Copper - Copperbelt Katanga Mining

BHP Launches $10.8 Billion Investment to Sustain Copper Output in Chile

February 26, 2025February 26, 2025 Constance

BHP Group is set to begin a $10.8 billion investment program in Chile, starting with the modernization of an aging copper plant at its Escondida mine. The move comes as the world’s largest mining company battles declining ore quality while striving to maintain production levels. During a site visit on Tuesday, Chilean Finance Minister Mario Marcel joined BHP officials, who confirmed that the $2 billion-plus upgrade of the Escondida concentrator would soon enter environmental approval processes. While BHP’s long-term investment plans in Chile have been known, Tuesday’s announcement marks the… Read More Here

International Copper Corporate News

FQM Ramps Up Efforts to Reopen $10 Billion Cobre Panama Mine

February 26, 2025February 26, 2025 Constance

First Quantum Minerals and its workers and suppliers in Panama are intensifying efforts to restart operations at the $10 billion Cobre Panama copper mine, more than a year after its closure. The company has shifted from a low-profile approach to a more visible public relations campaign, including mass mine visits and public outreach events, according to Maru Galvez, Public Relations Manager for Cobre Panama. The strategy appears to be working, with a recent community survey showing 96% support for the government renegotiating the mine contract. Despite these efforts, First Quantum… Read More Here

Mining in Zambia Copper

Zambia Police Pledge Support to First Quantum Minerals in Kalumbila

February 23, 2025February 23, 2025 Constance

The North-Western Division of the Zambia Police has pledged continued support for First Quantum Minerals Limited (FQML) and its mining investments. This commitment was made during a courtesy visit to FQML’s operations in Kalumbila at the FQM Trident Limited site, which includes the Sentinel Copper and Enterprise Nickel Mines. The delegation, led by newly appointed Commissioner of Police Paul Achiume, included Deputy Commissioner Desmond Mwanza and Senior Assistant Commissioner Kennedy Mumbi. The visit aimed to familiarize the team with the operations of the mines. Upon arrival, the team was welcomed… Read More Here

Mining in Zambia Copper New Mining Projects

Tertiary Minerals Advances Deep Drilling at Konkola West Copper Project

February 23, 2025February 23, 2025 Constance

Aim-listed Tertiary Minerals has reported significant progress in drilling at its Konkola West copper project in Zambia, with hole KWDD001 now exceeding 2,600 meters in depth. The drill is currently advancing through the Kitwe Formation, which forms the upper part of the Lower Roan Subgroup, a key copper-bearing geological unit in the Zambian Copperbelt. The drill hole is currently in the Shale with Grit unit of the Kitwe Formation, which typically lies 25 m to 225 m above the Ore Shale, the primary copper-hosting layer in the Konkola area. The… Read More Here

Mining in DRC Cobalt Copper Corporate News

Ivanhoe Mines Issues 2024 Fourth Quarter and Annual Financial Results

February 23, 2025February 23, 2025 Constance

Ivanhoe Mines’ (TSX: IVN) (OTCQX: IVPAF) President Marna Cloete and Chief Financial Officer David van Heerden presented the company’s financial results for the fourth quarter and year ended December 31, 2024, and provide an operations and project development update. Ivanhoe Mines is a leading Canadian mining company developing and operating its four principal mining and exploration projects in Southern Africa: expanding production at the world-class Kamoa-Kakula Copper Complex in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC); ramping up the ultra-high-grade Kipushi zinc-copper-lead-germanium mine in the DRC; building the tier-one Platreef… Read More Here

Mining in Zambia Copper New Mining Projects

Barrick Files Technical Reports for Lumwana Expansion and Reko Diq Projects

February 21, 2025February 21, 2025 Constance

Barrick Gold Corp has filed technical reports for its Reko Diq and Lumwana Expansion projects in Pakistan and Zambia, respectively, outlining significant development and production growth plans. Barrick, which owns a 50% stake in Reko Diq and operates it through the Reko Diq Mining Company (RDMC), has completed a feasibility study detailing a phased development approach: The project includes two open-pit mines—Western Porphyries (main pit) and Tanjeel (satellite pit)—along with a processing plant and associated infrastructure. It will produce copper concentrate containing gold, which will be processed by third-party smelters.… Read More Here

Mining in DRC Cobalt Copper

Norinco Revises Bid for Chemaf’s Congo Mines, Offering Bigger State Stake

February 21, 2025February 21, 2025 Constance

China North Industries Corp (Norinco) has revised its $1.4 billion bid to acquire copper and cobalt assets from Chemaf SA by offering the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) a larger stake to ease government concerns, sources familiar with the matter told Reuters. Norinco’s offer, initially submitted in June 2023, stalled after Congo’s state miner, Gécamines, made its own unsolicited bid for the assets. The situation has been further complicated by U.S. efforts to curb China’s dominance in the mineral-rich Copperbelt. To push the deal forward, Norinco has proposed increasing… Read More Here

Mining in Zambia Copper New Mining Projects

Jubilee Metals Ramps Up High-Grade Copper Processing at Roan Facility

February 19, 2025February 19, 2025 Constance

Jubilee Metals Group (LON: JLP) has begun processing high-grade copper feed material at its Roan concentrator in Zambia, marking a key milestone in its operational strategy. The facility had previously relied on low-grade waste material for copper production. This development follows Jubilee’s recent agreement to secure an initial 200,000 tonnes of material with a copper content of approximately 1.6%—more than double the 0.7% grade of previously processed material at Roan. Payment for this high-grade material will be made through Jubilee’s Zambian operations, along with the issuance of $2.7 million worth… Read More Here

Mining in DRC Cobalt Copper Corporate News

Glencore Rejects Unsolicited Bid for DRC Operations

February 17, 2025February 17, 2025 Constance

Miner and commodity trader Glencore has confirmed that it rejected an unsolicited offer for its operations in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) at the end of last year. “Glencore has not engaged any banks or advisors and is not running a sale process for its operations in the DRC,” a company spokesperson stated in an email. Earlier, the Financial Times reported that Glencore had considered selling part or all of its Congolese assets and had engaged in preliminary discussions with a potential buyer from the Middle East regarding its… Read More Here

Mining in Zambia Copper Corporate News New Mining Projects

FQM’s Kansanshi S3 Expansion to Strengthen Growth and Financial Resilience

February 16, 2025February 16, 2025 Constance

First Quantum Minerals’ Kansanshi S3 Expansion project in Zambia marks a pivotal moment for the Canadian mining company, enhancing its financial resilience and driving future growth, CEO Tristan Pascall has stated. Reporting on the company’s fourth-quarter results, Pascall confirmed that the expansion remains on track for completion by mid-2025, with significant progress in construction and commissioning. By the end of 2024, construction of the process plant had reached 62% completion, with early commissioning already underway. System configuration for the plant’s control system was 80% complete, focusing on cleaner and reagent… Read More Here