Tag: Mining

Portugal: (Energia e ) Recursos Minerais – I

Produção mineral nacional valor
Evolução do valor da produção mineral nacional (incluindo águas minerais) desde 1990 – Fonte: DGEG. Portuguese mineral production (including groundwater) value since 1990 – Data source: DGEG.

Oil and metals: Goliath and David

Another excellent infographic published by Visual Capitalist (a few weeks ago).
They left diamonds out of the picture, a pity. They included graphite, diamond’s darker and duller brother, though; curiously enough, both markets are very similar in value (diamond production marginally smaller, at close to $14B).
Courtesy of: Visual Capitalist

Duas novas autorizações de exploração semi-industrial para cooperativas na Lunda Sul

De acordo com notícia publicada no Novo Jornal, o Ministério de Geologia e Minas deu autorização a duas cooperativas para a exploração semi-industrial de diamantes na Lunda Sul.

As autorizações foram dadas às cooperativas Linga Tchimwe (numa área de 54 km2) e Kulha (9 km2). Os direitos são atribuídos por um ano, podendo ser prorrogados por quatro.

Angola é um dos principais produtores mundiais de diamantes, tendo extraído  em 2015 mais de nove milhões de quilates (menos de duas toneladas), com um valor de quase 1.200 milhões de dólares ( a um preço médio em torno de 130 USD/ct).

In Maputo (Mozambique) next week

I will be in Maputo (Mozambique) next week (Monday to Wednesday, the 4th to the 6th April), focused on the country’s mineral industry. It’s a short stay and, unfortunately, limited to Maputo but it’s an opportunity to meet an talk about exploration and mining projects and opportunities (especially about, but not limited to, gems and diamonds, tantalite and other pegmatite deposits). Drop me a line to luischambel@sinese.pt to set up a meeting.

Num retorno há muito desejado, estarei em Maputo (Moçambique) na próxima semana (segunda a quarta, 4 a 6 de Abril), focado na indústria mineira do País. É uma estadia muito curta e, infelizmente limitada a Maputo, mas é uma oportunidade para falar sobre projectos e oportunidades no de prospecção e mineração (especialmente em, mas não limitadas a, gemas e diamantes, tantalite e outros jazigos pegmatíticos). Contacte-me através do meu email para combinarmos uma reunião: luischambel@sinese.pt.

Portugal International Mining Business & Investment Summit

Portugal International Mining Business & Investment Summit – PIMBIS

April 12, 13 & 14, 2016, LISBOA – PORTUGAL

Pimbis Poster english.jpg

To register or to know more about sponsoring or exhibition opportunities, check the PIMBIS website: www.pimbis.com

Pimbis Poster portuguese

Para se inscrever ou saber mass sobre oportunidades de patrocínio ou de exposição visite o website PIMBIS: www.pimbis.com

Responsible sourcing for mining & metals – ICMM

Companies have a shared responsibility for the materials that they produce. Demonstrating value focuses on the two complementary sides of the responsible sourcing debate – sustainable procurement and responsible supply.

A client (a small to medium sized operation) recently asked my help to certify the origin of its production in a neighbouring country of DRC. If it’s diamonds we talking about, there are already standard procedures in place (it’s relatively easy); if it’s one of the 3TG (tin,tantalum, tungsten or gold), then it’s a complex maze, especially if you are outside the Great Lakes countries but in their shadow (neighbouring countries).

In this situation, there is no one locally to whom you may ask for advice (no financing for institutions to have representations in the countries outside the main focus of attention; yet local producers have to “exercise supply chain due diligence“, whatever this is (don’t bother explaining the concept, I understand it in theory; how does a small to medium operation puts it into practice?).

I use ICMM (as well as CIM and PDAC’s) guidelines and publications in the projects I design; I did it in the past and am doing it now in an exploration project in Angola. I must confess that I only check for new ICMM updates on a need to use basis; this time I downloaded the new report on responsible sourcing from today’s e-mail. Perhaps I will get (and my client) some insight from this document.

You may obtain it here or directly from ICMM website.

Lundin Mining Production Outlook 2016-2018

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(1) Production guidance is based on certain estimates and assumptions, including but not limited to; mineral resources and reserves, geological formations, grade and continuity of deposits and metallurgical characteristics.
(2) Tenke guidance has not yet been provided by operator, Freeport McMoRan Inc. (“Freeport”). Lundin Mining anticipates future production from Tenke to be comparable to expected 2015 production.

In a press release (Marketwired – Dec. 2, 2015) Lundin Mining Corporation (TSX:LUN)(OMX:LUMI) (“Lundin Mining” or the “Company”) provides the following production guidance for the three-year period of 2016 through 2018. Key highlights are as follows:

  • Annual attributable copper production guidance for 2016 and 2017 has improved from last year’s three year production guidance due primarily to the improved production profile at Candelaria.
  • Zinc production is expected to increase by 2018 due to a low-cost plant improvement project at Zinkgruvan.
  • This outlook does not include guidance for the Aguablanca nickel/copper mine. The mine is under suspension and recommencement of operations will depend on timing of receipt of environmental approval for underground operations and the outlook for nickel and copper prices.
  • This production profile does not incorporate any expansions for the zinc plant at Neves-Corvo or further debottlenecking at Tenke, each of which could further increase the Company’s production profile.
    Given current depressed market conditions, the Company continues to refine planned investments in capital programs and exploration.

The Company is also conducting a further review of operating costs and considering actions required in order to preserve healthy operating margins under a sustained period of low commodity prices. The 2016 outlook for cash costs, capital spending and exploration programs will be disclosed towards the end of January 2016.

Mr. Paul Conibear, President and CEO commented: “The Company’s near term strategy is focused on stable production with low capital investment and improving operating costs, in order to maximize profitability and cash flows, preserving a strong balance sheet. The stability of our producing assets combined with the strength of our balance sheet, ideally positions the Company to generate leading returns to shareholders in any commodity price environment.”

The role of mining in national economies (2nd edition) – ICMM

I missed last year’s ICMM publication; in case you also didn’t get it: The role of mining in national economies (2nd edition).

This second edition of The role of mining in national economies provides an update on the contribution of mining activities in each of the world’s 214 national economies. The report extends the analysis to capture the recent downturn in the mineral prices (2010-2012) as well providing a deeper understanding of the role of mining in poverty reduction.

ICMM -International Council on Mining & Metals

(https://www.icmm.com/publications)

Boston Consulting Group on Exploration and Mining (current affairs and future trends)

Yes, these are hard times (although I just started a new consulting project today and will likely add another in the next week or so) but it’s time we leave the gloom and doom talking and start thinking (and acting) on ways to improve.
I always like to pick ideas from well thought, well structured texts. I have just come across some recent (2015) BCG publications (https://www.bcgperspectives.com) on the current state of affairs in Exploration and Mining:

A couple of other interesting documents are not available in pdf format but you can read them at:

Thanks to BCG for publishing these reports.