Battery Metals - Copperbelt Katanga Mining

Mehdi Wetterwald Exits Trafigura’s Metals Unit Amid Transformations

January 22, 2024January 22, 2024 Constance

Mehdi Wetterwald, previously co-head of battery metals at Trafigura Group, is leaving the trading house, marking the latest in a series of senior departures from its metals unit. Wetterwald, who had been with Trafigura since 2012, was appointed as co-head of global nickel, cobalt, and lithium trading alongside Daniel von Arx last February. Following a significant alleged nickel fraud against the company, von Arx later assumed sole leadership of the division. Sources familiar with the matter, speaking on condition of anonymity, indicated that Wetterwald is departing for personal reasons. His… Read More Here

Mining in DRC Battery Metals Cobalt

Northvolt Eyes Sustainable Cobalt Sourcing from DRC

January 19, 2024January 19, 2024 Constance

Swedish battery manufacturer Northvolt announced its intention to explore sourcing cobalt, a crucial component in electric vehicle (EV) battery production, from the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). The company has conducted trials, studied work processes, and compared plans to enhance both social and environmental sustainability, seeking long-term partnerships. Chief Environmental Officer Emma Nehrenheim expressed confidence in engaging with sourcing agreements within the year during a Reuters phone interview, though no specific timeframe was provided. Stakeholders’ requests prompted Northvolt to directly engage with miners and other parties to improve working conditions… Read More Here

Mining in Zambia Battery Metals Copper Press Release

KANSANSHI US$1.25 BILLION S3 EXPANSION ON TRACK, SAYS FQM

January 17, 2024January 17, 2024 Constance

SOLWEZI, ZAMBIA – As part of its 2023 Preliminary Production and 2024-2026 guidance issued on Monday, First Quantum Minerals Ltd has reiterated its commitment to delivering the ‘S3 Expansion’ project at the Kansanshi mine, near Solwezi, North-Western Province. The announcement was made as part of a stock market announcement providing guidance on recent and future production across the company’s operations. In May 2022 First Quantum reinforced its commitment to Zambia by investing US$1.25 billion in the Kansanshi mine, the largest investment into the Zambian mining industry in recent years. Known… Read More Here

Mining in Zambia Battery Metals Cobalt Mining in DRC Transport and Logistics

The Lobito Corridor Project’s Strategic Impact on Sustainability and Global Influence

January 15, 2024January 15, 2024 Constance

In the ever-evolving landscape of electric vehicles (EVs), a new challenge is emerging that extends beyond charging station accessibility: the availability of a critical mineral – cobalt. This heavy metal, predominantly sourced from central Africa, plays a pivotal role in EV batteries, and its scarcity poses a potential hindrance to the widespread adoption of EVs in the United States. To address this concern and bolster the global supply of cobalt and other essential minerals, the United States is investing significantly in a groundbreaking infrastructure initiative in Africa. The Lobito Corridor… Read More Here

International Battery Metals Cobalt

Eurasian Resources Group and Thara Partner to Explore Cobalt Sulphate Refinery in Saudi Arabia

January 13, 2024January 13, 2024 Constance

Eurasian Resources Group (ERG), a diversified mining company, is actively pursuing the establishment of a refinery dedicated to processing cobalt hydroxide into cobalt sulphates – a key component in electric vehicle (EV) batteries. The move aims to bolster ERG’s position as a strategic supplier to the chemicals sector, particularly in the EV battery industry. ERG has identified Saudi Arabia as a potential location for the refinery and is collaborating with the investment platform Thara to explore and pursue this investment opportunity. Thara, focusing on unlocking Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 opportunities,… Read More Here

Mining in DRC Battery Metals Cobalt

DRC: CMOC dethrones Glencore as the world’s leading cobalt producer

January 11, 2024January 11, 2024 Constance

At a time of energy transition, there is a real rush towards the mining sector of the Democratic Republic of Congo, whose contribution to the national economy is no less. However, in this copper-cobalt El Dorado, two giants of the sector, namely the Chinese CMOC and the Swiss Glencore, are waging a merciless battle, centered on competitiveness. Thanks to its Kisanfu copper-cobalt mine based in the Democratic Republic of Congo in the Haut-Katanga province, with a capacity of 30,009 tonnes, inaugurated in 2023, the giantChinese group CMOC thus becomes the… Read More Here

Battery Metals Coal Diamond Gold International

Five Mineral Markets to Watch in 2024

January 10, 2024January 10, 2024 Constance

With a focus on sustainable and equitable extraction, COP28 highlighted the pivotal role of critical minerals in securing clean energy supplies and transition value chains. In line with these advancements – which sees global demand more than doubling by 2030 – mineral-rich African countries are strengthening their regulatory frameworks and introducing new incentives to attract mining-focused investments. The second edition of the Critical Minerals Africa summit – slated for October 2024 – will showcase these markets and their role in global supply-demand dynamics over the next decade. Below are the top five… Read More Here

Battery Metals International Press Release

UMK announces reduction in Manganese production

January 2, 2024January 2, 2024 Constance

Johannesburg: United Manganese of Kalahari (UMK) announced today that, in response to the worsening market conditions, it will reduce the production of manganese ore and concomitant to that, the sale of its ore products, for the time being. “Softened demand side conditions have informed our decision to ease production and sales,” said UMK chief executive Malcolm Curror. He added that the company will return to normalised outputs when the market recovers. Curror noted that the temporary slowdown in production and sales will have no impact on the company’s employee body. … Read More Here

Mining in DRC Battery Metals Cobalt Copper

price of cobalt falls to 28,579 USD per tonne at the end of December 2023 in DRC

December 28, 2023December 28, 2023 Constance

Despite its essential role in the automobile industry, particularly in the manufacture of electric batteries, the price of cobalt has continued to plummet on international markets for almost a year.During the week from December 25 to 30, 2023, the price of cobalt is expected to fall by 8.70% or USD 28,579 per tonne this week compared to USD 31,302 per tonne a week previously. Apart from cobalt, tantalum is also expected to see a slight drop in price this week to USD 212.40 from USD 213.00, a drop of 0.28%… Read More Here

Battery Metals Cobalt Copper Lithium

Top 5 Investments Made in Africa’s Critical Minerals in 2023

December 27, 2023December 27, 2023 Constance

The surge in global interest in critical minerals, essential for sustainable energy technologies and electric vehicles, has unleashed a wave of investments across Africa, home to 30% of the world’s mineral reserves. This year witnessed an influx of deals, cooperative agreements, and strategic investments aimed at fortifying the continent’s role in the global critical mineral supply chain. Here are the top five transformative investments that reshaped Africa’s critical mineral landscape in 2023. 1.Japan and UK Forge Joint Investments in African Critical Minerals Announced in September, Japan and the UK unveiled… Read More Here