Rio Tinto deepens presence in Mongolia
A week after the Mongolian government hit Turquoise Hill Resources (NYSE: TRO) with a US$155-million tax bill associated with the Oyu Tolgoi copper-gold mine, Rio Tinto (NYSE: RIO; LON: RIO),…
Asia
China’s Zhaojin becomes cornerstone investor in Sabina
One of China’s largest gold companies has invested $66 million for a 9.9% stake in Canada’s Sabina Gold & Silver (TSX: SBB), a junior that is advancing its wholly owned…
China ‘tweaks’ nickel taxes to favour EVs, Wood Mackenzie says
In December, China made adjustments to import taxes on some nickel products that favour the production of electric vehicles (EVs). On Jan. 1, the import tax on nickel sulphate —…
Lithium demand to triple by 2025, CRU expects
Regulations in China that plug-in hybrid electric vehicles and fully electric vehicles must make up 8% of all new vehicle production in the Asian juggernaut in 2018, rising to 10%…
Roskill’s Jack Bedder peers into cobalt crystal ball
Cobalt has more than doubled in price from US$14.75 per lb. in late December 2016 to over US$30 per lb., making it one of the top performing metals this year….
Japan Gold drills Ikutahara in Hokkaido
Japan Gold (TSXV: JG; US-OTC: JGLDF) has become the first foreign company to be granted prospecting rights and a drilling permit by Japan’s Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry for…
Diamond market slows after strong recovery
A strong recovery followed an industry-wide diamond inventory buildup in 2014-2015 and another slide after India’s demonetization in late 2016. However, lately, the diamond industry’s momentum has begun to stall….
Editorial: Oil climbs to two-year highs, gold hangs tough
Oil is one the largest unit costs for many miners, especially for those involved with open-pit operations and remote mines dependent on diesel power generation. And so with oil prices…
Centerra CEO on ‘comprehensive settlement’ at Kumtor
VANCOUVER — After 18 months of negotiations, Centerra Gold (TSX: CS; US-OTC: CAGDF) has apparently resolved outstanding political disputes with the Kyrgyzstan government over the company’s cornerstone Kumtor gold mine in…
B2Gold’s Fekola on brink of commercial production this year
B2Gold (TSX: BTO; NYSE: BTG) says it has started processing ore at its Fekola gold mine in southwestern Mali, and will reach commercial production before year-end. The mid-tier miner already…
Seven questions investors should ask about geophysical anomalies
VANCOUVER — Geophysical surveys are frequently used by the mining and exploration industry to detect potential mineral deposits hidden beneath the subsurface. However, the results of geophysical surveys can be…
Editorial: Gold, copper reach new highs
The sustained strength in most precious and base metals this year reached breakout levels in September, as a weakening U.S. dollar and renewed optimism over Chinese metal demand pushed metal…