Constance - Copperbelt Katanga Mining

Written by Constance

Orano Loses Control of Niger’s Somair Uranium Mine Amid Governance Issues

December 5, 2024December 5, 2024 Constance

Orano, a major player in the nuclear energy sector, has lost control of its Somair uranium mine in Niger due to governance issues and interference from Nigerien authorities. The French company, which owns over 60% of Somair, had already suspended production after Niger halted uranium exports last year. Niger, responsible for around 4% of global uranium production, has long been a key supplier to Orano. However, following a military coup in the country last year, the situation for international companies has become increasingly unstable. Orano cited the recent actions of… Read More Here

DRC Considers Mineral Management for Energy Transition and 2050 Emergence

December 5, 2024December 5, 2024 Constance

From December 3 to 5, 2024, the government of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), mining companies, and civil society convened in Kinshasa to discuss strategic actions for the country’s emergence by 2050, focusing on its critical minerals essential to the global energy transition. These include copper, cobalt, lithium, iron, nickel, manganese, germanium, tantalum, tungsten, tin, rare earths, phosphates, and geothermal deposits. The Ministry of Mines and the Resource Matters organization organized this forum to gather input from diverse stakeholders, contributing to the Congolese government’s development of a strategic plan… Read More Here

Mining in Zambia Copper Economy

FQM Signs New Agreement with Unions to Enhance Salaries and Benefits for 2025-2026

December 5, 2024December 5, 2024 Constance

First Quantum Minerals (FQM), through its subsidiaries Kansanshi Mining and FQM Trident, has signed a new agreement with six major unions to improve employee salaries and benefits for the years 2025 and 2026. Under the new agreement, eligible workers will receive a 15% salary increase starting in January 2025, followed by an additional 15% raise in 2026. . The deal also includes improved allowances for education and leave, enhanced pension contributions, and better rewards for long service. The unions involved in the agreement are the National Union of Miners and… Read More Here

Mining in Zambia Copper Economy Infrastructural Development

FQM Partners with Zambian Govt to Upgrade Mutanda-Kaoma Road for Economic Growth

December 5, 2024December 9, 2024 Constance

First Quantum Minerals (FQM) has partnered with the Zambian government to upgrade the 371-kilometre Mutanda-Kaoma road, a vital route for transporting materials and copper products to the ports of Walvis Bay and Durban. The initiative aims to improve Zambia’s road infrastructure, which is critical for strengthening the mining sector and driving economic growth. FQM Country Manager Dr. Godwin Beene highlighted the project’s alignment with Vision 2030 and the Eighth National Development Plan (8NDP). He emphasized its potential to enhance logistics efficiency, promote rural development, and unlock new economic opportunities. “This… Read More Here

Mining in Zambia Mining safety Safety & Health

Zambian Mining Companies Collaborate on Mine Rescue Training to Enhance Safety

December 5, 2024December 5, 2024 Constance

Mine rescue teams from ten leading Zambian mining companies recently gathered for a joint training session at First Quantum Minerals’ Kansanshi Mining site in Solwezi District. The training aimed to enhance safety and rescue capabilities across Zambia’s mining sector. This event represented a significant step toward standardizing safety protocols and fostering a unified approach to mine rescue operations. Kansanshi Mine Technical Manager Clayton Reeves highlighted the importance of industry-wide collaboration, noting, “Shared safety knowledge and teamwork are essential for protecting lives in our industry.” Representatives from the participating mines praised… Read More Here

Transport and Logistics Angola Infrastructural Development Mining in DRC Mining in Zambia

Biden Announces $600 Million in New Financing for African Railway Infrastructure

December 5, 2024December 5, 2024 Constance

President Joe Biden is concluding his trip to Angola with a significant announcement of $600 million in new financing for a multi-country railway, a move aimed at boosting U.S. investment in critical minerals infrastructure across Africa and countering China’s growing influence on the continent. This latest announcement builds on the $553 million pledged earlier this year by the U.S. International Development Finance Corporation (DFC) for the Lobito Trans-Africa Corridor, which will connect the Central African copperbelt to the Angolan coast. The new funding will support not only rail infrastructure but… Read More Here

International Copper Corporate News Lithium

Rio Tinto Sells 30% Stake in Winu Copper-Gold Project to Sumitomo for $399 Million

December 5, 2024December 5, 2024 Constance

Rio Tinto Plc has agreed to sell a 30% stake in its Winu copper-gold project in Western Australia to Japan’s Sumitomo Metal Mining Co. for $399 million. Under the terms of the deal, Sumitomo will pay $195 million upfront and an additional $204 million in deferred payments tied to development progress, Rio Tinto said in a statement on Wednesday. The two companies also plan to explore further partnership opportunities across copper, other base metals, and lithium. Katie Jackson, Rio Tinto’s Chief Executive of Copper, described the transaction as a “unique… Read More Here

International Economy Gold

Gold Prices Dip Amid Stronger Dollar and Geopolitical Shifts

December 5, 2024December 5, 2024 Constance

Gold prices edged lower on Monday, pressured by a strengthening US dollar following comments from President-elect Donald Trump, who warned BRICS nations against forming a new currency. The rising dollar has made gold more expensive for holders of other currencies, further dampening demand. Spot gold traded at $2,635 an ounce in early Asian hours, after falling nearly 3% the previous week. As of 9:13 a.m. in Singapore, the metal was down 0.4% to $2,632.11, while the Bloomberg Dollar Spot Index rose 0.3%. Other precious metals, including silver, platinum, and palladium,… Read More Here

International

Peru Extends Controversial Permit for Informal Miners Amid Industry Tensions

December 5, 2024December 5, 2024 Constance

Peru’s Congress voted late Friday to extend the controversial Reinfo permit for six months, allowing informal mines to continue operating legally. The decision reflects a complex battle of interests, with large business groups opposing the permit and hundreds of thousands of informal miners advocating for its continuation. Peru is a significant global hub for copper mining, home to major operators such as Freeport-McMoRan and Southern Copper. The Reinfo permit has become a contentious issue as it seeks to regulate informal mining while addressing concerns about illegality and environmental impact. The… Read More Here

Transport and Logistics Angola Mining in DRC Mining in Zambia Press Release

President Biden visits Lobito Atlantic Railway to view copper exports to the USA

December 5, 2024December 5, 2024 Constance

Lobito, December 4, 2024 – The President of the United States of America, Joe Biden, visited the Multipurpose Terminal at the Port of Lobito, Angola yesterday, where he watched the arrival of a train operated by the Lobito Atlantic Railway (LAR), transporting copper from the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). The copper was then loaded onto a vessel bound for New Orleans, in the United States, highlighting, once again, the strategic role of the Lobito Corridor in linking Southern Africa and international markets. Nicolas Gregoir, Director of Operations (COO) at LAR, presented to… Read More Here