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Investment in certain minerals, notably copper and lithium, is falling short of what was required for transition to net-zero energy system

Today’s well-supplied market for critical minerals ‘may not be a good guide for future’

Published: 17 May 24

A new International Energy Agency (IEA) report describes the sharp decline in critical mineral prices over the past year as a double-edged sword, cautioning that, while it has been a boon for clean energy deployment and affordability, it is a bane for critical mineral investment and diversification. The ‘Global Critical Minerals Outlook 2024’ highlights that, following two years of dramatic increases, the prices of critical minerals fell steeply in 2023, returning to levels last seen before the pandemic.

Share sales rebound 98% in Toronto as copper, gold prices surge

Published: 17 May 24

After a miserable year for share sales, Canada’s largest exchange is seeing a rebound thanks to mining firms raising capital as copper and gold prices have spiked. The volume of total financings on the Toronto Stock Exchange jumped 98% in the first four months of the year to C$4.9-billion from C$2.5-billion, according to data from exchange operator TMX Group, representing a sharp increase after an historically bleak year for equity market financing activity on Canada’s largest exchange.

Cosmos steps into uranium with Nunavut acquisition

Published: 17 May 24

ASX-listed critical minerals company Cosmos Exploration on Friday announced its move into uranium with the acquisition of an 80% interest in the Fenix project, in Canada. The 162.7 km2 project is located in the emerging mining district of the Thelon basin, in Nunavut.

Poseidon restarts Lake Johnston exploration after sales process ends

Published: 17 May 24

ASX-listed Poseidon Nickel is getting back to exploration at the Lake Johnston project, in Western Australia, following a four-month hiatus while focusing on a sales process. Now that the heads of agreement to sell Lake Johnston to fellow listed Mineral Resources (MinRes) was terminated by the prospective buyer, Poseidon has restarted field activities.

AIC secures mining lease for Jericho, sets pathway for expanding Eloise copper output

Published: 17 May 24

The Queensland government has granted AIC Mines a mining lease for the Jericho copper mine, paving the way for surface works to get under way in preparation for mining. Development of Jericho will transform the Eloise mine, near Cloncurry, into a cornerstone asset for AIC Mines, providing a pathway to expanding production to 20 000 t/y of copper and 10 000 oz/y of gold in concentrate.

Muddy Waters will not compensate its nominees on Canadian miner Mayfair as shareholder vote looms

Published: 17 May 24

hort seller Muddy Waters Capital said on Thursday that none of its newly proposed directors for Canadian miner Mayfair Gold's board will receive any remuneration, in contrast to what it called the "inappropriate compensation" earned by the company's existing directors. Muddy Waters is seeking to replace Mayfair Gold's current board and replace its members with Muddy Water executives, saying the board was delaying the advancement of its key Fenn-Gib gold project and calling out the company's compensation structure.

US to offer up to $3.4bn for nuclear fuel makers in June

Published: 17 May 24

The US plans to start soliciting bids worth as much as $3.4-billion to buy domestically produced nuclear reactor fuel as soon as next month, according to a government notice. The funding includes $2.7-billion requested by the White House as part of a broader plan to help restart the domestic nuclear fuel production industry through direct purchases of the low-enriched uranium used in reactors. The government aid was unlocked after President Joe Biden signed a ban on imports of enriched uranium from Russia, which provides about a quarter of the reactor fuel in the US, making it the nation’s top supplier.

Biden open to easing sanctions on billionaire Gertler in return for Congo exit

Published: 17 May 24

The US government is open to easing sanctions on billionaire mining magnate Dan Gertler if he gives up his business operations and assets in the Democratic Republic of Congo, where Washington’s interest in critical minerals has run up against his problematic royalties ownership. The Treasury Department is willing to grant limited sanctions relief to Gertler, an Israeli citizen, as a way to incentivize his complete exit from Congo, including relinquishing his royalty streams on three strategic projects, according to two US officials, who asked not to be identified as the talks are ongoing.

Polyhalite produced at Anglo American's Woodsmith mine

Anglo American has sought fertiliser partners for months, says CEO

Published: 17 May 24

Anglo American has been looking for partners for its fertiliser project in North Yorkshire for around six months, CE Duncan Wanblad told Reuters, reiterating the business will be one of three pillars of the revamped miner, even as work there stalls. The London-listed miner outlined a radical plan on Tuesday to shrink by divesting less profitable coal, nickel, diamond and platinum businesses, as it moves to fend off BHP Group's $43-billion takeover offer.

Chile's Cochilco raises 2024, 2025 copper price estimates

Published: 17 May 24

The Chilean Copper Commission (Cochilco) on Thursday raised its average copper price estimates for both this year and next. Cochilco now sees average copper prices this year at $4.30/lb, from $3.85/lb before. For next year, Cochilco estimates average copper prices around $4.25/lb, up from $3.90/lb before.