Новости за 13.07.2021

A survey undertaken by law firm Hogan Lovells on how technology is shaping the future prospects of mining, has found that almost 69% of respondents believe the skills gap is the greatest future risk to further technological integration in the mining industry. The ‘Future of Mining’ report notes that data and computer science graduates were ranked the third-most important, with education in deep technology disciplines such as Artificial Intelligence and robotics identified as the fifth-most important among the technology-related risks.

Although mining output increased by 21.9% year-on-year in May, the year-on-year comparison remain distorted owing to the low base recorded at the height of the Covid-19 crisis a year ago, and analysts deem it better to look at three-month percentage changes. To this effect, analysts at Rand Merchant Bank say the message remains positive. Although the pace of growth in volumes moderated from 6.3% in April to 5.6% in May, it is still noticeable faster than the rate recorded in the first quarter of the year.

MC Mining reports that operations at its 70%-owned Uitkomst colliery have been suspended temporarily in light of the continuing civil unrest in KwaZulu-Natal. Violence flared up in KwaZulu-Natal and Gauteng, as well as elsewhere in South Africa, following the imprisonment of former President Jacob Zuma late last week.

The median market capitalisation of companies in the metals and mining sector fell by 6.9% through June after two previous consecutive months of increases, analysis from S&P Global Market Intelligence shows. However, across the metals and mining companies analysed by S&P Global Market Intelligence, market capitalisations remain 81.1% above year-ago levels as at the end of June.

State-owned rail company Transnet is investigating a second derailment in as many weeks on the nation’s main coal-export line. A locomotive traveling from Richards Bay, the site of Africa’s biggest coal terminal, derailed on July 11, shutting the route until the following day, the company said by email. Just eight days earlier, a coal train had run off the tracks on its way to the terminal, interrupting service.

Mining and energy companies must stop extracting and burning coal if disastrous climate change is to be avoided, a new report by the Centre for Research on Multinational Corporations (Somo) stresses, though it questions what this transition will mean for communities and workers that depend on coal mining for their livelihoods. Additionally, the report seeks to discuss what the departure of mining and energy companies will mean for the victims of human rights violations that were allegedly perpetrated... Читать дальше...

The European Union and Ukraine signed on Tuesday a memorandum of understanding (MoU) covering critical raw materials and batteries as the 27-country bloc tries to diversify supplies following disruptions caused by the Covid-19 pandemic. The move is part of the European Commission's Action Plan on Critical Raw Materials announced in September to bolster supplies of materials vital to sectors including aerospace, defence, electronics, automotive and renewable energy, as well as energy-intensive industries and the health sector. Читать дальше...

Toronto-listed Nevada Copper is studying a potential solar project at its Pumpkin Hollow mine, which could materially reduce the already low grid power costs of Nevada. Renewables consulting group Sprout Associates is completing a feasibility study for Nevada Copper and initial conclusions are that the site has solar potential of up to 200 MW. Pumpkin Hollow benefits from ample sun and land to support a large solar project with the capacity to meet a significant portion of the openpit project’s power requirements, the mining company states.

The Fruta del Norte gold mine, in Ecuador, continues to exceed expectations and is firmly on track to meet its 2021 guidance, Vancouver-headquartered Lundin Gold CEO Ron Hochstein reported on Monday. The mine produced 108 799 oz in the second quarter, comprising 66 721 oz of concentrate and 42 078 oz of dore. Hochstein confirmed that Lundin would meet its year-end target of 380 000 oz to 420 000 oz.

The 39.34 ct exceptional Type IIb blue diamond which Petra Diamonds recovered at its Cullinan mine on April 1, has been sold to a partnership between diamond miners De Beers and Diacore for more than $40.1-million. Mined from the Cullinan C-Cut, Petra said on July 13 that it adds to the famous diamonds that have originated from this iconic mine.

Brazilian iron-ore miner Vale said on Monday in a securities filing that the compensation value for "not repairable damage" stemming from a dam collapse in 2015 has already been set and is not subject to renegotiation. The statement comes in response to a Reuters story published on Friday that said Brazilian prosecutors are looking for a new definitive agreement and consider the current framework, putting damages at around 20-billion reais ($3.80-billion), insufficient.

De Beers raised prices for its rough diamonds yet again as the industry’s dramatic recovery this year shows little sign of slowing. The top producer increased prices by about 5% at its July sale taking place this week, with most of the rises focused around higher-quality stones, according to people familiar with the matter, who asked not to be identified discussing private information. The Anglo American Plc unit raised prices at almost every sale this year, helping make up for a collapse in sales... Читать дальше...

Spain's nuclear regulator on Monday blocked Berkeley Energia's planned uranium mine in the west of the country on safety concerns, in a move that was welcomed by environmental campaigners and sent the company's stock plunging. The CSN regulator said it took the decision due to a lack of reliability and a high level of uncertainty over how radioactive waste would be stored at the facility.

Critical minerals developer Bass Metals has reached an agreement to acquire the San Jorge lithium brine project, in Argentina. The company in March this year signed a binding term sheet to acquire Blackearth SA, now Andes Litio SA, which holds an option over the San Jorge lithium project, in Argentina.

Copper and gold producer Aeris Resources has entered into unsecured Australian dollar copper hedges with Macquarie Bank. The ASX-listed company on Tuesday reported that it will deliver 6 050 t of copper from its Tritton operation, in New South Wales, between August 2021 and June 2022, in monthly installments of 550 t.

Resources communities in Queensland could now apply for state government funding for infrastructure projects that would benefit regional communities. Applications have opened to the state government’s A$100-million Resources Community Infrastructure Fund, which is aimed at delivering infrastructure in regional communities that would improve liability, support jobs and provide a boost to the economy as part of Queensland’s Covid-19 Economic Recovery Plan.