Nunasvaara South is expected to produce up to 120,000 tonnes (t) of natural graphite per year. Credit: RHJPhtotos / Shutterstock

Australian Securities Exchange-listed Talga Group has secured an exploitation concession for its Nunasvaara South natural graphite mine, part of its Vittangi Anode project in northern Sweden.

The Mining Inspectorate of Sweden issued the positive decision on 17 October 2024, allowing Talga to engage in graphite mining for a period of 25 years, with options to extend.

The concession follows the approval of the Environmental and Natura 2000 permit for the mine in April 2023. However, appeals related to the mine's environmental permit are currently under review by the Swedish Supreme Court.

The Talga board of directors awaits the finalisation of key mine permit approvals and the progression of customer offtake agreements before it can approve a final investment decision (FID) on the project. Once the FID is made, Talga anticipates an 18–24-month construction timeline for the project.

Talga Group CEO Martin Phillips said the approval “is another step towards establishing the integrated Vittangi Anode project, and a key step in EU production of this critical and strategic mineral”.

Mining companies are increasingly adopting sustainable strategies such as low-carbon smelting and recycling programmes to reduce their environmental impact and boost efficiency, according to a GlobalData report.

In turn, these innovations optimise resource use and lower operational costs by enhancing metal recovery and minimising waste.

The report, produced by Mining Technology’s parent company, suggests that despite initial high investment, ongoing technological advances are “steering the sector towards more sustainable mining practices”.

“Advanced smelting technologies enhance metal recovery and produce higher purity materials, allowing mining companies to maximise the value of their ore while minimising waste,” says Likith Togita, senior analyst of disruptive tech at GlobalData.

“Meanwhile, recycling programmes facilitate the recovery of metals from previously discarded materials, creating a more sustainable approach to resource management in the industry.”

Semirara Mining and Power is planning to invest approximately $5.07bn (291.4bn pesos) to expand its mining operations in the Philippines.

The five-year proposal has been submitted to the Department of Environment and Natural Resources.

The expansion will involve running the existing Molave and Narra pits at the same time, followed by the Acacia pit once the first two are depleted. The Molave pit, which reached the end of its life in November 2023, has produced 86.06 million tonnes of coal since 2016. The entire expansion is set to continue until 2027.

At the Philippine Stock Exchange, Semirara said the proposal comprises production costs, capital expenditures and operational expenses.

“These estimates are subject to change depending on various circumstances or factors, including operational efficiencies and final approval from our regulator, the Department of Energy, in accordance with the company’s coal operating contract,” Semirara said in the filing.

Junta leader Ibrahim Traoré has announced that Burkina Faso is set to withdraw mining permits from some foreign companies operating in the country.

The decision was made to increase the amount of domestically produced gold. Gold is the main metal exported from Burkina Faso.

Traoré made the announcement in a radio address on the two-year anniversary of taking control of the country following a coup.

He said: “We know how to mine our gold and I don’t understand why we are going to let multinationals come and mine it… in fact, we are going to withdraw mining permits.”

Gold production across West Africa, led by Burkina Faso, Ghana, Mali and the Republic of Guinea, is expected to reach 11.83 million ounces in 2024, a 2.6% increase from 2023, says GlobalData.

Production in Mali and Burkina Faso is expected to decline by 5.5% collectively due to factors such as lower ore grades, planned reduction and temporary suspension of operating activities.

China’s Zomlion Heavy Industry Science & Technology has unveiled what it claims to be the world’s largest hybrid electric drive mining truck, the ZTE520.

Designed for sustainability, the ZTE520 can meet the demands of large-scale open-pit mining operations with its significant payload capacity and advanced hybrid power system.

The ZTE520’s dimensions, spanning over 9m in width and 7m in height, allow for a payload capacity of 300t and a total weight exceeding 520t.

Its hybrid power system, which includes a 16-cylinder, 52-litre diesel engine with 2,100hp, is complemented by the industry’s largest hybrid battery.

The truck’s electric drive and high-torque wheel hub drive system are engineered to achieve up to a 15% reduction in energy consumption while maintaining a robust lifespan of more than 60,000 hours.

The ZTE520 suits large-scale open-pit mining operations with annual production of more than 30mt.