Mineral Resources





Fossil Fuels

South Korea places critical minerals and energy at the forefront of the inaugural Central Asia Summit

The first South Korean summit between the leaders of Central Asian countries and President Lee Jae Myung took place on Wednesday. Seoul is focusing its efforts to strengthen ties with this resource-rich area by promoting cooperation in the areas of minerals, energy, and supply chains. The summit was attended by the leaders of Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan Turkmenistan Kyrgyzstan Tajikistan. It concluded three days of bilateral discussions that resulted in more than 70 agreements, memorandums and understandings spanning energy, mines, infrastructure, technology, and investment. Lee, speaking at a forum for business after the summit, said that South Korea wanted to extend cooperation...




Asia

North America

Mineral Resources

Tata Sons' rift with India's Tata Group has seen the market value of Tata Group companies drop by $3.2 billion.

Investors have reacted negatively to the uncertainty surrounding the listing of Tata Sons and its leadership following a public disagreement. The sale came just a day after the board of Tata Sons moved to comply with Reserve Bank of India regulations that could force the holding company, Tata Sons, to list. They also extended Chairman N. Chandrasekaran’s term by 5 years. The move follows a growing disagreement between Tata Sons, the Indian conglomerate's largest shareholder, and Tata Trusts over "aspects of governance" and "succession planning". Calculations based on LSEG show that by 10:45 a.m. Friday, the market value of listed...

Mineral Resources

US invests heavily in uranium in Niger two years after troops departed

According to the developer of the project, the US government approved $414 million in financing for an uranium?project?in Niger. This is a victory for Washington, two years after that nation's expulsion of all US forces. According to a statement released by Global Atomic on Wednesday, the US Development Finance Corp has approved the debt facility of the Dasa project in Africa. The company calls it the highest-grade deposit of uranium in Africa. The investment could boost US access to strategic uranium at a time when Niger, world's 7th largest uranium supplier, is in dispute with French-backed Orano which has long...

Mineral Resources

Agnico Eagle has said it will not participate in Barrick's North American IPO

Ammar Al-Joundi, CEO of Agnico Eagle in Canada, said that the company is not interested in Barrick Mining's proposed North American initial public offering. Al-Joundi stated that it would be a waste of money for Agnico Eagle to invest in Barrick Mining's proposed North American IPO ...,". He said that it was not a matter of valuation, or whether the deal is a good one or not. Al-Joundi said that it was up to Barrick's board and management at this point to decide if Agnico will attempt to buy the Nevada assets of Barrick in the future. Barrick declined comment....

Mineral Resources

Interior Secretary Burgum: US wants to issue deep sea mining permits in a few months

The Trump administration announced on Monday that it was close to approving permits to'mine' the deep sea as part of an broader effort to increase U.S. access to the vital minerals needed across the U.S. economy. Interior Secretary Doug Burgum told a G20 gathering in Houston of energy ministers that the permits could be issued within months, as the administration pursues its strategy of "energy add" to expand the supply chains of the country and its allies. Donald Trump, since returning to office in 2017, has taken steps to bolster the deep-sea mine industry. However, he still hasn't issued operational...

Mineral Resources

WSJ reports that the Pentagon is in talks with Fluidstack to lend $5 billion.

Wall Street Journal reports that the Pentagon is in talks to loan $5 billion to the AI cloud computing startup Fluidstack to shore up the U.S. Data Center Supply Chain. The newspaper reported that the money would be coming from?the Pentagon Office of Strategic Capital. Fluidstack 'would use the loan to shore -up?the U.S. manufacturing capacity and supply chain for certain data centre-related components rather than funding a brand new AI 'facility, WSJ said. The U.S. The Department of Defense and Fluidstack have not responded to requests for comments immediately. Last month, U.S. president Donald Trump signed a presidential order...

Mineral Resources

Alcoa: Cutting Canada tariffs will not be enough to reduce the US aluminum premium.

Alcoa's chief financial officer said that the steep price of aluminum in the U.S. would not?drop much even if Washington halved the tariffs on metals imported from Canada because other countries are still needed. The price that U.S. The price?U.S. Molly Beerman, Alcoa's Chief financial officer, said that the U.S. needs to import around 4 million tonnes of aluminum each year. Canada can only provide 3 million tonnes of this. Beerman stated that Midwest would not drop significantly, even if the U.S. were to receive a favorable rate from Canada. "It may come down a bit, but it won't return...

