Glencore joins US critical minerals reserve in $500m EXIM deal
THE US government has selected Glencore to help it build a strategic reserve of critical minerals in a development that deepens the Swiss miner’s relationship with Washington.…
Congo plans one-stop mining investment agency
THE Democratic Republic of Congo is setting up a centralised agency to fast-track major mining investments, said Reuters citing sources. The agency is part of reforms tied to its…
Illegal miners return to Eurasian Resources’ Congo cobalt site
ILLEGAL miners backed by armed men have again occupied part of a major cobalt project in the Democratic Republic of Congo, Bloomberg reported. Eurasian Resources Group (ERG) said…
Congo tightens grip on geological data
THE Democratic Republic of Congo plans to tighten state control over geological data used by mining companies, Reuters reported. The move could give the country greater sway over…
What resource nationalism means for Africa’s miners
Governments across Africa are seeking to assert greater control over their mineral wealth by rewriting mining codes, demanding larger equity stakes or greater local…
India, Zambia restart critical minerals talks
India has resumed talks with Zambia over potential investments in copper and other critical minerals as it looks overseas to secure raw materials for its growing economy, Reuters…
Congo copper corridor set for $1bn US boost
MOTA-Engil is set to sign a 30-year concession to rehabilitate and operate a key copper and cobalt railway in the Democratic Republic of Congo, according to Bloomberg. The…
For Sibanye-Stillwater, home is where the ore is
SIBANYE-Stillwater got its name as a result of offshore expansion, but following a damaging decline in metal prices that exposed its balance sheet, its new CEO is promising a…
Metals of war: why US Govt has weaponised mining
Eighteen mining companies went public in the past 12 months with one aim in common: an ambition to supply the US government’s defence industry. Assisted by US President Donald…
Glencore joins battle for Cuba-linked cobalt refiner
GLENCORE has entered the contest to recapitalise Sherritt International, pitting the mining giant against a family office with ties to Donald Trump for control of a Canadian…
Congo probes uranium in cobalt exports
THE Democratic Republic of Congo has opened an investigation into uranium contamination found in cobalt shipments amid mounting pressure over the amount of the radioactive…
Uranium from seawater: Froneman plans new mining firm
NEAL Froneman led the company he founded, Sibanye-Stillwater, for 13 years before abruptly announcing he would step down last year, aged 65. Those years were a punchy, all-action…
Congo bans copper, cobalt concentrate exports – report
THE Democratic Republic of Congo has banned exports of copper and cobalt concentrate, marking a major escalation of its push to force domestic processing, said Reuters in an…
US-backed group favoured for Tanzania nickel deal
A CONSORTIUM backed by the US government has emerged as the preferred candidate to invest in a major nickel project in Tanzania, said Bloomberg News. Lifezone Metals, which has…
US bans critical mineral exports in bid to boost defence
THE US will prohibit exports of certain used critical minerals as it moves to secure military supply chains and reduce reliance on China for metals, said the Financial Times. The…
US backs Madagascar rare earths project
THE US State Department has confirmed support for the Ampasindava rare earths development in Madagascar, part of a broader effort to reduce reliance on rivals – chiefly China –…
Congo pushes ahead with local ownership deadline
DEMOCRATIC Republic of Congo will begin enforcing a long-delayed rule requiring miners to hand over local ownership stakes from 31 July, Reuters quoted the mines ministry as…
Ebola curbs strain US-Congo minerals pact
US travel restrictions imposed over Congo’s Ebola outbreak are complicating a fledgling economic partnership between the two nations, said Bloomberg News, citing Congo’s foreign…
Zimbabwe’s only lithium plant lacks spare capacity
ZIMBABWE’S single operating lithium sulphate plant, run by a unit of China’s Zhejiang Huayou Cobalt, has no room to process material from rival producers just months before a ban…
Congo mining reform risks investor confidence, body warns
DEMOCRATIC Republic of Congo’s leading mining industry body has warned that proposed reforms to tighten state control over the sector could undermine investor confidence,…