Philippines Likely To Ban Export Of Nickel Ore, Says Consultancy
To take full advantage of its booming nickel production, there is internal pressure on the Philippines to encourage local beneficiation and ban the export of ore, says mining consultancy firm Core Consultants MD Lara Smith. She explains to Mining Weekly that the Philippines government released a White Paper in September 2014 to fast-track a […]
Botswana Still Auspicious Mining Jurisdiction
Having ranked consistently as one of the top mining jurisdictions in Africa, Botswana remains a popular mining destination for investment – despite current infrastructure challenges and the global economic downturn, mining consultancy Core Consultants MD Lara Smith tells Mining Weekly. She points out that the Fraser Institute Mining Policy Perception Index 2014 ranked the Southern […]
Several Challenges Hampering Investment In Africa
African mining is expected to remain depressed, says mining consultancy Core Consultants MD Lara Smith, who believes 2015 will be characterised by reduced commodity prices, weakened demand and an oversupply in most markets. Smith tells Mining Weekly that a price rebound is only expected in 2016 and that metal prices are expected to remain low […]
Commodity Focus: Update On The Iron Ore Market
The iron ore market is expected to be in surplus for the next few years and possibly even the next decade. A number of factors are expected to contribute to this surplus. These include: A number of Australian miners have indicated their intentions to expand production. This includes BHP which intends to increase its export capacity […]
Third Quarter 2014 Ferrochrome Market Summary
Stainless steel production in 3Q14 fell to 10.49m tonnes compared to 10.8m tonnes in 2Q14. The main reason for the lower output was due to the European summer which resulted in European production falling from 2.11m tonnes in 2Q14 to 1.78m tonnes in 3Q14. The European stainless steel industry is still pursuing plant closures in […]
European Ferrochrome Benchmark Settled At $1.15/lb
Dear Ferrochrome Subscribers Kindly note that the fourth quarter European HC-Ferrochrome benchmark was settled earlier than expected at $1.15/lb. This is 4c/lb lower than the previous quarter. Whilst this price is lower than we anticipated, we estimated a weaker settlement based on the following reasons: Cheap prices in Asia are capping prices: Despite the fact […]
Will Lithium-Ion Batteries Lose The Race?
Water, water, everywhere, nor any drop to drink’ sayeth the ancient mariner. The ocean might be contaminated, the fish still swallow the bait, drought might be spreading across the planet, yet who would have thought that it would take a vehicle to say ‘I can drink because man can think’. Scam artists have tried running vehicles […]
North West Platinum Progress Despite Challenges
JSE-listed junior platinum-group metals (PGMs) mining company Wesizwe Platinum is developing its fully funded Bakubung platinum mine project in the North West, which is a positive sign to investors that South Africa will remain a long-term supplier of platinum, argues independent mining consultancy Core Consultants MD Lara Smith. “Hopefully, the number of new North West […]
World’s Third Longest Strike Comes To An End
Today saw the long awaited wage agreements between Anglo American Platinum (Amplats), Lonmin and Impala Platinum (Implats) and the Association of Mineworkers and Construction Union (Amcu) signed, bringing an end to a five month strike action. The strike is estimated to have cost South Africa’s platinum industry an estimated R24bn in revenue and employees’ earnings […]
Five Red Flags Investors Look For When Choosing To Invest In Mining Projects
Recently we were asked to provide a presentation at the Botswana Resource Cap conference. Botswana has vast national resources, though many projects are starting up and in early phases of development. As such investment is critical if these projects are to come to fruition. We consider what investors look for when choosing to commit to […]