Mining

While 2026 is off to a rough start in terms of geopolitics, many equity investors around the world are still trying to find bargains. There are still some pockets of potential value for those who are willing to look outside the U.S. You might not expect to find them. Last year at this time, European and emerging markets equities traded below their historical valuation ranges. But after a strong 12 month run, these broad discounts have mostly disappeared and now most major indices look fully valued. Price pullbacks are likely to occur in a year with high valuations and increased...

Prices of copper weakened in the thin Asia trade on Monday as a stronger dollar and increased inventories, combined with weaker?demand, pushed down prices. Benchmark copper prices on the LME fell 0.5% to $12,782.50 per metric tonne at 0328 GMT. The London Metal Exchange's Wednesday settlement or rollover for maturing contracts will likely result in low volumes, and potentially volatile movements due to the Chinese Lunar New Year holiday. The dollar held gains for the day, as markets awaited the release on Wednesday of the minutes of the Federal Reserve meeting in January to get clues about the timing of...

BHP Group reported a stronger-than-expected ?half-year underlying profit driven by copper, which for ?the first time surpassed iron ore in the top global miner's earnings, ?as ?prices for the red metal surged on AI-fuelled demand. BHP's shares jumped 7% to an all-time high, with investors applauding a much stronger-than-expected dividend and the prospect of sizeable payouts ahead, despite falling iron ore prices. The result is impressive as the demand for copper continues to grow, driven by the rapid increase in power consumption for artificial intelligence data centers and the move towards cleaner energy. This is driving competition between mining giants...

Sojitz plans to 'expand the imports of Australian Rare?Earth Elements from Lynas?Rare?Earths, a spokesperson said Monday. Tokyo is looking to reduce its dependency on China. Sojitz began importing rare earths, such as dysprosium (used in magnets) and terbium (used in magnets), from the Australian miner last October. Japan will benefit from the expansion of imports of samarium (a raw material for permanent magnetic materials), which is used in medical and high-tech equipment. Japan, the United States and their allies are working to build supply chains outside China as Beijing tightens its?export control on critical minerals. JD Vance, the U.S. vice...

BlueScope Steel, the Australian target for a takeover bid, forecasted on Monday higher second-half earnings. It also reported a first-half profit that was above expectations. Spreads, increased volumes in key markets and cost-effectiveness are the main factors that helped BlueScope Steel, a target for takeover, to forecast higher second-half earnings on Monday. The steelmaker anticipates that the second-half earnings before interest and tax (EBIT) will be between A$620 and A$700 ($437.72 and $494.20 millions). BlueScope's six-month period ended December 31 saw underlying EBIT at A$557.5m and underlying Net Profit after Tax (NPAT) at A$382m, which is more than double the...

Mali's military leader said in a Friday statement that the government had approved a draft decree renewing Barrick Mining Loulo's gold mining permit for another 10 years. Mali, Africa's largest gold producer, settled a dispute with Barrick in November over profit-sharing, control and ownership of the Loulo-Gounkoto complex of gold mines after two years' negotiations. The dispute was sparked by 2023 mining codes that increased taxes and increased state stakes in projects. Barrick has agreed to withdraw from the World Bank’s dispute tribunal its arbitration case, while Mali said that it would release all employees of the Canadian company, drop...

Codelco, a state-owned copper miner in Chile, removed on Friday three executives from its El Teniente division after an internal audit found inconsistencies related to a previous accident at the same mine. Codelco stated that an internal audit resulting from the El Teniente accident in July revealed "serious breach of duty" on the part of executives following a rock blast within the mine in the year 2023. This included in the company’s reports to the mining regulator Sernageomin. Codelco announced that Chief Operations Officer Mauricio Baraza, who was responsible for all Codelco mine divisions as well as El Teniente's Claudio...

The U.S. Department of Commerce has given preliminary support to Sibanye Stillwater's request for a U.S. Tariff on Russian Palladium Imports, but a final decision will not be made until the middle of 2026. Sibanye Stillwater, which has?production?assets? in South Africa and America, requested Washington to impose a tax on Russian imports of palladium to ensure the viability of U.S. supplies. Trade data shows that global flows are already rerouting since the company filed its petition. South African producers have gained in the U.S. but lost share in China to Russian palladium. The U.S. Department of Commerce announced on Tuesday...

