Lithium - Copperbelt Katanga Mining

Tantalex Lithium Resources Corp Announces Production Milestone in DRC's TiTan Plant 1

Canadian company Tantalex Lithium Resources Corp, led by Eric Allard, has announced that its tin and tantalum plant, TiTan, based in the DRC, has produced its first batch of export-ready tin and tantalum concentrates. A first batch of 10 tonnes of tin concentrates (SnO2) has been fully processed at its Manono mining site. Additionally, 2.5 tonnes of tantalum concentrates (Ta2O5) have also been produced. All of TiTan’s production is sold under an operating agreement with AfriMet Resources Ag, a Swiss company based in Zug, founded by Hadley Natus in 2019,… Read More Here

Mining in DRC Battery Metals Lithium

Rwanda and Rio Tinto Strike Lithium Deal Despite DRC’s Reserves

February 25, 2024February 25, 2024 Constance

The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) ranks seventh among the 23 countries worldwide with proven lithium reserves, yet neighboring Rwanda, devoid of such reserves, has struck a deal with mining giant Rio Tinto for lithium exploration and exploitation. This move underscores a troubling trend of exploitation of Congo’s natural resources, exacerbated by the recent agreement between the European Union (EU) and Rwanda to develop value chains for critical raw materials, including those historically pillaged by armed groups linked to Rwanda. The urgency for Congo to safeguard its territory and resources… Read More Here

International Battery Metals Lithium

Glencore Plans Closure or Sale of Unprofitable Nickel Mines in New Caledoni

February 16, 2024February 16, 2024 Constance

Glencore’s joint venture, Koniambo Nickel SAS (KNS), in New Caledonia, is set to transition into care and maintenance due to high operating costs and weak nickel market conditions, the company announced on Monday. Acquired as part of Glencore’s 2013 Xstrata transaction, KNS has struggled with profitability despite efforts by the French government to support the nickel industry in New Caledonia. Glencore expressed gratitude for the government’s initiatives but stated that KNS remained unsustainable, and funding further losses was not justifiable for its shareholders. The company plans to seek a new… Read More Here

International Battery Metals Lithium

Premier African Minerals Secures Funding for Zulu Lithium and Tantalum Project

February 16, 2024February 16, 2024 Constance

Aim-listed Premier African Minerals has announced plans to raise £2.48 million to advance its Zulu lithium and tantalum project. The funds will be utilized for direct operating expenses at Zulu, including final payments for equipment, mining costs, and day-to-day operations. CEO George Roach emphasized the importance of this funding, stating that it ensures the startup of plant operations at Zulu. The company remains focused on its objective and targets to commence production by next week, pending suppliers meeting their obligations. Premier has expanded its mining operations to optimize ore delivery… Read More Here

Mining in Zambia Battery Metals Cobalt Copper Lithium New Mining Projects Nickel

ZCCM-IH and Kobold Mingomba JV Unveils Zambia’s Biggest Copper Find in a Century

February 6, 2024February 6, 2024 Constance

Yesterday, Joint venture partners ZCCM-IH and KoBold Metals, a Silicon Valley company using artificial intelligence to discover critical minerals for the electric vehicle and renewable energy revolutions, discussed the details of their recent copper discovery at the Mingomba deposit.“ZCCM-IH’s goal is to ensure that Zambia’s finite mineral resources are optimized and benefit the people of Zambia,” said ZCCM-IH Board Chair Mr. Kakenenwa Muyangwa. “ZCCM-IH is proud to be an active investor partnering with Kobold Metals in the Mingomba Deposit, which is well-positioned to help create new jobs, bring significant new… Read More Here

Battery Metals Cobalt International Lithium Mining Personality

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

Battery Metals Cobalt Copper Lithium Mining Projects

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

Lithium Battery Metals Mining in DRC Mining in Zambia

Billionaires’ Backed KoBold Metals on Global Hunt for Lithium

December 15, 2023December 15, 2023 Constance

KoBold Metals, with endorsements from figures like Bill Gates and Jeff Bezos, ventures across four continents in pursuit of lithium reserves. The California-based startup, employing AI-driven exploration methods, expands its search for this vital metal—integral to electric vehicles and cutting-edge technology. CEO Kurt House revealed KoBold’s endeavor to uncover lithium in South Korea, Canada (Quebec), the United States, Australia, and Africa. The company, previously focused on nickel and copper, now adds lithium to its mining interests following successful explorations in Canada and Zambia. “By harnessing the insights from our lithium… Read More Here

Lithium Battery Metals Mining in DRC Mining Projects

DRC: lithium prices fall by almost 90%, what is the future of the Manono lithium project?

December 10, 2023December 10, 2023 Constance

The drop in lithium carbonate futures below US$10,000 per tonne has raised concerns in the market, particularly after the metal reached an impressive US$70,000 per tonne at a point in 2022. This decrease in value has significantly impacted the once-prominent Manono lithium project, rendering it unviable for further development. The Australian company AVZ, responsible for the project, has faced the fallout, bearing the weight of the irreparable losses incurred by the State of the DRC and the public company Cominière. To illustrate the severity of the situation, a comparison is… Read More Here

International Battery Metals Lithium

Zimbabwe Sets Deadline for Local Lithium Production Plans

December 4, 2023December 4, 2023 Constance

Zimbabwe has issued a directive for lithium miners to submit plans for the in-country production of battery-grade lithium by March 2024, aiming to tap into the increasing demand for this vital mineral in the clean energy sector, announced Finance Minister Mthuli Ncube last week. In a bid to retain control over lithium resources, the country, Africa’s leading lithium producer, imposed a ban on lithium ore exports last year and introduced a 5% export tax on concentrates. Lithium, essential for electric vehicle batteries and renewable energy storage, has emerged as Zimbabwe’s… Read More Here