Natalka gold mine. (Image courtesy of Polyus). Miners in Russia's far eastern region of Magadan have mined over 40 tonnes of gold since the beginning of 2019, government-controlled RT news site reports. According to the information, which cites local authorities, the figure implies that the miners have broken a 40-year production record. The report also states that they may reach 50 tonnes by the ...

Image courtesy of PT Vale Indonesia. State holding company Mining Industry Indonesia will acquire a 20% stake in Vale Indonesia for $500 million by June, 2020, the state miner’s acting chief executive said on Friday. “The conditional share purchase agreement is expected in mid-December, the conclusion depends on conditions, but is targeted no later than June 2020,” Ogi Prastomiyono told reporters....

The Germano complex. Image from Samarco. Samarco Mineração, a joint venture between Vale and BHP received on Friday its Corrective Operation License (LOC) for its operating activities in the Germano Complex, located in the state of Minas Gerais, Brazil. The license was approved by the Mining Activities Chamber (CMI) of the State Council for Environmental Policy (COPAM). Samarco has now obtained al...

The Mina do Barroso project is set to be Europe’s first significant producer of spodumene, a hard-rock form of lithium. (Image courtesy of ASMAA | YouTube.) Multi-commodity developer Savannah Resources (AIM:SAV) is looking into maximizing value at its Mina do Barroso lithium project in Portugal by identifying other products present in the concession. Unveiling a maiden resource for elements other ...

The 2019 Brand Finance Mining, Iron & Steel 25 report has once again named BHP as the world’s most valuable mining brand with a value of $6bn and an AA strength rating. Julian Turner talks to Richard Haigh, Brand Finance’s head of mining practice, about why miners now care about branding. Until relatively recently, it is fair to say that mining companies paid little more than cursory attention...

Global gold production hit another record just shy of 109m troy ounces in 2018, up more than 23m ounces since the start of the decade. The ranks of the top producing companies stayed remarkably stable, but last year saw a new company take the top spot – and that's even before the flurry of mergers in the industry's top tier. Long-time leader Barrick Gold produced 4.5m attributable ounces in 2018, ...

Chapitos copper-gold project. Photo by Camino Minerals. The Peruvian Ministry of Energy and Mines approved a permit related to Camino Minerals’ (TSXV: COR) environmental impact assessment for the Chapitos copper-gold project. The permit allows for the expansion of drilling activities along the Diva Trend at Chapitos. Drilling is expected to commence during the latter half of 2019. In a press relea...

The Idaho-Maryland property includes two parts of fee simple land, the Brunswick Land and the Idaho Land. Pictured here is the former. Photo by Ruse Gold. Rise Gold (CSE: RISE) reported this week that the exploration drill program the company is carrying out at its Idaho-Maryland project intercepted high-grade gold mineralization in multiple vein structures downdip from historic workings. The past...

Stainless steel braids. Photo by włodi, Wikimedia Commons. China's  Iron and Steel Association said on Sunday the industry faces ongoing risks from excess capacity, as well as sluggish demand and increased raw material costs that could squeeze profits. The country's sprawling steel sector, which has cut 150 million tonnes of steel production over the past three years, was “far from achieving ...

Rio Tinto's iconic Argyle diamond mine has produced one of the largest gem quality white diamonds in its 35 year history. The 28.84 carat gem quality white diamond was recovered from the east Kimberley mine in March 2019. Named Argyle Octavia™ in recognition of its beautiful octahedral shape, this rough diamond will be sold by tender in Antwerp later this year. Arnaud Soirat, chief executive of Ri...

The largest autonomous mining truck from Komatsu is now in production in Canada.   In April, SMS Equipment deployed the Komatsu 980E-4AT, which is the largest autonomous Komatsu truck in commercial operations worldwide, to the Canadian oil sands.   “SMS Equipment continues to offer leading technology solutions for the mining industry by working closely with its OEM partners to deploy and...

File: Small-scale miners are lobbying Government to reduce mining levies in order to promote the growth of the sector. Image Martin Addison.   Zimbabwe's Chamber of Mines, which represents most of the mining companies active in the country, wants ownership restrictions on platinum group metals and diamond operations officially scrapped, the group's president, Batirai Manhando, said.   Th...