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Drilling confirms proof of concept at African Pioneer, FQM’s Zambia JV

Published: 16 Apr 24

Exploration and development company African Pioneer has provided an update on exploration conducted and funded by First Quantum Minerals (FQM) during the six-month period to December 31 over licences in Zambia, with drilling confirming proof of concept that licences are in the right lithology confirming Congo-style mineralisation. The licences are within both the fold and thrust belt and Western Foreland, and are covered by the option agreement entered into by African Pioneer and FQM and which are held by African Pioneer’s 80%-owned subsidiary African Pioneer Zambia.

Shanta reveals ‘encouraging results’ for West Kenya exploration project

Published: 16 Apr 24

Aim-listed gold producer Shanta Gold has revealed “encouraging results” in an exploration update for the West Kenya project, in Kenya, for the fourth quarter of last year and the first quarter of this year. “At Ramula, the 2 911 m of assays reported today should allow us to convert inferred resources to indicated category resources. Results from the 1 886 m of assays at our early-mid-stage targets at both Miruka and Anomaly 22 have demonstrated economic range mineralisation, confirming the continuity of the mineralisation," Shanta CEO Eric Zurrin said on April 16.

GSSA to host West Coast Diamonds event, excursion in May

Published: 16 Apr 24

The Geological Society of South Africa’s (GSSA’s) Northern Cape branch will host a West Coast Diamonds event and excursion on May 17 and 18, in the Northern Cape. The event will be hosted at the Country Club Lodge, in Port Nolloth, and feature speakers from Paleostone Mineral Consultants and Mining, the University of Stellenbosch, Trigon Adamas and Namdeb Diamond Corporation.

Australia to establish EPA as part of environmental law reforms

Published: 16 Apr 24

In a move to bolster environmental protection measures, Environment Minister Tanya Plibersek announced on Tuesday the establishment of an Environment Protection Agency (EPA) as part of the Albanese government’s Nature Positive Plan. In tandem with the EPA establishment, the government will also launch a new body designed to enhance access to environmental data for businesses and has committed to expediting environmental approval decisions on projects through a A$100-million investment.

An image showing uranium at the Tiris project in Mauritania

Aura, Curzon agree to restructure Tiris offtake agreement

Published: 16 Apr 24

Aim- and ASX-listed Aura Energy and uranium trader and investor Curzon Uranium have agreed to restructure their uranium offtake agreement, materially increasing the price receivable for planned uranium production and releasing significant value for Aura’s Tiris uranium project, in Mauritania. The average fixed-price contract price increases by 70% to $74.75/lb of uranium ore concentrate (U3O8) from $44.09/lb of U3O8, subject to a final investment decision being made by March 31, 2025.

Marula awarded trading licence for manganese mined in Kenya

Published: 16 Apr 24

Battery metals miner Marula Mining’s Kenyan representative company has been awarded a mineral dealer’s trading licence, granting it the right to buy, sell and export manganese ores. Marula considers the granting of the licence as an important step in the investment of the Larisoro manganese mine, in Kenya.

Odds-on entry of palladium, platinum into EVs highlighted by research update

Published: 16 Apr 24

New York- and Toronto-listed Platinum Group Metals, which is emerging in South Africa’s Waterberg, on Tuesday provided an update on its new light battery technology that points to increasing potential of palladium and platinum playing a key energy density and weight-lowering role in cumbersome battery electric vehicles (BEVs), where they currently play no part. Amid the market development of platinum group metals (PGMs) being collectively emphasised by South Africa’s PGMs mining industry in unprecedented fashion, Platinum Group Metals restated its goal of this year creating prototypes for commercialisation consideration this year.

Global mining investment too low to support energy transition, Rio Tinto chairman says

Published: 16 Apr 24

Low rates of investment in the global mining sector have put the global energy transition at risk, widening the supply gap in critical minerals like copper, Rio Tinto chairman Dominic Barton said on Monday. "The gap is humungous, and I am actually very worried about whether we will be able to close (it)," Barton said via video link at the Ecosperity conference in Singapore.

China's March coal output slumps on high stockpiles, lower demand

Published: 16 Apr 24

China's coal output fell 4.2% in March, statistics bureau data showed on Tuesday, as miners cut back production on lower demand from power generators and ample inventories of the fuel limited stockpiling. China produced 399.33-million metric tons of coal last month, the National Bureau of Statistics said on Tuesday. That brought output in the first quarter of the year to 1.11-billion tons, down 4.1% compared with the same period last year.

New World raises cash for Arizona copper project

Published: 16 Apr 24

Australia-listed New World Resources has received firm commitments to raise about A$20.4-million to advance its Antler copper project, in Arizona, US, towards development and production. The placement was completed at A$0.36 a share, an 18.2% discount to the company’s last closing price on the ASX and a 17.5% discount to the 15-trading day volume-weighted average trading price.