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Rio Tinto ups stake in Australia's second-biggest aluminium smelter

Published: 11 Jun 24

Commodities giant Rio Tinto will increase its interest Boyne Smelters (BSL), which owns and operates the Boyne Island aluminium smelter in Gladstone, Australia, to 73.5%. The company has agreed to acquire Mitsubishi’s 11.65% interest in BSL. This follows the recent agreement to acquire Sumitomo Chemical Company’s 2.46% interest in BSL.

Civil society coalition emphasises need for accountability, transparency, equity to achieve a ‘fair’ just transition

Published: 10 Jun 24

A coalition of civil society organisations from Indonesia, Senegal, South Africa and Vietnam on June 10 launched their ‘Principles for a Fair Just Energy Transition Partnership (JETP)’, which emphasises the integral need for accountability, transparency and equity in climate finance. International renewable energy advocacy organisation 350.org said the guiding principles were identified with the input of Global South communities.

TotalEnergies, Air Products hydrogen deal uplifts platinum demand outlook still further

Published: 10 Jun 24

A 15-year agreement involving the supply of an initial 70 000 t of green hydrogen a year has been signed by TotalEnergies and Air Products. TotalEnergies, which is active in some 120 countries and which cites sustainability as being at the heart of its strategy, is setting out to reduce the net greenhouse gas emissions from its oil and gas operations by 40% by 2030.

Botswana says it’s in talks about increasing stake in De Beers

Published: 10 Jun 24

Botswana said it’s in talks over increasing its shareholding in De Beers, as Anglo American prepares to end its almost century-long relationship with the iconic diamond producer. As part of a turnaround plan to fend off an approach from BHP Group, Anglo last month said it planned to sell or separate De Beers, in which it holds an 85% stake. The remainder is owned by Botswana, the southern African nation that holds the company’s biggest diamond mines.

Tom Albanese has been appointed chairperson

Nevada Copper files for bankruptcy, CEO steps down

Published: 10 Jun 24

US copper miner Nevada Copper on Monday announced that it had filed for bankruptcy protection under Chapter 11 of the US Bankruptcy Code. The company, which owns the Pumpkin Hollow mine, will not continue operations during the restructuring period.

Agriculture, mining remain growth areas for Omnia, despite difficult operating environment

Published: 10 Jun 24

JSE-listed chemicals group Omnia has reported a 10% decrease in operating profit to R1.7-billion for the financial year ended March 31, saying this reflected volatile market conditions and global economic strain. Net profit, however, increased by 1% to R1.16-billion, while earnings a share increased by 2% year-on-year to 705c.

Canadian miner one step closer to commercialise high-purity, EV-compliant manganese

Published: 10 Jun 24

TSX-V-listed Manganese X Energy’s high-purity manganese (HPMSM) sample has met US battery manufacturer C4V’s Phase 1 commercial level qualification compliance standards for the electric vehicle (EV) battery cathode and is moving to the next round of testing. "Achieving this milestone brings us one step closer to becoming the first publicly traded mining company in Canada and the US to commercialise high-purity, EV-compliant manganese,” said Manganese X CEO Martin Kepman.

Minerals Council South Africa CEO Mzila Mthenjane

Minerals Council calls for collaborative relationship among govt, labour, civil society and the private sector

Published: 10 Jun 24

As political parties discuss the way forward in establishing a government of national unity, the Minerals Council South Africa says it and its members are advocating for a constructive, collaborative and trusting relationship among government, labour, civil society and the private sector to continue dealing with the many challenges facing the country. The council notes that government and business groups, including the Minerals Council, have been collaborating for a year on efforts to deal with the energy, rail, road, port and crime and corruption crises facing the country, stating that this partnership between government and business was making a positive difference.

Petra, NUM sign five-year wage deal

Published: 10 Jun 24

Diamond miner Petra Diamonds and labour union the National Union of Mineworkers (NUM) have signed a five-year wage agreement covering Petra's South African operations for the period July 1, this year, to June 30, 2029. Employees in the A and B Paterson bands will receive a wage increase of 6.25% or Consumer Price Index (CPI), depending on which one is higher, for year one of the agreement.

Zambia sees KoBold spending $2.3bn on giant copper mine

Published: 10 Jun 24

KoBold Metals, the Bill Gates-backed mining exploration company, could spend $2.3-billion to build a major new copper mine in Zambia, President Hakainde Hichilema said, citing figures from the company. The firm aims to produce more than 300 000 metric tons per year at Mingomba — making it the country’s biggest such operation — and will begin sinking the mining shaft in the first half of 2026, according to company officials. Their meeting with Hichilema on Friday was broadcast over state television.