A Blog for Browsing Mining, Mineral Processing, and Metals Info

Strikes in South African mean global platinum supplies may fall short of demand this year, according to OAO GMK Norilsk Nickel, Russia’s nickel and platinum producer.

http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2012-09-13/platinum-deficit-to-last-on-africa-strikes-norilsk-nickel-says.html?goback=%2Egde_2400638_member_163094225

ASTM International and the Minerals, Metals, and Materials Society are holding a workshop on exploring rare earth mineral standardisation on 9 October 2012, from 9 am to 12pm in Pittsburgh, Pensylvania.

http://www.metal-powder.net/view/28158/workshop-on-exploring-rare-earth-mineral-standardisation/

Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU) researchers report they have patented and are commercializing gallium arsenide (GaAs) nanowires grown on graphene, a hybrid material with competitive properties.

http://www.rdmag.com/News/2012/09/Materials-Nanotechnology-Norway-scientists-commercialize-semiconductors-grown-on-graphene/

The new CEO of the world’s largest precious metals miner is optimistic about the outlook for gold prices, saying, “Gold could definitely surpass previous highs and go above $2,000 and even higher in the next year.”

http://www.cnbc.com/id/48988807

India will soon foray into rare earths mining as it targets to open by December its 10,000 tonnes capacity monazite processing plant in the eastern state of Odisha.

http://www.ibtimes.com/articles/382811/20120911/india-rare-earths-monazite-neodymium-manufacturing.htm?fs=d674d

VSMPO-Avisma Corporation, the world’s largest titanium manufacturer, said it was looking at working on several projects with Indian partners. The Verkhnyaya Salda-based company recently hosted an Indian delegation that visited the mechanical processing unit, the forging complex the seamed tubes production unit.

http://indrus.in/articles/2012/09/10/russian_titanium_giant_vsmpo-avisma_eyes_india_projects_17555.html

VENTURES AFRICA – British-Australian international mining group Rio Tinto has acquired 37 percent shareholding in a sand mining and mineral processing project in South Africa from Australian group BHP Billiton for $1.91 billion.

http://www.ventures-africa.com/2012/09/rio-tinto-doubles-stake-in-south-africa-titanium-project-in-1-91bn-deal-with-bhp-billiton/

African Consolidated Resources (ACR) has completed due diligence at its the Nkombwa Hills rare-earth project, in Zambia, subject to the confirmation of tenure.

http://www.miningweekly.com/article/due-diligence-on-zambia-rare-earths-project-completed-2012-09-10

(Reuters) – Copper hit a four-month high on Monday as hopes for more policy easing in the United States prevailed and as weak copper and other commodity imports in China, coupled with weak factory activity, reinforced prospects for more stimulus measures there.

http://www.reuters.com/article/2012/09/10/us-markets-metals-idUSBRE88903A20120910