The East African Community is to receive $1.2bn from the World Bank to support infrastructure investment and improve competitiveness. The funds, which are being channelled through the World Bank’s International Finance Corporation and Multilateral Investment Guarantee Agency, will support projects through market-driven private financing and guarantees. It will contribute to investments the five nations of the EAC have planned over the next three to seven years, particularly projects to improve transport links and ports.

– See more at: http://www.publicfinanceinternational.org/news/2014/12/east-africa-to-receive-12bn-world-bank-infrastructure-boost/#sthash.KegqJOyC.dpuf

Vale wants to be prepared for an initial public offering of the unit, the company’s largest business after iron ore, CFO Luciano Siani said in an interview with Betty Liu on Bloomberg Television today. The nickel and copper unit may be worth between $30 billion and $35 billion, he said.

Read more at: http://www.businessweek.com/news/2014-12-02/vale-says-base-metals-unit-may-be-worth-up-to-35-billion

Dec 1 (Reuters) – Brazil’s Vale SA is considering listing part of its global base metals business, two sources with knowledge of the matter said on Monday, as the miner looks to fund capital projects amid a collapse in iron ore prices.

Read more at: http://www.reuters.com/article/2014/12/02/vale-ipo-basemetals-idUSL2N0TM04220141202

Russia-based Composite Holding Company and state-owned China Hi-Tech Group Corp (CHTC) have formed a strategic alliance to develop polymer composite materials for different sectors of industry in Russia and China. Both parties will reportedly invest over US$500 until 2025.

Read more at: http://www.reinforcedplastics.com/view/40778/china-russia-alliance-invests-in-carbon-fiber/

Engineer Walter Curlook was ‘Pied Piper of productivity’

As a metallurgist, engineer and manager who spent his entire career as an executive at Inco when it was the world’s largest nickel miner, he understood how to create wealth as well as share it. Dr. Curlook, who died on Oct. 3 in Toronto of a brain hemorrhage at the age of 85, held 14 patents for improvements to nickel refining and played a role in the establishment of a science centre, a college and a research facility for particle physics in Sudbury that has no equal in Canada.

Read more at: http://www.theglobeandmail.com/report-on-business/engineer-walter-curlook-was-pied-piper-of-productivity/article21663789/

http://www.innovationintextiles.com/advanced-engineering-uk-2014-achieves-record-number-of-participants/

SYDNEY, Nov 26 (Reuters) – BHP Billiton’s struggling Nickel West smelter in Australia lost out on a potential key supply source of nickel when rival Jinchuan Group of China signed a purchase agreement with an Australian miner.

Australia’s no. 3 nickel miner, Western Areas , on Wednesday said it reached a two-year agreement to supply Jinchuan with 26,000 tonnes of nickel concentrate following a competitive tender process that began in August.

Read more at: http://www.metal.com/newscontent/67270_bhp-misses-out-to-chinas-jinchuan-on-nickel-pact

“President Jokowi carries the hopes of Indonesians for inclusive growth and prosperity, but he recognizes the road ahead will not be easy”.

“President Jokowi announced that Indonesia is open for foreign direct investment, addressing lingering investor concerns about perceived increased nationalistic sentiment in the country”.

Glencore CEO Ivan Glasenberg’s dealmaking skills were clearly demonstrated during the Xstrata… er … “merger of equals”.

A merger between Glencore and Rio Tinto would combine the world’s second and fourth largest miner and knock BHP Billiton off its throne. And the estimated $160 billion deal would add chunks to Glasenberg’s already gigantic bank account.

Read more at: http://www.mining.com/analyst-glasenberg-could-grab-rio-by-way-of-china-74099/

Specialty materials company Allegheny Technologies Inc said Monday it has received an additional order for its nickel-based alloy plate to be used in a large oil & gas pipeline project. ATI previously announced that it had booked initial orders for this project. Shipments are scheduled to begin in late fourth quarter 2014 and continue through the first half of 2015.

Read more at: http://www.rttnews.com/2421290/allegheny-gets-addl-orders-for-nickel-based-alloy-plate-for-energy-project.aspx?type=corp