Power Infrastructure is Paramount for Botswana’s Mining
Those aiming to invest in Botswana as a mining destination need to consider installing power lines and improving transport, says mining consultancy Core Consultants MD Lara Smith, who says the landlocked country faces significant infrastructure challenges that affect its mining sector. She tells Mining Weekly that TSX- and BSE-listed Hana Mining, a prospective copper producer […]
Conflict Minerals: Responsibility falls to the Ultimate End Users
The concept of conflict minerals is becoming increasingly topical. In particular, as cobalt scarcity increases, a closer eye is being kept on the cobalt supply chain and cobalt originating from the DRC’s artisinal miners. On the 19th of January, Amnesty International and Afterwatch broke the news of child labour being used in Huayou Cobalt and […]
Can Lithium Demand Continue Indefinitely?
To quote Robert Friedland at the 2016 121 Mining Convention held in Cape Town, “The lithium market will end in tears.” Lithium carbonate prices in China have surged by 253% over the last year alone. Forecasts for lithium prices exhibit uncapped exponential growth. Against this backdrop, Mr. Friedland’s sentiments seem completely misplaced. The main reason […]
China Shopping For Copper And Gold Assets
China Molybdenum (CMOC) has long earned its reputation as a highly acquisitive company. In 2015, it made its intentions known that it would pump around $2bn into acquiring mining assets outside of China. Traditionally a molybdenum and tungsten producer, CMOC has targeted copper in recent years, paying $820m for Rio Tinto’s Northparkes copper mine in […]
Electric Bikes Expected To Double This Year
Growth in the electric bike (e-bike) market is often sidelined with the focus being on the electric vehicle market. However, the e-bike market has been growing rapidly. With respect to battery consumption, in May this year the market is estimated at 38 million cells, which is expected to nearly double to 67 million cells by […]
Rare Earth Stockpiling Or Another False Start?
Core Consultants published its May edition of the Monthly Rare Earth Report. The main topics in this feature include: MIIT new production standards Commercial stockpiling due to commence Investment from other countries continues China’s Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT) intends to set new standards for domestic rare earth producers. At present this is still […]
BREAKING NEWS: Congress Signs Bill Prohibiting The Import Of Raw Materials Originating From Africa
On the 26th of February, the US Federal Reserve signed a bill prohibiting the import of key raw materials from African and selected other countries. This bill comes at a time when the US is trying to force end-users such as OEMs, telecommunication manufacturers and technology firms to take responsibility for the entire supply chains, ensuring […]
Cobalt, Bauxite, Lithium to Outperform in 2016
The annual 121 mining investment event commences in Cape Town next week.Core Consultants have been invited to participate in a panel discussion that considers the commodities which would outperform in 2016. This has forced our company to consider the current scenario and the opportunities that might exist in the resource space this year. Bottom line…. […]
Outlook for Commodity Markets in 2016
Where is the Growth?
Internet of Things and South Africa’s Mines
Presented at ELB Engineering’s Technology Day in 2015, the relevance of this presentation continues to this day. The presentation explores whether mechanisation, using the latest internet of things (IoT) technology could improve profitability of South Africa’s mines. Click to Download Presentation