Mining

Gold drops over 1% after U.S. data on inflation boosts Fed rate hike bets

Gold prices dropped by over 1% after?robust U.S. data on inflation and rising oil costs increased bets that the Federal Reserve will raise rates next week. Spot gold fell by 1.2%, to $4349.32 an ounce, at 9:24 am EDT (1324 GMT), whereas U.S. Gold Futures dropped 1.6%, to $4391.30. The data from the producer price index "sort of tells [us] that there has been an increase in inflation underlying in?the?U.S. The rising cost of energy is a major factor in the economy. U.S. Producer Prices increased in August in line with expectations, despite a rise in the cost of energy....

Mining

US to help Kenya develop its critical mineral processing

A senior American official stated on Wednesday that the United States would help Kenya develop an important minerals processing industry. This was in response to the rivalry between China &?the US. Over access to essential minerals. Kenya is considering bids for the development of Mrima Hill, a coastal deposit that is estimated to contain rare earth minerals worth tens and billions of dollars, as well as niobium - a metal commonly used in aerospace manufacturing. Frank Garcia, Assistant Secretary of State for Africa, said at a meeting of a Kenyan business lobby group, the American Chamber of Commerce, that "critical...

Mining

US to help Kenya develop its critical mineral processing

A senior American official said on Wednesday that the United States would help Kenya develop an important minerals processing industry, in the context of a 'rivalry between China and America over access to vital minerals. Kenya is considering bids for the development of Mrima Hill, a coastal deposit that is estimated to contain rare earth minerals worth tens and billions of dollars, as well as niobium - a metal commonly used in aerospace manufacturing. Frank Garcia, assistant secretary of state for Africa at the American Chamber of Commerce in Kenya, said: "Critical Minerals are a priority for President (Donald Trump)...

Mineral Resources

Investors await US data and tariff clarity as copper prices set to reach $15,000

Analysts?said that copper?prices may break through $15,000 this week for the first-ever time, as investors prepare for another round of U.S.?economic?data and President Donald Trump continues to keep the market guessing about import tariffs. The benchmark copper price on the London Metal Exchange reached a record high of $14,779 a metric ton. This was the fourth session in a row that the rally continued. Will it reach $15,000 this coming week due to Trump's tariff confusion?" "Yes, it's possible," said Panmure Liberum Analyst Tom Price. You can choose any large number when you have this much speculative money behind a...

Environment

Brazilian court suspends licences for Sigma Lithium Mine

Documents reviewed by?showed that a Brazilian judge had ordered the suspension of mining and environmental permits at Sigma Lithium’s?Grota do Cirilo?mine. ?showed. The judge ruled Friday on a civil lawsuit brought by the Federation of Quilombola Communities of Minas gerais, in which the group claimed that the miner’s project was in the area of direct influence of the Bau Quilombola Community. Quilombolas, or traditional communities of African descent, were founded by people who fled slavery. The state protects their territories and requires more licensing for any projects that may impact them. The Judge Antonio Lucio?de Oliveira?Barbosa stated that there was...

Mineral Resources

US imports more Congo Copper as Consumer Acceptance Grows

U.S. consumers are increasingly buying copper from the Democratic Republic of Congo. This is helping to drive record-breaking?imports of the African producer as industrial consumers take advantage of discounts on?COMEX approved brands. According to U.S. Trade data, copper cathode deliveries by the second largest copper producing nation in the world reached a record 53.290 metric tons during July. Congo now has a share of 23.9% of all imports. This is the highest ever. These numbers illustrate the increase in demand for Congo's copper by the United States. The country imported less than 32, 000 tons of?copper in 2024. Congo has...

Europe

Mining

Gold prices rise to a one-week high and are expected to gain weekly on the back of lower oil prices

Gold prices reached a new weekly high on Friday. They were also on course to achieve their first gain in four weeks, as lower oil prices eased fears of inflationary pressures. However, a stronger dollar tempered gains. Gold spot was up 0.3% to $4,352.39 an ounce at 11:17 am EDT (1517 GMT) after reaching its highest level since the 11th of September earlier in session. Bullion is up 0.2% this week. US gold futures slipped 0.2% lower to $4,390.30. Oil has been the primary driver of inflation, and a reduction in oil prices will reduce inflation pressures. Investors in precious...