The Financial Times reported that Donald Trump intends to?reduce some tariffs on?goods made of steel and aluminum, citing a number of people who are familiar with the issue. The?Commerce Department officials and the?U.S. The FT reported that the trade representative's office believes the tariffs hurt consumers by increasing prices of goods such as pie tins, food-and drink cans, and beverage bottles. Cost-of-living and consumer prices are major concerns for voters nationwide as they head into the midterm elections in November. Recent /Ipsos survey showed that 30% of Americans approved of Trump’s handling of rising costs of living. 59% disapproved, including...

Lundin Gold, a Canadian mining company, is investing $100m?this year to prolong the life of its Fruta Del Norte mine located in Ecuador. The 'price of gold' remains high. Executives said that the investment is intended to "bolster" exploration efforts by adding 133,000 meters of drilling in concessions across the Amazonian Province of Zamora Chinchipe. This area has been affected by illegal mining. Lundin wants its reserves to be increased from 5.54 million ounces and find new deposits by launching a 3-year project in 2025. The mine has seven drilling rigs in the mine and another 11 on the surface....

According to 'provisional data', Ghana will produce 6 million ounces in 2025. The contribution of large-scale mining is 2.9 million ounces - the same as last year. The industry has warned that the projected 6.5 million-ounce production for next year is in danger, citing Ghana's planned overhaul to mineral royalties that could delay new projects or expansions which underpin 2026's production. The Ghana Chamber of Mines CEO Kenneth Ashigbey stated that 2025 production exceeded its target due?to artisanal and small scale mining (ASM), with a rise of about 3.1 millions ounces. REFORMS AND SURGING GOLD Prices Drive Output Ashigbey, speaking...

Mark Carney, the Canadian prime minister, will soon visit the remote British Columbia town of Tumbler Ridge where nine people died in one the worst mass shootings that has ever occurred, according to his office. Police say that 18-year old Jesse Van Rootselaar - who allegedly had mental health issues - shot and killed her mother, stepbrother, and a teacher at a local school on Tuesday. Van Rootselaar committed suicide after police said he was born as a man but started identifying himself as a female six years earlier. In a short statement that gave no further details, Carney's office...

Japan's Nikkei stock average fell on Tuesday as the post-election euphoria waned and U.S. Presidents' Day'market holiday' left 'investors' with 'few' trading 'cues. As of 1300 GMT, the Nikkei Index was down by 0.6% to 56,451.43, extending its slide for a 4th consecutive session. The Topix index fell 0.4% to 3,771.16. Ryotaro?Sawada is a senior analyst at Tokai Tokyo Intelligence Laboratory. The price movement seems to be primarily driven by technicals and demand-supply. The post-general-election rally from last week, following fiscal dove Prime Minister ?Sanae Takaichi's landslide victory, also appeared to fade, ?he added. SoftBank shares fell 4.6%. They were...

JSW MG Motor is a joint venture of China's SAIC Motor with India's steel to cement JSW Group. It plans to invest 'up to $440m' to expand its India 'factory' and launch new vehicles, with a particular focus on hybrid 'and electric models', according to its managing director. Loss-making automaker SAIC has struggled with growing its presence in India since New Delhi, in 2020, tried to limit investment from Beijing. In 2024, SAIC sold its India unit's minority stake to JSW to raise money. However, despite the fact that sales have been increasing, SAIC has not yet become profitable. JSW...

Traders reported that the cyclone which hit Madagascar this week has stopped 'production' at Ambatovy Cobalt and Nickel Miner. They added that a prolonged outage could increase prices for battery materials. Ambatovy is owned by the Japanese trading house Sumitomo Corp and the state-owned Korea Mine Rehabilitation and Mineral Resources Corporation. In 2024, it will produce?around 28,000. metric tons nickel and 2,500 tons cobalt. Exports are likely to be disrupted, as Madagascar's principal port Toamasina has been?hit severely. Ambatovy & Sumitomo didn't?respond to requests for comment. Ambatovy produces Nickel and Cobalt Briquettes that are easily crushed to small particles, and...

Iron ore futures fell on Friday, as traders closed out their 'positions' ahead of the Lunar New Year holidays in China. During this time, demand is expected to fall significantly. The most-traded May iron ore contract at China's Dalian Commodity Exchange closed the daytime trading down 2.36% to 746 yuan (107.96 dollars) per metric ton. This contract has fallen 1.44% this week. As of 0715 GMT, the benchmark March iron ore traded on the Singapore Exchange at $97.25 per ton. This is a 2.34% decrease. The contract has fallen 1.76% this week and is on track for its fifth consecutive...

