemming from the prolonged Iran conflict. The... 

Comex copper stocks hit record high after US arbitrage reopens

Copper inventories on the US Comex exchange have climbed to a record high, data from the bourse showed on Wednesday, as traders take advantage of the renewed price arbitrage to ship metal to the... 

Ghana directs Newmont, AngloGold, Zijin to shift mining ops to local firms by December, sources say

Ghana's mining regulator has given international companies Newmont, AngloGold Ashanti and Chinese-owned Zijin until December 2026 to shift mining operations over to local contractors or face... 

Copper king Chile faces acid supply crunch as China exports dry up

China's exports of sulphuric acid to Chile dwindled to zero in March, Chinese customs data show, leaving the world's top copper producing nation facing a squeeze on supplies of the chemical used to... 

Copper to hit $15 000/t within three years - Traxys CEO

Copper prices may not move higher this year, but will probably hit a record $15 000/t within three years, the head of trading firm Traxys said on April 22. "I think we'll see higher copper and... 

South32 lowers full-year manganese guidance by 6%

Diversified miner South32 lowered its full‑year forecast on April 22 for its Australia Manganese unit after wet-season rainfall and Tropical Cyclone Narelle disrupted operations. The company also... 

Goldman Sachs maintains 2026 copper price, surplus forecasts

Goldman Sachs on Tuesday maintained its forecast for the copper price to average $12 650 per metric ton this year and its estimate of a 490,000-ton 2026 surplus for the metal. However, the bank... 

Aluminium faces 'black swan' supply shock, Mercuria says

The global aluminium market is experiencing a "black swan" event as disruptions due to the Middle East war trigger a supply shock that will lead to major shortages this year, according to the top... 

As coal chokes Johannesburg, South African scientists launch pollution warning app

Scientists at the University of the Witwatersrand have designed South Africa's first app to warn residents of pollution levels, as Johannesburg suffers a spike in coal emissions in recent weeks,... 

BHP eyes large-scale copper exploration in Zambia, mines ministry says

Global miner BHP is keen to pursue large-scale copper exploration in Zambia, the country's mines ministry said on Monday, highlighting growing international interest in the central African nation's... 

Rio Tinto flags possible supply chain risks, posts higher Q1 iron-ore sales

Miner Rio Tinto warned on April 21 of limited visibility on the effects of the Middle East war on its supply chains in the second half of the 2026 financial year, but stronger production from its... 

Uganda's central bank starts domestic gold purchase programme

KAMPALA – Uganda's central bank said on Tuesday it had begun purchasing gold from domestic producers under a programme announced two years ago to incorporate bullion as part of the country's... 

Zambia's copper smelters plan extended shutdowns, squeezing output and chemical supplies

Two of Zambia’s largest copper smelters and sulphuric acid producers will shut for extended maintenance later this year, two industry sources said, further squeezing copper output and supplies of... 

USA Rare Earth to acquire Brazilian rare earths miner Serra Verde for $2.8bn

LONDON - USA Rare Earth will acquire Brazilian rare earths miner Serra Verde for $2.8-billion in cash and shares, the two companies said on Monday. The US company will pay $300-million in cash and... 

Vale books best first-quarter iron-ore sales in eight years

Brazilian miner Vale reported on April 16 its highest iron ore sales for a first quarter since 2018, while also announcing the suspension of pellet operations in Oman amid the war in the Middle... 

Congo creates strategic cobalt reserve to influence supply and prices, regulator says

Democratic Republic of Congo has established a strategic reserve for cobalt and other critical minerals, the national minerals regulator said on Thursday, strengthening its ability to stockpile... 

Aluminium market headed for 'unprecedented crisis' warns WoodMac

The Iran war is triggering an unprecedented crisis in the global aluminium market with potentially devastating knock-on effects across sectors as diverse as construction, packaging, transport and... 

India-Zambia talks on critical minerals stall over mining rights, sources say

India's talks with Zambia over critical minerals mining have stalled amid a lack of assurances from Lusaka on mining rights, two sources familiar with the matter told Reuters. India last year... 

Ivanhoe holds 'captive audience' on Congo sulphuric acid market, CEO says

Ivanhoe Mines has a "captive audience" for its sulphuric acid in the Democratic Republic of Congo, its CEO said on Wednesday, as prices for the chemical soar on limited supplies due to the Iran... 

IMF cuts growth outlook, warns of potential global recession if Iran war worsens

 The International Monetary Fund cut its growth outlook on Tuesday due to Iran war-driven energy price spikes and supply disruptions and warned that the global economy would teeter on the brink of... 

China's Yahua Industrial Group gets lithium export quota from Zimbabwe

China's Sichuan Yahua Industrial Group said on Tuesday it had secured a six-month export quota for lithium concentrates from Zimbabwe, two months after Africa's top lithium producer suspended... 

Yancoal Australia inks $2.4bn deal to acquire Kestrel coking coal mine

Yancoal Australia said on Tuesday it has entered a deal to acquire an 80% stake in the Kestrel coking coal mine in Queensland for up to $2.4-billion - a move that strengthens its position as one of... 

China imports more iron-ore, coal in Q1, but less copper

As a key driver of various commodity market trends and pricing, China’s imports of iron-ore, copper and coal for March and the first quarter of the year varied. According to customs data cited by... 

Iran war allows Australia to revive green iron ambitions

The conflict in the Middle East has cracked open the door for Australia to speed up the development of a handful of green iron projects as part of efforts to cut emissions from producing steel.... 

IMF, World Bank, IEA urge countries to stop hoarding energy supplies, imposing export controls

The International Monetary Fund, World Bank and International Energy Agency on Monday urged countries to avoid hoarding energy supplies and imposing export controls that could worsen what they... 

South Africa agrees new climate loan, critical minerals cooperation on Germany visit

Germany has agreed to give South Africa a new €200-million ($234-million) concessional climate loan, and the two countries will deepen cooperation in other areas like critical minerals, South... 

Botswana signs energy and mineral exploration deals with Oman

Botswana's President has clinched multiple agreements with Oman, including on mineral exploration, oil storage infrastructure and renewable power, during a visit to the Gulf nation designed to... 

Congo copper, cobalt miners cut chemical use as Iran war disrupts supplies, sources say

Congo's leading copper and cobalt producers have had some orders for key leaching chemicals cancelled or withdrawn by suppliers this month, forcing miners to cut usage and consider output... 

US-backed KoBold launches $50m lithium exploration drive in Congo

Mineral explorer KoBold Metals, backed by billionaires Jeff Bezos and Bill Gates, has launched a lithium exploration campaign in Democratic Republic of Congo, committing more than $50-million by...