Project delays, mine shutdowns and cutbacks

A chronological summary of project delays, mine shutdowns and production cutbacks announced by miners around the world in response the falling metals prices and tightening financial markets. Begins July 2008.

Vale halts two iron-ore pellet plants

Companhia Vale do Rio Doce, the world's biggest iron-ore producer, has suspended operations at two pellet plants at the port of Tubarão, Brazil, in response to slumping demand. The two plants have a total production capacity of 7,3-million tons a...

SA's Mintek can be a second Vale, says new CEO

With a history extending as far back as 1934, Mintek, South Africa’s national minerals-research organisation, celebrates its seventy-fifth anniversary next year, and the beginning of the 2007/8 financial year saw the emergence of a new Mintek...

South Africa’s Mintek can be a second Vale, says new CEO

With a history extending as far back as 1934, Mintek, South Africa’s national minerals-research organisation, celebrates its seventy-fifth anniversary next year, and the beginning of the 2007/8 financial year saw the emergence of a new Mintek...

South African company wins iron-ore exploration rights in Liberia

South Africa-based Delta Mining Consolidated has been named the winning bidder for the right to undertake iron-ore exploration in the western region of Liberia.

LionOre seeks $300m for Botswana nickel mine

LionOre Mining International Ltd., a Canadian nickel producer, said it will choose by November one of six banks from which to borrow $300-million to finance almost half the cost of a planned refinery in Botswana.

Richards Bay coal to trade near current levels, Kumba says

Thermal coal shipped from South Africa's Richards Bay Coal Terminal, the world's second-biggest coal export port, will trade near current levels of about $52 a metric ton over the next four years, Kumba Resources Ltd. said.

CVRD offers C$17,2bn in cash for Canada's Inco

Cia. Vale do Rio Doce, the world's largest iron-ore producer, offered C$17,2-billion ($15,3-billion) for Canada's Inco Ltd., seeking to grab mines outside of Brazil and deepen its ties to steelmakers. Vale plans to pay C$86 a share for Inco, the...

Vale declines to comment on report of C$17-bn Inco bid

Cia. Vale do Rio Doce, the world's largest iron-ore producer, declined to comment on a report in the Wall Street Journal that said it will bid C$17-billion ($15,1-billion) in cash for Canada's Inco Ltd.