China's Zijin Mining plans to start Congo's first lithium production in June at the disputed Manono mine and export it immediately, according to Cominiere, a state-owned mining company. This is a significant step for Beijing in its push to secure critical minerals in Africa. Zijin previously stated a start in the first quarter of 2026, but said on Tuesday that this is now updated planning. After the Democratic?Republic of Congo revoked the permit of Australian miner AVZ, the Manono resource is now at the center of arbitration. Zijin, in a joint venture with Cominiere, reassigned a part of the site....

Three sources familiar with the matter have told us that CME Group has been working on a plan to launch the first futures contract for rare earths in the world. This would allow governments, companies, and banks to hedge their exposure to the 'China-controlled sector. Two sources claim that the rival Intercontinental Exchange also plans to offer rare earth futures but it is not as far along in its planning process as CME. CME declined comment, and ICE didn't immediately respond to a comment request. Banks are reluctant to finance Western projects, in an industry where volatile prices can be...

Iron ore futures struggled to find direction on Wednesday, before erasing their?early gains. This was despite China, the world's largest consumer, offering financial support. The most-traded May iron ore contract at China's Dalian Commodity Exchange was down by 0.07% to 762.5 Yuan ($110.31). As of 0700 GMT, the benchmark March iron ore was trading at $99.9 per ton on the Singapore Exchange. China's central banks?said on Tuesday that it would increase financial support for domestic demand as a result of?industrial excess and lacklustre consumer confidence, which dampened the growth outlook. Data released on Wednesday showed that China's consumer price inflation...

Iron ore futures continued to rise on Wednesday, after the central bank of top consumer China pledged financial assistance to boost domestic consumption. This was exemplified in a?lower than expected consumption data. As of 0234 GMT, the most-traded May iron ore contract on?China's Dalian Commodity Exchange was up 0.26% to 765 yuan (US$110.63) per metric ton. The benchmark March ore traded on the Singapore Exchange at $100.35 per ton, up 0.17%. China's central banks said on Tuesday that it would increase financial support for domestic demand as overcapacity in the industrial sector and lacklustre consumption weighed down business confidence. Still,...

JX Advanced Metal raised its dividend and net profit forecasts for the year ending in March. They cited a strong demand for materials used to build artificial intelligence servers, as well as higher copper prices. The Japanese company raised its net profit forecast for the year to 93 billion Japanese yen ($598 millions) from 79 billion yen in November. The company said that demand for products in the segment of 'information and communication materials' for AI server applications has grown 'faster than expected. Stronger copper prices have also supported the growth. The company has increased its dividend per share to?27...

The price of iron ore rose on Tuesday, after six sessions of declines, as low prices encouraged steelmills to purchase feedstock. A drop in weekly shipments was also supportive. As of 0256 GMT, the most-traded contract for May iron ore on China's Dalian Commodity Exchange was trading 0.2% higher. It was 763 yuan (US$110.42) per metric ton. The benchmark March ore traded on the Singapore Exchange is now trading at $100.2 per ton. This price is above the psychological $100 threshold. According to a report by the?consultancy Mysteel, the total amount of iron ore that arrived?at 47 Chinese port decreased...

Iron ore futures in Dalian fell for the sixth time on Monday, as concerns over supply disruptions subsided after the Australian hub port resumed operations after a cyclone alert. As of 0258 GMT, the most-traded contract for May iron ore on China's Dalian Commodity Exchange was trading 0.33% lower. It was 762.5 Yuan ($109.98). The benchmark March ore traded on the Singapore Exchange rose 0.72% to $99.75 per ton. Singapore's benchmark dropped below $100 per ton, as the demand in China slowed before the Lunar New Year holiday. Data from Steelhome, released on 6 February, showed that iron ore inventories...

China launched a reusable experiment spacecraft into orbit aboard a Long March-2F rocket carrier from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center located in 'the 'northwest of the country on Saturday. State news agency Xinhua confirmed this. Xinhua reported that the mission would provide technical support to the peaceful use of space by evaluating reusable spacecraft. However, it did not specify how long the 'craft' will be in orbit. The report does not mention what technologies were used or how high they flew. This is the 'fourth launch of a reusable satellite by the country since 2020. It is believed that the...