Новости за 21.07.2021

Peru’s mining industry is hopeful of avoiding the kind of drastic measures that would stifle investment and future production when Pedro Castillo takes office in the world’s No. 2 copper producer. While the president-elect may have spoken of taking some extreme measures during the campaign, he may be more measured once in office, according to Victor Gobitz, president of Peru’s Institute of Mining Engineers. During a tense and polarizing election process, the rural union activist from a Marxist party vowed to nationalize energy assets... Читать дальше...

Myanmar Metals said on Wednesday it planned to sell its 51% stake in Bawdwin silver, lead, and zinc project in Myanmar, citing difficulties in securing financing for the $300-million project after a coup led to social unrest earlier this year. Businesses have collapsed in the Southeast Asian country ever since the military coup, which prompted widespread protests and strikes. The violence displaced thousands and killed hundreds of civilians. "It is the board's view that the procurement of project... Читать дальше...

This week: Exploration is quick foreign investment ‘no brainer’; and, Things are very rosy in the world of AfriTin

Rio Tinto is asking train drivers working in mineral-rich Western Australia to work more hours, following a move by rival BHP Group, as miners rush to ship millions of tonnes of iron-ore amid soaring prices for the steel making material. The push comes among a worsening skills shortage in Australia's west that has been exacerbated by strict coronavirus restrictions, which unions say have raised mental health risks for workers and their families.

Chilean miner Antofagasta said on Wednesday copper production in the first half of 2021 fell 2.8% to 361 500 t from the same year-ago period, due to lower recoveries and grades at some operations. In the second quarter, copper output stood at 178 400 t, down from 183 000 t in the previous quarter, it said. The London-listed miner left its full-year guidance unchanged at 730 000 t to 760 000 t of copper at a net cash cost of $1.25 per pound and capital expenditure of $1.6 billion, but warned that this could be affected by the lack of rainfall... Читать дальше...

Diamond miner Petra Diamonds produced 3.2-million carats at its operations in the financial year ended June 30. The Cullinan mine’s performance, which contributed production of more than 1.9-million carats, was offset by lower production at Finsch and Koffiefontein, while the Williamson mine, in Tanzania, remained on care and maintenance.

The Australian Petroleum Production and Exploration Association (Appea) has warned that the New South Wales government’s Future of Gas Statement would effectively lock up most of the state from gas development, costing jobs and the economy. Deputy Premier John Barilaro unveiled the Future of Gas Statement to set a clear and consistent policy framework for gas exploration and development in the state.

TSX-V-listed Rio2 has arranged mine construction financing totalling between $125-million and $135-million to finance the construction of a mine at its Fenix gold project, in Chile. The financing package comprises a nonbinding term sheet with Wheaton Precious Metals International (WPMI) for a $50-million gold purchase agreement, a senior project debt facility of $50-million to $60-million, a marketed public offering of about C$25-million and a nonbrokered private placement to WPMI for $35-million.

More than 14 000 South Africans now own shares in the discovery and development mining company Orion Minerals, which is reflective of retail investment that can be stimulated in South Africa to support essential local minerals exploration. What is also extremely promising is that the dual listed Orion is trading a much higher volume of shares on South Africa’s JSE than on Australia’s ASX.

The Association of Mining and Exploration Companies (Amec) has weclomed an announcement by the Western Australian government that it would invest a further A$120-million into streamlining the state’s approval system for major capital projects. In the 2021-22 state Budget, to be handed down in September, the state government has allocated A$120-million for more than 150 frontline officers in five agencies to speed up project approvals.

Diversified miner Rio Tinto has reached an agreement with Bougainville community members, represented by the Human Rights Law Centre, to identify and assess legacy impacts of the former Panguna copper mine in Bougainville. The agreement follows several months of constructive discussions facilitated by the Australian OECD National Contact Point (AusNCP).

A joint feasibility study will be conducted into the development of a clean fuel ammonia supply chain from Australia to Japan. Australian energy major Woodside, along with Japan Oil, Gas and Metals National Corporation, Marubeni Corporation, Hokuriku Electric Power Company and the Kansai Electric Power Company would undertake the feasibility study.

Diversified miner South32 has warned of a $728-million pretax impairment charge for its Illawarra metallurgical coal operations for the 2021 financial year, following a review over the asset’s carrying value. The miner told shareholders that the impairment charge reflected the increased approval uncertainty created by the New South Wales Independent Planning Commission’s (IPC) decision to refuse the application for the Dendrobium Next Domain life extension project, and the resultant potential impacts... Читать дальше...

Diversified miner South32 has reported record annual production at a number of operations globally, along with production increases across a number of its commodities. The company on Wednesday reported that alumina production for the fourth quarter ended June was up 17% quarter-on-quarter, to 1.4-million tonnes, while full-year production to June was up 2% on the previous financial year, to 5.3-million tonnes.