News in Brief - Copperbelt Katanga Mining

China Lithium Prices Surge as Zimbabwe Suspends Raw Mineral Exports

February 26, 2026February 26, 2026 Constance0 comment

Zimbabwe Halts Lithium Exports, Driving China Lithium Carbonate Prices Higher Amid Energy Storage Demand China’s lithium prices jumped sharply on Thursday after Zimbabwe suspended exports of all raw minerals and lithium concentrates, raising concerns about potential supply disruptions amid booming energy storage demand. The most actively traded lithium carbonate contract on the Guangzhou Futures Exchange surged 6.07% to 178,020 yuan ($26,043.45) per metric ton as of 03:30 GMT, after earlier spiking over 9% to 187,700 yuan. Zimbabwe, Africa’s largest lithium producer, exported 1.128 million tons of spodumene concentrate in 2025… Read More Here

International Corporate News News in Brief Safety & Health

Fatal Incident at SimFer Project Halts Operations in Guinea

February 15, 2026February 15, 2026 Constance0 comment

Contractor Fatality at Rio Tinto’s SimFer Iron Ore Project Suspends Operations in Guinea A contract worker died on Saturday following an incident at the SimFer iron ore project in Nzérékoré, Guinea, according to a statement issued by Rio Tinto. The company did not disclose specific details regarding the circumstances of the incident. All operations at the SimFer site have been suspended pending further review. The temporary shutdown is intended to ensure site safety and support the ongoing investigation. Rio Tinto confirmed that an internal investigation is underway to determine the… Read More Here

Mining in DRC Cobalt News in Brief

DRC Removes 13,587 Children from Cobalt Mines, Reinforces School Integration

January 29, 2026January 29, 2026 Constance

DRC Announces Major Milestone: Over 13,500 Children Withdrawn from Cobalt Mines and Enrolled in Schools On the sidelines of the World Economic Forum, the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) announced a major achievement in combating child labor. A total of 13,587 children have been removed from cobalt mines and successfully reintegrated into the school system, according to Richie Lontulungu, Deputy Technical Secretary of the National Human Rights Commission (CNDH). “The Davos audience welcomed the news that 13,587 children were withdrawn from cobalt mines through the Project to Support the Alternative… Read More Here

Mining in Zambia Copper Corporate News Gold News in Brief Technology & Innovation

Barrick Selects Metso Flotation Technology for Lumwana Expansion

January 23, 2026January 27, 2026 Constance

Barrick Chooses Metso’s Concorde Cell Flotation Technology for Lumwana Copper Expansion in Zambia Global gold and copper producer Barrick Mining Corporation has selected Metso’s Concorde Cell flotation technology for its Lumwana copper mine expansion project in Zambia. The Concorde Cell flotation cells will be deployed alongside Metso’s TankCell technology, which Barrick had previously chosen for the project. The combined solution is expected to optimise the processing flowsheet and enhance overall metallurgical performance. Metso said its high-intensity Concorde Cell technology is specifically designed to treat complex orebodies, delivering improved efficiency and… Read More Here

Mining in Zambia Copper Corporate News News in Brief

KCM Achieves RMAP Conformance at Nkana Refinery

January 18, 2026January 18, 2026 Constance

KCM’s Nkana Refinery Earns RMAP Conformance, Strengthening Zambia’s Responsible Copper Supply Konkola Copper Mines (KCM) has recorded a major milestone in its drive for operational excellence and global market competitiveness following the successful completion of the Responsible Mineral Assurance Process (RMAP) assessment at the Nkana Copper Refinery. The assessment, conducted from 29 to 30 September 2025, was completed with no corrective actions required, according to the initial draft report. This marks a significant improvement from the 2023 audit, which resulted in the loss of the refinery’s London Metal Exchange (LME)… Read More Here

Copper International News in Brief

Chile Forecasts Stable Copper Production in 2026, Says Sonami

January 13, 2026January 13, 2026 Constance

Chile Copper Output Expected at Up to 5.7 Million Tons in 2026 as Prices Forecast at $4.50 per Pound Chile’s copper production is projected to range between 5.5 million and 5.7 million metric tons in 2026, according to the country’s national mining association, Sonami. The association, which represents Chile’s mining companies, also forecast an average copper price of $4.50 per pound for the year. The outlook reflects expectations of steady global demand and continued operational stability across the sector. Chile remains the world’s largest copper producer, with the metal playing… Read More Here

Mining in Zambia News in Brief

Zambia’s Aerial Mineral Mapping Survey Hits 55% Completion

January 10, 2026January 12, 2026 Constance

Zambia Aerial Mineral Mapping Survey Progress Reaches 55%, Copperbelt Zone Nears Completion Zambia’s Aerial Mineral Mapping Survey has reached 55 per cent completion, marking a significant milestone in the country’s efforts to advance mineral exploration. Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Mines and Minerals Development, Hapenga Kabeta, confirmed that Zone B, which primarily covers the Copperbelt region, is nearing completion. “The government remains committed to providing all necessary support to ensure the survey is successfully completed,” Dr. Kabeta stated. A more detailed update will be provided by the Minister of… Read More Here

Mining Personality Corporate News Mining in DRC News in Brief

Alphamin Resources Director Paul Baloyi Steps Down

January 7, 2026January 7, 2026 Constance

Alphamin Resources Director Resigns After Six Years on Board AltX- and TSX-V-listed Alphamin Resources has announced that Paul Baloyi will resign from the company’s board of directors, effective January 31, 2026. Baloyi has served on Alphamin’s board since April 2017 as a representative of the Industrial Development Corporation of South Africa. In a statement released on January 5, the company expressed its appreciation: “The board of directors wishes to thank him for his contributions to Alphamin during his tenure.” Alphamin Resources owns and operates the Mpama North and South tin… Read More Here

Mining in DRC News in Brief Partnership

DRC Strengthens Mining Partnerships with Vietnamese Investment Group Vingroup

January 2, 2026January 2, 2026 Constance

DRC Mining Sector: Minister of Mines Meets Vingroup to Discuss Strategic Iron Ore Investments His Excellency Mr. Louis Watum Kabamba, Minister of Mines of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), received in audience on Tuesday, December 30, 2025, the Chief Executive Officer of Vingroup, a major Vietnamese conglomerate expressing strong interest in investing in the Congolese mining sector. Discussions focused primarily on large-scale, structuring projects in the iron ore sector, to be developed in partnership with the Congolese Government. These projects aim to promote value creation and generate sustainable… Read More Here

Mining in Zambia Copper News in Brief

Luanshya Copper Mine Poised for Revival After CNMC Completes Dewatering of 28 Shaft

December 28, 2025December 29, 2025 Constance

CNMC Luanshya Copper Mine Completes Dewatering, Sets Stage for Production Restart CNMC Luanshya Copper Mine has successfully completed the dewatering of the flooded 28 Shaft, removing approximately 170 million cubic metres of water and marking a major milestone toward the resumption of mining activities. Following the completion of the dewatering process, the mine is expected to restart operations on a gradual basis, with full-scale production targeted for August 2026. Luanshya District Commissioner Paul Malele confirmed the development, noting that only minor works remain before underground mining can resume. These include… Read More Here