The mining industry briefing
The latest news, trends, and data from the mining industry
News in numbers
4.35 million
The Jansen Potash Project is expected to have a capacity of 4.35 million tonnes per annum
$200m
China’s Sinomine to invest $200m at Bikita lithium mine in Zimbabwe
51%
Tianqi Lithium now owns a 51% stake in the joint venture managing its Australian assets, alongside the Independence Group
5,000 tonnes
Half-funded by the US Department of Defense, a new rare earths separation facility in Texas will have a production capacity of around 5,000tpa
4.6 million
Nano One will issue 4.6 million shares at $2.08 apiece in a deal with Rio Tinto to develop a multi-cathode commercialisation plan
Project updates
Base Resources has announced its decision to move forward with the Bumamani mineral sands project in Kenya. The decision follows the completion of the definitive feasibility study, which determined the mine’s economic viability. According to the study, the Bumamani mine is expected to involve investment of $28.1m for development.
Anglo-Australian mining giant Rio Tinto has announced the first ore delivery from the $3.1bn Gudai-Darri iron ore in Western Australia. Said to be the firm’s first greenfield mine in more than a decade in the Pilbara, the Gudai-Darri mine is expected to have an annual capacity of 43 million tonnes with plans to reach full production capacity during 2023.
Canada-based mineral exploration company Orla Mining has signed a $188.3m (C$242m) deal to acquire Gold Standard Ventures. Upon deal completion, the existing shareholders of Gold Standard and Orla will hold 13% and 87%, respectively, of the combined business.
US-focused Uranium Energy has signed a deal to acquire Canadian uranium exploration and development company UEX, which is said to result in the formation of a diversified North America-focused uranium major. The deal helps Uranium Energy foray into the prospective uranium districts of Saskatchewan and Nunavut in Canada.
FURTHER READING
US joins forces with other nations to secure critical minerals supply
The US Government has concluded a minerals security partnership (MSP) with several other countries to secure the supply of critical minerals to address the growing global demand for the commodity.
Intended to strengthen critical mineral supply chains, the alliance will help spur investment across the full value chain from the partner countries and the private sector for strategic opportunities while complying with the highest environmental, social, and governance regulations.
MSP partner countries include Canada, Australia, Finland, Germany, France, Japan, the Republic of Korea, Sweden, the UK, the US and the European Commission.
Source: Mining Technology