Mineral Resources

Gold reaches a new weekly high on the back of lower oil prices

Gold prices rose to a new weekly high on Friday. They were also on track for their first 'gain' in four weeks, thanks to lower oil prices, which eased fears of inflationary pressures. However, a stronger dollar tempered gains. Gold spot was up 0.7% to $4,372.27 an ounce at 09:16 am EDT (1316 GMT) after reaching its highest level since the 11th of September earlier in session. Bullion is up 0.6% this week. US gold futures increased 0.3% to $4,411,20. Oil has been the primary driver of inflation, so a decrease in oil prices will reduce inflation pressures.?Precious Metal investors...

Mining

Haniel sells majority stake of BauWatch to Carlyle CVC

The private equity firms announced on Thursday that Haniel had agreed to sell a majority stake in the Dutch security technology provider BauWatch. According to two sources who are familiar with the deal, the value of the company is around EUR1 billion ($1.15billion). Carlyle, CVC and Haniel each will acquire 45% of the company, while Haniel retains a 10% stake. BauWatch, founded in Apeldoorn, central Netherlands 17 years ago, provides video surveillance systems and alarms for construction sites, critical infrastructure, and industrial facilities. BauWatch has seen its revenue increase from EUR59m to EUR153m since Haniel purchased the company in 2021....

Western Europe

East Asia

Mineral Resources

Copper on course for weekly gain due to active demand in China

The copper price rose for the fourth straight session on Friday. It is now back to'record highs' as China, the top consumer, continues to support?the market. The price of three-month copper at the London Metal Exchange rose?0.2%? to $14,513 per metric ton, in open-outcry official trading. It had previously reached $14,572.5 - its highest level since 10 September, when it peaked at $14,875. The metal rose 2% in the past week. Data from high-frequency sources indicate that Chinese demand was 1% to 2% higher than the previous year in the first half September. Goldman Sachs stated in a research note...

Mineral Resources

Sources: China Rare Earth Group is in negotiations to purchase MP Materials' shareholder Shenghe Resources.

Two sources with knowledge of the matter said that the state-owned China Rare Earth Group was in negotiations to acquire Shenghe Resources. This would consolidate Beijing’s control over the rare earth sector, and give Beijing a stake in Washington’s rare Earth play. The deal, if successful, would transfer control of Shenghe’s stakes in foreign companies, including a 3 percent share of US rare-earths company MP Materials. This firm counts the US Department of Defense as its biggest shareholder following an investment made last year. Sources who spoke under the condition of anonymity due to the sensitive nature of the issue...

Mineral Resources

Copper prices rise as Chinese buyers return

The copper price rose on Thursday, as Chinese buyers returned to market after a recent selloff. Demand prospects also improved and the market shrugged off the?US rate hike. Benchmark 'copper' on the London Metal Exchange traded 1.2% higher at $14,408 per metric ton. Prices for the metal used in construction and power industries have fallen 4% since September 10, when they reached a record high price of $14,875 per ton. The dollar increased after the US Federal Reserve raised interest rates and reaffirmed their commitment to curbing inflation. The demand for industrial metals has been impacted by the rising dollar,...

Mining

Demand uncertainty limits gains for iron ore companies on China's pre-holiday restocking

The price of iron ore rose on Thursday for a second session, as Chinese steelmakers increased seaborne purchases in anticipation of a national holiday. However, a shrinking margin at the steel mills clouded the demand outlook. As of 0147 GMT, the most traded iron ore contract at China's Dalian Commodity Exchange rose by 0.35% to $711 yuan (US$105.94) per metric ton. As of 0137 GMT the benchmark October 'iron ore at the Singapore Exchange was 0.26% lower at $96.05 per ton. It has been hovering below the important?psychological levels of $100 for six consecutive sessions. A number of steelmakers have...

Mineral Resources

Copper falls to 3-week-low as dollar firms and LME stocks increase

The price of copper fell to a new low on Monday. It reached a three-week low as a rise in London Metal Exchange inventory?easened tightness, and the stronger dollar added further pressure to industrial?metals after last week's drop due to uncertainty over U.S. Tariffs. Benchmark 'three-month' LME copper fell by 1.2% to $14,065 per metric ton during official open outcry. It hit a low of $14 018.50 in the session, its lowest level since August 20, and it is already down 5.9% compared with the record high that was reached last Thursday. In a note published by Britannia Global Markets'...

