International - Copperbelt Katanga Mining

Niger to Nationalize French-Operated Somair Uranium Mine Amid Regional Shift

June 20, 2025June 20, 2025 Constance

Niger has announced plans to nationalize the Somair uranium mine, currently operated by French state-owned company Orano, as tensions between the two parties escalate following the country’s 2023 military coup. The decision is part of a broader trend across West Africa, where governments are increasingly reclaiming control over natural resources. Recent nationalizations in Mali and Burkina Faso have raised concerns among international mining companies and investors with significant financial stakes in the region. In a statement issued late Thursday, the Nigerien government accused Orano of disproportionately benefiting from Somair’s uranium… Read More Here

International Copper

Signs of Progress Emerge for FQM’s Panama Mine Restart

June 20, 2025June 20, 2025 Constance

First Quantum Minerals is beginning to see promising developments for its shuttered copper mine in Panama, though the country’s president has cautioned that significant hurdles remain before a full restart is possible. The Canadian mining company has started preparing to ship approximately 120,000 metric tons of semi-processed copper that has remained stranded since the mine’s closure in late 2023, according to sources familiar with the situation. In a related move, Franco-Nevada — which holds a supply agreement with the mine — has agreed to suspend its arbitration case against Panama.… Read More Here

International Battery Metals Cobalt

Celsius Exits Opuwo Cobalt Project in Namibia to Prioritize Philippine Flagship

June 19, 2025June 19, 2025 Constance

Celsius Resources is moving forward with plans to divest its 95% interest in the Opuwo Cobalt Project in Namibia, as it sharpens its strategic focus on its flagship Maalinao-Caigutan-Biyog (MCB) Copper-Gold Project in the Philippines. The Opuwo Cobalt Project, one of the largest known cobalt deposits outside the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), is owned by the Opuwo Cobalt Group, in which Celsius holds a 95% stake. In March 2025, Celsius revalued the group’s assets at approximately USD 3.02 million. As of June 30, 2024, all assets under the… Read More Here

International Corporate News Tin

Andrada Mining Boosts Tin Production with High-Grade Goantagab Orebody in Namibia

June 19, 2025June 19, 2025 Constance

Andrada Mining, the operator of the Uis Tin Mine in Namibia, has secured a new source of high-grade tin feedstock from the Goantagab orebody, located in the Kunene Region. This strategic development is expected to significantly increase throughput and production capacity at the Uis facility, leveraging the Goantagab deposit’s historically high tin grades of up to 1.75%. The Goantagab deposit was extensively drilled by Gold Fields Namibia during the 1980s, establishing a non-JORC-compliant resource of over two million tonnes with an average tin grade of 0.95%. In addition, grab samples… Read More Here

International Energy Uranium

Morocco Launches $100 Million Uranium Extraction Project to Strengthen Energy Sovereignty

June 19, 2025June 19, 2025 Constance

In a bold move to enhance its strategic autonomy, Morocco has unveiled a $100 million investment by URANEXT, a state-owned company affiliated with the OCP Group (Office Chérifien des Phosphates). The project focuses on extracting uranium from phosphate deposits near Jorf Lasfar—locally known as Yellow Cliff—leveraging Morocco’s vast phosphate reserves to position the country as a key player in the global uranium industry. This initiative marks a transformative leap for Moroccan industry, shifting the traditional phosphate sector toward advanced resource extraction and technological innovation. Significantly, the project is fully funded… Read More Here

International Gold

Mali Begins Construction of Russia-Backed Gold Refinery to Assert Resource Sovereignty

June 19, 2025June 19, 2025 Constance

Mali has officially begun construction of a new gold refinery backed by Russia, a move the country’s military leadership says will strengthen national control over its vast natural resources. The facility, which will have a refining capacity of 200 tons per year, is being built in partnership with Russia’s Yadran Group and a Swiss investment firm. The Malian government will maintain a controlling stake in the project. Speaking at the groundbreaking ceremony in Senou, near the capital Bamako, interim President Colonel Assimi Goita emphasized that the refinery is a key… Read More Here

International Corporate News Gold

Mali Takes Control of Barrick’s Loulo-Gounkoto Gold Mine Amid Tax Dispute

June 17, 2025June 17, 2025 Constance

Canada’s Barrick Mining has lost control of its Loulo-Gounkoto gold complex in Mali after a local court appointed a provisional administrator to manage the site for six months. The decision, announced on Monday, escalates a long-standing conflict between Barrick and the Malian government over taxes and ownership. Former Malian health minister Soumana Makadji was named provisional administrator by the presiding judge. Barrick said it would appeal the decision and described the ruling as unjust. “Justice was neither heard, nor served,” said Issaka Keita, one of Barrick’s lawyers, speaking to Reuters.… Read More Here

International Gold

Burkina Faso Boosts Govt Stake in Gold Mining to Reclaim Resource Control

June 16, 2025June 16, 2025 Constance

Burkina Faso has officially increased the government’s free-carried equity stake in major gold mining projects from 10% to 15%, a move aimed at capturing greater value from the country’s most important natural resource. The change is part of the revised Mining Code adopted in August 2024, signaling a significant shift toward resource sovereignty. This reform impacts several high-profile mining projects, including Sanbrado, Kiaka, and Toega, all operated by Australia-listed West African Resources. The company confirmed its agreement to the new terms following negotiations with the Burkinabè government and other industry… Read More Here

International Gold

Tanzania and Burkina Faso Lead Africa’s Push for Gold Sovereignty

June 16, 2025June 16, 2025 Constance

Tanzania is intensifying efforts to reclaim control over its gold reserves by mandating that large-scale mining companies process and trade at least 20% of their production domestically. This bold move positions the East African nation among a growing number of African countries seeking to extract more value from natural resources and assert greater sovereignty over their mining sectors. The policy, which aligns with a similar gold legislation enacted in September 2024, is part of a broader shift toward resource nationalism. With global gold prices surging, governments are increasingly focused on… Read More Here

International Copper Corporate News

Sinomine Halts Tsumeb Smelter Operations Amid Global Copper Concentrate Shortage

June 15, 2025June 15, 2025 Constance

Sinomine Resource Group announced on Friday that it has temporarily suspended copper smelting operations at its Tsumeb facility in Namibia due to a global shortage of copper concentrate. The shortage comes amid a rapid increase in global smelting capacity, which has outpaced the supply of copper ore. The Tsumeb smelter, one of the few facilities worldwide capable of processing arsenic- and lead-rich copper concentrates, was acquired by Sinomine from Dundee Precious Metals in 2024. With an annual processing capacity of 240,000 metric tons, the plant has previously handled copper concentrate… Read More Here