South African stocks rose on Friday as demand for safe-haven investments increased amid rising worries about global economic growth. Gold mining companies and other gold-related stocks were the biggest beneficiaries as gold prices gained amid increased risk-off sentiment. Investment holding companies were also among the top gainers, with investors seeking refuge in these companies’ assets,…
Zimbabwe has accused the United States of lying about the use of forced labour in its diamond-mining industry. The US State Department recently released its annual Trafficking in Persons Report, which found that Zimbabwe was using forced labour in its diamond-mining sector. The report said that the country had failed to take adequate steps to…
South African miner Sibanye-Stillwater has extended its reach into Australia with the acquisition of a 19.9% stake in Australian zinc miner, Votorantim Metais Zincar SA. The acquisition was made through a subsidiary, Sibanye-Stillwater Australia, and is part of the company’s strategy to diversify its portfolio and expand its presence in the global zinc market. Votorantim…
Japan is set to subsidize half the costs of lithium and other critical minerals projects, according to a report by Reuters. The Japanese government has reportedly been in talks with the private sector to secure supplies of lithium, cobalt, and other metals used in electric vehicle batteries. The government is said to be offering subsidies…
China’s massive stimulus talk has done little to boost metals as confidence in the global economy continues to fade. Despite the Chinese government’s announcement of a massive stimulus package, which includes infrastructure spending, tax cuts, and other measures, the market is not reacting positively. China’s stimulus package, which is estimated to be worth around $1.4…
Electra, a Canadian-based mining and metals company, announced that it has begun talks with the government of Quebec about the possibility of building a second cobalt refinery in the province. The new facility could be located in the Saguenay-Lac-St-Jean region, and would be used to process cobalt ore mined from the company’s nearby Lac des…
Endeavour Mining Corporation, one of the leading gold producers in West Africa, has announced the discovery of a potential new flagship gold project in the region. The project, located in the Birimian greenstone belt of West Africa, is estimated to contain more than 1 million ounces of gold. According to Endeavour Mining, the project could…
Lithium Americas Corporation, a leading global lithium producer and developer, has announced its plans to restart its Cauchari-Olaroz lithium project in Argentina. The project is located in the Jujuy province of the country and is one of the world’s largest and highest-grade lithium brine deposits. The project was suspended in 2018 due to a lack…
Sirius Minerals, a London-based mining company, has announced a major deal with a major Asian partner that will help it to develop its flagship project in the North York Moors in the UK. The deal, worth an estimated £2.5 billion, will see Sirius Minerals partner with the Japanese trading house Mitsui & Co Ltd to…
The Biden administration is reportedly holding off on implementing sanctions against Russia that would target the country’s aluminum industry. The sanctions, which were announced by the Trump administration in December 2020, would have imposed restrictions on Russian aluminum producer Rusal, the world’s largest aluminum producer outside of China. The sanctions were intended to punish Russia…