Mineral Resources

Copper to experience first weekly decline since June due to US tariff concerns

The copper price was headed for its first weekly decline?since June. They also stabilized on Friday after a steep drop in the previous session following reports?that White House had not yet made a decision on imposing tariffs on the metal. The London Metal Exchange's three-month copper was unchanged at $14,230 per metric ton during the official open outcry. It fell 3.6% on Friday after reaching a record high price of $14,875; it is expected to finish the week at a loss of?1.6%. This would put an end to its 10-week winning streak. Alastair Mudro, senior base metals analyst at Marex...

Mining

The share of Chinese copper in LME stock rose to 44% by August

Data from the London Metal Exchange showed that, in August, 44% of all copper stocks were Chinese origin, up from 42% one month earlier. Overall inventories also increased. Total copper stocks in LME warehouses 0#MCUSTX-LOC> rose to 111.17 metric tons by the end August, up from 101.425 tons in July. Investors rushed to cover their bearish positions, pushing prompt copper prices sharply backwards, which attracted some inflows. The amount of 'Chinese Copper' available has increased from 49,400 to 66,350?tons. In August, 95% of the LME's aluminium was made up by aluminium from Russia, which is unchanged from last month, despite...

Mineral Resources

Copper prices record high due to weak supply outside US

The 'price of copper' continued to rise on Tuesday. It reached a record high on speculative purchases on the backs of tight supply outside the U.S. and weak mine production. In open-outcry official trading, three-month copper on the London Metal Exchange rose 1.3% to $14,503 per metric ton, breaking the previous record. LME copper is up 18% in this year. This is largely because a large amount of metal has been moving to the U.S., anticipating?tariffs to be imposed on refined copper. Alice Fox, an analyst at Macquarie, stated that falling inventories outside of the U.S. - including in China...

Mining

Solvay and One Investment Management discuss rare earths partnership

Solvay, a Belgian chemicals company, is currently in discussions with One Investment Management regarding a possible strategic partnership for its rare earths division. Solvay announced this on Tuesday. OneIM, led by Rajeev Misra (former SoftBank executive), would gain exposure to rare-earths processing. This would complement its existing investments in this sector, which is dominated primarily by China. Sources with knowledge of the situation said that Solvay has been in talks with OneIM about Solvay’s rare earths operations since March. The West is looking to reduce its reliance on China as a supplier of rare earth minerals. These minerals are essential...

Energy Markets

China's August imports of iron ore exceeded expectations as typhoons delayed July customs clearance

China's iron ore imports rose by 0.4% in August compared to a month ago, defying analyst's expectations of a drop, after multiple typhoons hit ports and delayed clearance. Data from the General Administration of Customs revealed on Tuesday that the world's biggest iron ore consumer imported 108.54 metric tons of this key ingredient for steelmaking last month. This is a 3.1% increase from the previous year. Four analysts predicted August ore imports between 107 and 108 millions tons before the release of data. Steven?Yu is a senior analyst with Mysteel. The monthly increase in ore imports could be due to...

Mineral Resources

Volkswagen finds defence future for German plant amid major overhaul

Volkswagen announced on Monday a preliminary agreement that will see one of its German plants switch over to defense production. This is a major step in the automaker’s effort to restructure factories struggling to compete against lower-cost Chinese competitors. The deal could be a blueprint for other Volkswagen plants facing an uncertain future, as Europe's biggest carmaker embarks upon its largest ever restructuring in order to revive margins while combating chronic overcapacity on its stagnant European markets. Volkswagen, under the initial terms of this deal, will sell its Osnabrueck factory to Israel's Aurelius Capital, and Volkswagen's own state of Lower...

Environment

EU proposes a ban on exports of waste, including aluminum scrap, to non OECD countries

Sejourne’s 'cabinet' released a statement on Friday stating that the EU's Industry Chief Stephane 'Sejourne decided to propose a 'broad ban' on the export of wastes, including aluminum scrap, 'to non-OECD nations'. Sejourne was expected to announce long-awaited measures for trade on September 23. These would only limit exports of aluminum scrap. In the internal discussion, it was revealed that the tool could only cover?around half of the scrap import. The Executive Vice President has withdrawn the proposal in order to look at a different proposal that is independent of trade instruments. We are currently working on a?act delegated under...