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

(RTTNews.com) – BHP Billiton (BHP.AX, BLT.L, BBL, BHP) outlined its productivity agenda to capitalise on the next phase of the Asian growth cycle. The company said the commodities that would feed future China growth would require Australia’s resources industry to continue to improve its competitiveness. As China transitions to a more consumption based economy, the company expects that commodities supporting the production of food, energy and consumer goods will see more durable demand growth over an extended part of the economic development curve.

http://www.nasdaq.com/article/bhp-billiton-provides-update-on-next-phase-of-asian-growth-cycle—quick-facts-20131003-00013#ixzz2gkrjeKmt

PERTH (miningweekly.com) – Diversified major Rio Tinto has completed the first phase of the expansion of its Pilbara iron-ore operations, with the miner officially opening its Cape Lambert wharf B on Wednesday.

The wharf would assist in bringing Rio’s overall iron-ore capacity to 290-million tonnes a year, making it the largest iron-ore operation in Australia and the second largest in the world.

http://www.miningweekly.com/article/rio-launches-new-wharf-2013-10-02

“We expect a smaller decline next year but still a decline,” Schulz said.

Schulz said the downturn in the mining industry, which he describes as a part of a normal 10-yearbusiness cycle, started last year and has intensified this year. He said mining capex would bottom out towards the end of 2014 and begin to rise the following year.

The downturn has hit the demand for new mining equipment for both greenfield and existing mines.

http://www.reuters.com/article/2013/10/01/us-nordic-investment-flsmidth-idUSBRE9900MM20131001

Bonao, Dominican Republic.- Hundreds of workers of Xstrata Nickel’s Falcondo mine and their relatives held a candlelight vigil in front of the Fatima Church to demand  exploitation of Loma Miranda, declared a National Park by the Chamber of Deputies on Tuesday.

The protesters demand that the Government guarantee what they affirm are more than 2,500 jobs the mine would provide for residents of Bonao and La Vega (central). They said Falcondo has conducted the required study which ensures that the mine won’t harm the rivers in the long term.

http://www.dominicantoday.com/dr/economy/2013/10/2/49149/In-a-switch-hundreds-protest-for-Xstrata-Nickel-Dominican-Republic-mine

Barrick Gold, the world’s largest producer of the metal by sales, is in talks to sell more assets as it seeks to reduce operating costs and focus on its most efficient mines.

The company, which last month agreed to sell three Australian mines, is in talks about selling additional assets in the country, chief executive Jamie Sokalsky said at the Denver Gold Forum.

The Toronto-based company is mulling over the sale of other assets around the world and would consider a joint venture with US competitor Newmont Mining in Nevada to reduce costs.

http://www.smh.com.au/business/barrick-gold-in-talks-to-sell-off-smaller-australian-mines-20130925-2uei0.html#ixzz2g1kHtyQ4

KUALA LUMPUR, Sept 26 (Bernama) — Lynas Malaysia Sdn Bhd has target the first phase of its advanced materials plant in Kuantan, Pahang, to operate at full capacity by year-end.
Vice-President and Managing Director Datuk Mashal Ahmad said only then would the company begin to record positive returns as right now the plant was currently at a ramping up stage and production value was still negligible.
“Right now, we are producing only for customer certification test.
“Until we come to a stage where all this is settled, only then can we go full steam ahead and see changes in our revenue,” he told reporters after delivering a lecture on “Rare Earth: Towards a Greener Future” here Thursday.

http://www.bernama.com.my/bernama/v7/bu/newsbusiness.php?id=980787

(Reuters) – Indonesia’s PT Aneka Tambang (Antam) expects to export up to 50 percent more nickel ore this year at 10 million-12 million tonnes, a director at the state-controlled miner said.

Indonesia is the world’s top exporter of nickel ore, a key component of stainless steel, and exports have increased this year ahead of a planned 2014 ore export ban.

http://in.reuters.com/article/2013/09/26/indonesia-antam-nickel-idINL4N0HL18920130926

BELO HORIZONTE, Brazil–Global mining giant Anglo American PLC (AAL.LN) has taken a more positive view of its Brazilian phosphate and niobium businesses in recent months and believes the worst is over for its troubled iron-ore venture, Chief Executive Mark Cutifani said Tuesday.

The company continues looking for a partner in its $8.8 billion Minas-Rio project to mine iron ore in southeastern Brazil and transport it to port via a 525-kilometer pipeline. But Mr. Cutifani said it “will take some time before potential partners” are likely to feel comfortable buying into Minas-Rio, the investment budget of which has risen threefold and made the project a poster child for cost overruns in the mining industry.

http://online.wsj.com/article/BT-CO-20130924-709317.html