International - Copperbelt Katanga Mining

Mining companies likely to spend more on technology due to COVID-19

June 30, 2020June 30, 2020 Copperbelt Katanga News

The mining industry has been greatly impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic leading to the suspension of mining activities at a number of properties. Operations at more than 1,600 mines had been suspended globally in April 2020, according to GlobalData, a leading data and analytics provider. COVID-19 has highlighted the need for automation and introduction of new technologies in mining operations to effectively overcome disruptions to operations. Verdict has conducted a poll to assess whether mining companies will increase their technology spend due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Analysis of the results… Read More Here

Covid-19 Gold International

Gold price within sight of $1,800 as virus cases mount

June 29, 2020June 29, 2020 Copperbelt Katanga News

Gold prices remained stable on Monday, approaching their multi-year high reached last week as investors weigh the rise in US coronavirus cases against uncertain signs of economic improvement in some regions. Spot gold rose 0.1% to $ 1,772.53 an ounce at 12:45 p.m. ET, still in sight of $ 1,800 an ounce – a level most recently reached in late 2011. US gold futures remain largely unchanged, trading at $ 1,781 an ounce. “The current surge in coronavirus cases in most parts of the US has given the market momentum… Read More Here

Mining in DRC Gold International

AJN Resources to make Congolese gold investments shine

June 25, 2020June 25, 2020 Copperbelt Katanga News

Canada-listed junior miner AJN Resources dismissed an attempt to block the company’s plan to buy five gold projects in Democratic Republic of Congo and said the country needed it to bring value to the assets. Civil society groups on Thursday called on the President and Prime Minister to block a draft deal announced in early February, which cabinet meeting minutes showed last week is awaiting their approval. Under the deal, AJN Resources’ Congo unit would acquire stakes of between 30% and 35% in five gold projects in eastern Congo from… Read More Here

Mining technology International

BME: Blast planning new heights with BLASTMAP

June 23, 2020June 24, 2020 arnbethnic

As part of its continuous development of digital solutions, blasting specialist BME has further enhanced its BLASTMAP blast planning tool with an added burden relief timing module. “As an enabling tool for our well-accepted AXXIS electronic initiation system, BLASTMAP now has a powerful burden relief feature that gives the blaster better control over the shape and movement of the blasted rock muckpile,” says D. Scott Scovira, global manager: blasting science at BME. Scovira emphasises that burden relief is fundamental to good blast design, as a blaster needs to shape the muckpile… Read More Here

Mining safety International

ICMM paves the way for responsible mining practice

June 23, 2020June 23, 2020 arnbethnic

The International Council on Mining and Metals (ICMM) and its 27 mining and metals member companies proactively use mining as a catalyst for change by improving the lives of people in mining host communities. Now, during this unprecedented global crisis, the ICMM and its members are supporting local response efforts, working with community members and organisations in often remote locations to identify and help meet specific needs, Dr NICKY BLACK, director of the Social and Economic Development Programme tells CHANTELLE KOTZE. Led by Black, the ICMM’s social and economic development programme aims… Read More Here

Cobalt International

Tesla to buy cobalt from Glencore for EV plants

June 19, 2020June 19, 2020 Copperbelt Katanga News

Tesla Inc sets out to buy cobalt from Glencore. A person familiar with the matter announced that Tesla will buy cobalt from Glencoe Plc, the world’s biggest miner of the metal, as the carmaker looks to avoid a future supply squeeze on the key battery metal. The contract will help Tesla shore up its cobalt supply for new plants in China and Germany, added the person who asked that their identity remain confidential as the issue was private. The opening of Tesla’s so-called gigafactory in China has this year helped… Read More Here

Cobalt Battery Metals Economy International Mining in DRC

What Investors Should Know About Cobalt Supply Chains

June 8, 2020June 8, 2020 arnbethnic

Interest in the cobalt space surged in 2017 and 2018, when prices were going through the roof on the back of expected demand from the electric vehicle (EV) space. Cobalt is a key element in the lithium-ion batteries used to power EVs, and even though prices are far away from those highs, the long-term future of the metal is still quite bright. When looking at the cobalt supply chain, there are two countries that dominate. On the mining side, the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) takes the lead, with Benchmark Mineral Intelligence… Read More Here

International Mining technology

Lubrication misunderstood yet essential to mining

June 4, 2020June 4, 2020 arnbethnic

Lubrication is often the most misunderstood part of mining operations. However, it is one of the most important areas as it is essential to ensure mining equipment remains safe and fully operational. Take wire rope lubrication, for example. Traditional wire rope lubricants are toxic and difficult to apply, often requiring complex and hazardous processes just to prepare the lubricant. Furthermore, wire rope lubricants often fling off during use and drip onto floors and surfaces, causing health and safety risks. Poor-performing wire rope lubricants do not penetrate and lubricate to the… Read More Here

Mining technology International Lithium

Finland launches new battery metal traceability project amid Covid-19

June 4, 2020June 4, 2020 arnbethnic

VTT Technical Research Centre of Finland and the Geological Survey of Finland GTK have launched a new battery materials tracing platform, the Battrace project, aimed at enhancing sustainability in the mining industry. The Battrace project also focuses on the processes which metals undergo after being extracted from ore and refined into high-quality raw materials for battery material manufacturers. The total project’s budget is about €5.8m, €2.7m of which is allocated for research. The funding comes from Business Finland and its research partners, along with the following companies: Finnish Minerals Group,… Read More Here

International Events & Expos

Electra Mining Africa 2020 cancelled due to Covid-19

May 30, 2020May 30, 2020 arnbethnic

Specialised Exhibitions, a division of the Montgomery Group and organisers of Southern Africa’s leading mining, manufacturing, automation, electrical, and power trade exhibition, Electra Mining Africa, has announced that the 2020 show, due to take place from 7-11 September at the Expo Centre in Johannesburg, South Africa, has been cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The next edition of the show will be held from 5-9 September 2022 at the same venue. “Following the measures declared by the President of South Africa on Sunday the 15th of March when a national… Read More Here