Chemicals and sustainable technologies provider Johnson Matthey says the palladium and rhodium markets are likely to record smaller deficits this year, while platinum is likely to record a deficit of 600 000 oz on the back of lower primary supplies. It states in its latest yearly ‘PGM Market Report’ that an anticipated recovery in primary and secondary platinum group metal (PGM) production fell short of expectations in 2023.
Conference highlights coal mining industry safety milestones, new targets
The South African coal mining industry has made progress in reaching its goal of zero harm; however, programmes and initiatives must be bolstered to ensure this is achieved and then maintained. This was outlined by speakers during the Coal Safe 2024 conference, held on May 9, at Emperors Palace, in Gauteng.
Lotus confirms significant uranium potential in updated Letlhakane MRE
ASX-listed Lotus Resources has published a revised mineral resource estimate (MRE) of 155.3-million tonnes, grading 345 parts per million (ppm) triuranium octoxide (U3O8), for the Letlhakane uranium project, in Botswana.
This means the project can deliver 80-million pounds of recovered uranium over its life, based on a 70% recovery rate, the company says.
Tertiary granted enviro approval for exploration on second Zambian prospect
Aim-listed Tertiary Minerals’ environmental project brief (EPB) for the Mupala copper project, in Zambia, has been approved by the Zambia Environmental Management Agency, which allows the company to start mineral exploration on site.
The Mupala project is located 12 km west of the company’s Mukai project, both of which are located in the prospective Kabombo Domes region of Zambia, which is reported to host multiple producing copper and nickel mines, including First Quantum Minerals’ Sentinel mining complex.
India considers incentives for lithium processing, sources say
India is considering offering incentives to encourage private companies to set up lithium processing facilities, as New Delhi tries to develop its nascent lithium mining and boost supplies of the EV battery metal, three government sources said.
It would offer incentives to companies to set up lithium processing plants under a new critical minerals policy that was being worked out by the mines ministry, the sources said.
Caprice ventures into West Arunta with project acquisition
Perth-based Caprice Resources on Thursday announced plans to acquire a project in the West Arunta region of Western Australia.
Spanning over 1 479 km2, the Bantam project comprises four contiguous tenements, strategically positioned adjacent WA1 Resources’ site that hosts the Luni niobium/rare earth element discovery.
China April coal imports rise on lower domestic output, summer restocks
China’s coal imports rose in April, customs data showed on Thursday, fuelled by lower domestic production and greater buying by power generators to swell stockpiles ahead of the peak summer demand season.
Shipments of coal into the world’s largest consumer of the fuel were 45.25-million metric tons last month, up 11% from 40.68-million a year earlier, the data from the General Administration of Customs showed.
BHP-Anglo American deal raises alarm in Japan’s steel industry
Japanese steelmakers have raised concerns with Australian authorities that BHP Group could become too dominant in the global supply of coking coal if it goes ahead with a takeover of Anglo American.
Australia is the world’s biggest exporter of coking coal and top supplier to Japan, making up around 60% of its imports, with most of the steel-making ingredient coming from the state of Queensland, where BHP and Anglo American are the two largest producers.
De Beers progresses diamond traceability, emissions reduction targets
As part of efforts to provide increased provenance across the diamond industry, De Beers plans to bring the first non-De Beers Group goods onto its Tracr platform this year. The Tracr platform uses blockchain, AI, the Internet of Things and advanced security and privacy technology to track a diamond’s journey from where it is mined and throughout the value chain, providing consumers tamper-proof assurance of where the diamond comes from.
Pan African confident of meeting upper end of full-year production guidance
South African gold producer Pan African Resources has revised its full-year production guidance to between 186 000 oz and 190 000 oz, compared with previous guidance of 180 000 oz to 190 000 oz, while maintaining its all-in sustaining cost guidance at between $1 325/oz and $1 350/oz. In an update to shareholders about the group’s production expectations for the full financial year to end June 30, it says it ceased processing of marginal surface sources at Evander Gold Mines during the second half of the financial year, as the processing of this material was becoming uneconomical.