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

#Freeport-#McMoRan Inc. agreed to sell its #Copper and #Cobalt mine in the Democratic Republic of #Congo to #China #Molybdenum Co. for $2.65 billion.

A new report from #Macquarie Capital Ltd. underscores the strategic nature of the proposed acquisition, with China’s interest in the second metal — cobalt, a key ingredient for rechargeable car batteries that China is leaning on both to reduce pollution and modernize its manufacturing sector, — lying at the heart of the deal. As the country seeks to modernize its economy and pivot away from traditional, pollution-heavy industries the need for niche materials becomes more pressing, and China is striking deals to take control of fragile commodity supply chains that stretch around the world.

Read more at: http://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2016-05-31/china-s-supply-chain-scramble-now-comes-with-added-commodities

#China will safeguard the interests of its #Steel producers by appealing to the World Trade Organization after the #UnitedStates launched an investigation of #Chinese companies for alleged price-fixing, the Ministry of Commerce said.

Read more at: http://www.chinapost.com.tw/china/china-business/2016/05/29/467600/US-steel.htm

The world’s top thermal #Coal exporter, #Indonesia, expects its coal production to edge down in 2017, as smaller miners cut output due to a plunge in prices for the commodity.

Read more at: http://in.reuters.com/article/indonesia-coal-output-idINL4N18R1SC

While long coveted for use in jewelry, coins and utensils, #Silver is increasingly in demand for its industrial applications. Last year, about half of global silver consumption came from such use, including mobile phones, flat-panel TVs, #Solar panels and alloys and solders, according to data compiled by GFMS for the #Washington-based Silver Institute.

Read more at: http://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2016-05-26/miner-sees-silver-price-surging-ninefold-as-global-gadgets-boom

Rising popularity of #ElectricVehicles will drive #Lithium demand and push more producers into this space. Read more at: https://www.msn.com/en-us/money/videos/is-lithium-the-new-white-gold/vi-BBtrS77

#Codelco could have a new plant for treating high-#Arsenic #Copper concentrates ramping up by 2019, as it seeks to meet its customers’ needs and #Chile’s increasingly strict environmental requirements.

Read more at: https://www.metalbulletin.com/Article/3556288/Metals/Codelco-studies-new-autoclave-plant-to-treat-high-arsenic-copper-concentrates.html

#Chilean miners at one of the world’s biggest open-pit mines will soon be digging for #Copper underground, in a move to extend the life of the century-old site for 40 years.

Read more at: http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/business/international-business/Giant-open-pit-Chilean-copper-mine-moves-underground/articleshow/52364373.cms

As of last year, #Chile held 54 percent of the world’s known #Lithium reserves, almost all of it in brine held in the vast salt flats of the #Atacama desert. For now though, it’s neighboring #Argentina that looks to be moving faster to capture surging demand, rather than the normally investor-friendly Chile.

Read more at: http://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2016-05-19/richest-lithium-nation-risks-being-left-behind-in-tesla-led-boom

Read more at: https://www.technologyreview.com/s/601482/peek-inside-tri-alpha-energy-a-company-pursuing-the-ideal-power-source/

#RioTinto approves development of #OyuTolgoi underground mine. Development of underground mine will start in mid-2016 following approval of a $5.3 billion investment by partners and recent granting of all necessary permits

Read more at: http://www.reuters.com/article/idUSFWN1821AQ