Egypt approves Aton Resources’ Hamama
Egypt has granted Aton Resources (TSXV: AAN) a mining licence for its Hamama development project — the second time in a decade that the government has greenlighted a mine since…
2020
Reading the tree leaves
As much of the easily accessible gold has been found, prospectors and mining companies have had to dig deeper and venture farther into more extreme and remote environments to find…
Commentary: The state of metals markets in 2020
The metals markets promise to be full of fascinating developments and unexpected twists in 2020. Mining equities will not be excluded from the drama. This partly reflects the reality that…
Odds ‘n’ Sods: Drilling isn’t for the faint of heart
Mine geologists — whether they work at open-pit or underground mines — eventually end up supervising drill machines and sometimes the work can be dangerous. My first job as a…
Barrick beats forecasts, hikes dividend
Barrick Gold (TSX: ABX; NYSE: GOLD) posted a better-than-expected quarterly profit and rewarded investors with a 40% dividend increase, thanks to strong gold prices. The world’s second-largest gold producer reported…
CIM updates mineral property valuation code
The Canadian Institute of Mining, Metallurgy and Petroleum (CIM) recently released its updated Canadian standards and guidelines for the valuation of mineral properties (CIMVAL 2019). Its new code is the…
Talisker plans systematic approach at Spences Bridge
Talisker Resources (CNSX: TSK; US-OTC: TSKFF) only listed on the Canadian Stock Exchange last April, but the junior holds more than 70% of the up-and-coming Spences Bridge belt in southwestern…
Gold market balanced in 2019, World Gold Council says
This is an edited summary from the World Gold Council, based on its “Gold Demand Trends Full Year and Q4 2019” report. To access the report, visit www.gold.org. Gold demand…
Pretium meets guidance, lowers production outlook
Pretium Resources (TSX: PVG) expects to produce between 325,000 oz. and 365,000 oz. gold per year in the Valley of the Kings zone, in contrast with the 525,000 oz. long-term…
Agnico Eagle takes strategic stake in Rupert Resources
Agnico Eagle Mines (TSX: AEM; NYSE: AEM) is taking a 9.9% stake in Rupert Resources (TSXV: RUP) and the junior’s flagship Pahtavaara gold project, located 50 km away from Agnico’s…
AngloGold Ashanti sells South African assets to Harmony Gold
AngloGold Ashanti (NYSE: AU) is selling its assets in South Africa to Harmony Gold (NASDAQ: HMY) in a deal worth about US$300 million. Harmony Gold has nine underground operations in…
Editorial: China must ban wildlife trade to prevent new viruses
When the coronavirus that caused Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) became a worldwide health emergency between November 2002 and July 2003, I was the bureau chief for The Far Eastern…