Copper - Copperbelt Katanga Mining

Konkola Copper Mines Prepares for Resumed Operations

January 22, 2024January 22, 2024 Constance

Zambia’s Mines Minister, Paul Kabuswe, provided assurance to Konkola Copper Mines (KCM) management, confirming the completion of all necessary documentation with Vedanta Resources to resume mine operations. Kabuswe emphasized that the only pending aspect is the scheme of operations, currently under legal scrutiny, with all processes finalized by December of the previous year. Despite the positive outlook, Cornelius Chimbanga, the General Manager of the Konkola Deep Mine Project, highlighted challenges preventing the mine from operating at full capacity. Liquidity issues pose a significant hurdle, impacting the mine’s efficiency. Hastings Sholande,… Read More Here

Mining in DRC Cobalt Copper Economy

DRC and China Discuss $7 Billion Financing for Mineral-Infrastructure Deal

January 22, 2024January 22, 2024 Constance

President Felix Tshisekedi announced during his second inaugural address in Kinshasa that China and the Democratic Republic of Congo are in discussions for $7 billion in financing as part of a renegotiated minerals-for-infrastructure deal. Tshisekedi has been advocating for the restructuring of a 2008 $6.2 billion contract, arguing that the original deal, centered around the Sicomines copper and cobalt mine, has provided minimal benefit to Congo. While the mine has been operational for years, Congo’s government reports that less than a third of the promised $3 billion in development funds… Read More Here

Mining in Zambia Copper Equipment & Technology Mining Equipment

Hitachi Debuts Engineless Full Battery Dump Truck for FQMs’ Kansanshi Mine in Zambia

January 17, 2024January 17, 2024 Constance

Hitachi Construction Machinery Co., Ltd. completed the test machine version of an engineless, full battery rigid frame dump truck (“full battery dump truck”), and on January 20, 2024, test machine will be shipped from Hitachi Construction Machinery’s Hitachinaka-Rinko Works (Hitachinaka, Ibaraki Prefecture, Japan) to the Kansanshi copper and gold mine operated by First Quantum Minerals Ltd, in the Republic of Zambia. With environmental awareness on the rise in the mining industry, there is growing interest in the electrification of mining machinery as part of efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.… Read More Here

Mining in DRC Copper Electricity

Trafo Power Solutions Delivers 40+ Substations to Kamoa Copper

January 17, 2024January 17, 2024 Constance

Trafo Power Solutions says it has supplied 40 dry-type mini-substations, as well as seven standalone ring main units, to Kamoa Copper SA, one of the Africa’s largest and fastest growing copper operations, situated in the Democratic Republic of Congo. Kamoa Copper is the operator of the Kamoa-Kakula copper complex. “We are immensely proud to be involved in this mega project,” says David Claassen, Managing Director at Trafo Power Solutions. “Considerable design work and planning went into this contract, with very demanding lead times to keep up with the mine’s rapid… Read More Here

International Copper

FQM Initiates Strategic Measures Following Cobré Panama Closure

January 17, 2024January 17, 2024 Constance

First Quantum has announced plans to explore the sale of smaller mines in its portfolio and stakes in larger mining assets as part of strategic measures to address challenges arising from the closure of Cobré Panama. The company, however, dismissed rumors of selling a stake in the company or whole mines, particularly in Zambia, where it remains committed. The closure of Cobré Panama resulted from a dispute with the Panamanian government, which ruled in December that the mine’s license violated several articles of the country’s constitution. First Quantum faces a… 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

International Copper

FQM offers voluntary retirement to over 1,500 Panama mine staff

January 17, 2024January 17, 2024 Constance

First Quantum Minerals, opens new tab on Tuesday offered voluntary retirement to more than 1,500 employees at its key Panama mine, a day after announcing a major restructuring to conserve cash, which included suspension of dividends. The Canadian miner is dealing with the fallout of the Panama government’s decision in December to halt production at Cobre Panama mine following public protests, which accounted for more than 40% of the company’s annual revenue and is considered one of the biggest and newest copper mines in the world. Because of the closure… Read More Here

International Copper

Panamanian commission visits copper mine shut down after court invalidated concession

January 15, 2024January 15, 2024 Constance

Panama’s government last week inspected a huge copper mine shut down after the country’s Supreme Court ruled in November that the government’s concession with a Canadian mining company was unconstitutional. The deal had triggered widespread street protests. The administration of President Laurentino Cortizo has promised to carry out an orderly closure of First Quantum Minerals’ mine. The process will take years if carried out in a way to avoid environmental impacts, according to the company, the government and outside experts. The mine’s closure meant the loss of thousands of jobs.… Read More Here

Mining in DRC Cobalt Copper Diamond

DRC’s Abundant Mineral Wealth Takes Center Stage at Future Minerals Forum 2024

January 14, 2024January 14, 2024 Constance

The Democratic Republic of Congo was highlighted at the Future Minerals Forum 2024 conference, which took place in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Dieudonné-Louis Tambwe, an expert in mining issues and the coordinator of the Technical Coordination and Mining Planning Unit (CTCPM), presented numerous investment opportunities in the DRC’s mining sector during the session dedicated to the country. In his speech, Dieudonné-Louis Tambwe highlighted the different metallogenic provinces and blocks of the DRC, as well as their characteristic minerals. In total, he mentioned eight blocks, each with specific mineral resources. These included… Read More Here

Mining in Zambia Copper Mine Safety Mining safety Safety & Health

FQM Trident Advances Workplace Safety with Think! Champions

January 14, 2024January 14, 2024 Constance

In a dedicated effort to enhance workplace safety, FQM Trident, a key player in the mining industry, has recognized and certified 24 employees who successfully completed a rigorous 10-day Trainer of Trainers’ Behavioural Enhancement Safety Programme. This initiative is part of the company’s ongoing commitment to empower its workforce with the skills to identify hazards, assess risks, and promote a safety-centric culture within the organization, guided by the THINK! acronym. The newly certified individuals were selected from various operational departments across Trident’s mining operations, reflecting the company’s holistic approach to… Read More Here