Zinc - Copperbelt Katanga Mining

Glencore pauses operations at McArthur River zinc and lead mine

March 22, 2024March 22, 2024 Constance

Swiss multinational commodity trading and mining company Glencore has suspended operations at the McArthur River zinc and lead mine in Australia due to heavy rainfall. The suspension could lead to a further tightening of the global zinc concentrate supply, which is crucial for the production of refined zinc. Located around 970km south-east of Darwin in Australia’s Northern Territory, the McArthur River mine includes an open-cut mine and processing facilities. The site experienced rainfall this week that surpassed the previous record set in 1974. Zinc and lead are mined and processed… Read More Here

Mining in DRC Zinc

Decline in Zinc Ore Production Hits Mining Sector in DRC

March 11, 2024March 11, 2024 Constance

Mining companies in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) have experienced a significant reduction in zinc ore production over the past two years, according to recent statistics from the Central Bank of Congo (BCC). The BCC’s report, released last week, indicates a notable decrease in zinc production, with only 11,287 tonnes produced in 2023. This marks a decline of 15.6% compared to the previous year, where production stood at 12,309 tonnes. Moreover, compared to 2021’s production of 16,079 tonnes, the drop is even more significant, estimated at around 29.8%. Despite… Read More Here

Mining in DRC Cobalt Copper Gold Zinc

DRC’s Mining Exports Drop on Global Markets

August 11, 2023August 11, 2023 Constance

The general trend of the main mining products exported from the Democratic Republic of Congo on international markets is downward during the period from August 7 to 12, 2023. According to projections by the National Commission of Mercurials of the Ministry of Foreign Trade, products such as tin, gold and tantalum should experience a drop in price this week. Tin is expected to trade at $28,671 per ton versus $28,820 per ton last week, down $148. As for gold, its price should be around 63.48 USD per gram this week… Read More Here

Mining in Zambia Zinc

Urgent Action Needed: Zambia’s Mine Site Demands Cleanup of Toxic Lead Waste

July 26, 2023July 26, 2023 Constance

The Zambian government should make comprehensive efforts to clean up the contaminated former lead mine in Kabwe, the capital of Zambia’s Central province, Environment Africa and Human Rights Watch said last week. The organizations released a video in which youth activists from Environment Africa describe life in a dangerously polluted town and actions needed to remedy the situation. Kabwe is one of the worst pollution hot spots in Africa because of contamination from a former lead and zinc mine. The mine was originally owned directly or indirectly by Anglo-American and other British colonial companies, later nationalized,… Read More Here

Mining in DRC Economy Zinc

DRC Records Impressive Zinc Production of 3,625.71 Tons in Q1 2023

July 14, 2023July 14, 2023 Constance

The mining industry in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) produced 3,625.71 tons of zinc ore during the period from January to March 2023. These figures were communicated by the Ministry of Mines. The source notes that the production sold, including exports and local sales to other entities for processing before export, amounted to 3,625.71 tons of zinc, the same quantity produced during the period under analysis. It should be noted that zinc ore production is up sharply in the first quarter of the current year compared to 2022. In… Read More Here

Mining in DRC Economy Zinc

Zinc is trading at USD 2,614.45 per tonne this week in DRC

May 31, 2023May 31, 2023 Constance

Of all the mining products exported from the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), only zinc is expected to experience a slight price increase this week on world markets. According to forecasts from the National Mercurial Commission of the Ministry of Foreign Trade, which covers the period from May 29 to June 3, 2023, zinc is expected to trade at 2,614.45 USD per ton this week against 2,520.30 USD per tonne last week, representing a slight price increase of around 94.15 USD. The same document from the Ministry of Foreign Trade… Read More Here

Mining in DRC Cobalt Copper Economy Zinc

copper, cobalt, zinc and tin prices red in DRC this week

May 24, 2023May 24, 2023 Constance

The economy of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) is expected to suffer a shock from the drop in the projected price of four mining products on international markets. These are mainly copper, cobalt, zinc and tin. According to projections by the National Commission for Market Prices, copper is expected to fall to USD 8,208.20 this week from USD 8,512.65 a week earlier, down around USD 304.45. Cobalt is expected to trade at USD 34,240.00 this week versus USD 34,246.00 last week, the same source notes. Zinc and tin are also… Read More Here

Mining in DRC Zinc

Ivanhoe’s 100% Off-take of Kipushi’s zinc concentrate, with US$250 million facility supported by Glencore

April 30, 2023May 1, 2023 Constance

KIPUSHI, DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF CONGO – Ivanhoe Mines Executive Co-Chair Robert Friedland and President Marna Cloete, together with Chairman Guy-Robert Lukama Nkunzi and General Manager Placide Nkala Basadilua of Gécamines, the Democratic Republic of Congo’s state-owned mining company, announced today the signing of an off-take and financing term sheet to return the historic Kipushi zinc-copper-lead-germanium mine to production. In addition, Ivanhoe is pleased to provide an update on construction activities for the restart of the ultra-high-grade zinc mine, which is on track for first concentrate in the third quarter of… Read More Here

Mining in DRC Zinc

Glencore to fund restart of world’s highest grade zinc Mine at Kipushi

April 28, 2023April 28, 2023 Constance

Glencore and Ivanhoe Mines have entered into off-take and financing agreements to restart Kipushi, the highest grade zinc mine in the world, located in the Democratic Republic of Congo. Glencore will fund the operation with a $250 million loan, repayable by 2028, and will take all of the mine’s zinc concentrate for five years. Kipushi, which is 68% owned by Ivanhoe and the remainder held by state-owned Gécamines, will mine a global-leading 36% zinc over the first five years of production. The mine, which is near the Zambian border in… Read More Here

Mining in DRC New Mining Projects Zinc

Ivanhoe Mines activity updates on Kipushi Zinc Mine in the DRC

March 22, 2023March 23, 2023 Constance

The Kipushi zinc-copper-germanium-silver-lead mine in the DRC is adjacent to the town of Kipushi, approximately 30 kilometres southwest of Lubumbashi on the Central African Copper Belt. Kipushi is approximately 250 kilometres southeast of the Kamoa-Kakula Copper Complex and less than one kilometre from the Zambian border. Ivanhoe acquired its 68% interest in the Kipushi Project in November 2011, through Kipushi Holding which is 100%-owned by Ivanhoe Mines. The balance of 32% in the Kipushi Project is held by the state-owned mining company, Gécamines. In Q1 2022, Kipushi Holding and Gécamines… Read More Here