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Capanema iron ore project will produce around 15mt of iron ore per year. Credit: Samuel Souza

Vale has begun commissioning the Capanema Maximization Project in Minas Gerais, Brazil, aiming to bolster its iron ore production capacity by approximately 15 million tonnes per year (mtpa). 

The project, part of Vale's Mariana Operational Complex, aims to reach its projected iron ore production of 340–360mtpa by 2026. 

The Capanema project marks a significant expansion of Vale's natural moisture or dry processing operations, which currently represent more than 70% of its total iron ore production in Brazil. 

To restart operations in the Capanema mine, Vale has implemented a long-distance belt conveyor system (LTC) to transport ore to the Timbopeba railway terminal. Additionally, upgrades have been made to the storage and loading areas at Timbopeba, facilitating transportation to the Port of Tubarão via the Vitória-Minas Railway. An autonomous fleet of off-road trucks has been introduced at the site to enhance safety and operational efficiency. 

The project's construction phase saw the involvement of around 40 companies and more than 6,000 workers, with a focus on employing local labour.

Rio Tinto is advancing its research and development programme to explore gallium extraction from bauxite at its alumina refinery in Saguenay–Lac-Saint-Jean, Quebec, Canada. 

The potential gallium extraction process could significantly impact the global supply of this critical mineral. 

If successful, Rio Tinto plans to establish a demonstration plant capable of producing up to 3.5 tonnes per annum (tpa) of gallium. 

The Government of Quebec has pledged up to C$7m ($4.8m) to support the demonstration phase. 

Canada Minister of Innovation, Science and Industry François-Philippe Champagne said: “When it comes to critical minerals, Canada has all it takes to be the global supplier of choice and that is why our government is proud to work with key industry actors like Rio Tinto.” 

A commercial-scale plant could eventually produce 40tpa of gallium, accounting for 5–10% of the current global production. 

China accounted for 98% of worldwide primary low-purity gallium production in 2023, according to the US Geological Survey. China has banned the export of gallium, germanium, antimony, and other critical minerals to the US.

Zimbabwe has announced its intention to secure a 26% free-carry stake in all new mining projects in the country. 

The decision is part of the government's strategy to increase its share in the lucrative mining industry, which includes a variety of metals such as gold, platinum, lithium and chrome. 

Zimbabwe's mining sector is home to several major players including Zimplats Holdings, Anglo American Platinum's Unki mine and RioZim. 

The government's plan also extends to negotiations with existing mining operations to obtain a similar stake. 

Zimbabwe Secretary for Mines Pfungwa Kunaka was quoted by Bloomberg as saying: “We need to move to a level where we reach 26% shareholding in most of the big projects. A lot of these things would take negotiations with the investors that are on the ground.” 

Kunaka did not reveal the minimum value of mining assets that would require government ownership but said that the policy would be implemented starting from next year. 

In November, Zimbabwe said that it would discontinue providing tax relief to mining companies starting in January 2025.

The Norwegian government has halted its plans to issue deep-sea mining exploration permits, originally scheduled for the first half of 2025. 

This decision comes as a result of the Socialist Left party, an environmentalist group outside the governing coalition, supporting the government budget in return for suspension of the inaugural licensing round. 

The suspension follows increasing global calls for a moratorium on deep seabed mining, as scientists and conservationists warn it could cause permanent damage to marine life. 

In June 2024, the Norwegian Ministry of Energy announced plans to award exploration permits for Arctic seabed mining by the first half of 2025.

Said to be rich in sulphide and manganese crusts, the area for exploration is situated between Norway and Greenland.

The region is estimated to hold up to 45 million tonnes (mt) of zinc and around 38mt of cobalt, as per a paper released by the government last June.

Pilbara Minerals and its joint venture (JV) partner POSCO Holdings have completed Train 2 at their joint Lithium Hydroxide Monohydrate Chemical Facility in Gwangyang, South Korea. 

This move marks the establishment of what is claimed to be Korea's first lithium hydroxide plant. 

The facility is expected to have a production capacity of up to 43,000t of battery-grade lithium hydroxide each year. This is enough to potentially make batteries for approximately one million electric vehicles. 

As part of long-term offtake agreement, Pilbara is responsible for the supply of spodumene concentrate from its Pilgangoora Operation in Western Australia to the South Korean facility. 

The JV between POSCO and Pilbara Minerals, POSCO Pilbara Lithium Solution (PPLS), was established in 2021. POSCO holds 82% in the JV, which owns and operates the facility. Pilbara Minerals owns the remaining 18% interest. 

Pilbara Minerals expects the ramp-up phase for Train 2 to be achieved within 12 to 18 months following commissioning.