Industry news
Anglo Asian Mining accused of “exploiting” border dispute for financial gain
9 november | projects
The Armenian National Committee UK (ANC) has criticised Anglo Asian Mining for “exploiting” a long-standing conflict on the Armenian-Azerbaijani border for its financial gain.
The Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, named for the region in south-western Asia between the two countries, has persisted since 1988, when Armenia demanded that the Soviet Union transfer control of the region from Azerbaijan to Armenia. Since the collapse of the Soviet Union, with both ethnic Armenians and Azerbaijanis calling the area home, hostilities have continued between the now-independent states of Armenia and Azerbaijan, alternating between guerrilla wars and full-scale conflicts.
On October 27, Anglo Asian applauded what it called the “liberation” of the Zangilan region of the area, a mineral-rich area that contains the Vejnaly mining area, which the company and Azerbaijan have agreed to mine. The Zangilan region was reported have close to 3,000 tons of copper and 29 million cubic metres of building stone in 1993 by the state’s National Geological Survey, and while the conflict has prevented more recent mineral exploration work, Anglo Asian is optimistic that the region will prove to be a profitable investment.
“Vejnaly is held under the company’s existing production sharing agreement (PSA),” explained Anglo Asian in the October press release. “However, the PSA will only commence in respect of Vejnaly upon notification by the Government of Azerbaijan to the company of the cessation of all hostilities and that it is safe to access the district.
“This notification will therefore ‘reset’ the PSA to year zero for contract areas in the occupied territories. Accordingly, the company then has the right to explore the contract area for up to five years and then develop and produce for 15 years with two five-year extensions allowed.”
However, Anglo Asian’s support for potential mining development in the region has seen the company receive criticism for its economic interest in what many consider to be a humanitarian crisis. The ANC in particular has taken issue with the miner’s use of the word “liberation” to refer to the removal of Armenian forces by Azerbaijan, which it argues ignores many of the valid Armenian claims to the region.
“It is sad that a London-listed company should think it appropriate to put out a press release celebrating the ‘liberation’ of land that it plans to exploit for commercial gain,” said the ANC. “That ‘liberation’ has come about through the expulsion of the ethnic Armenians who lived there.
“We believe Anglo Asian Mining is taking advantage of the war and exploiting an unstable region to maximise profits for its investors, and without a care in the world for how the conflict is impacting civilians. This is shameful.”
The ANC also pointed out that belligerents in the conflict have been accused of committing war crimes for their targeting of civilians in the region. Azerbaijan claims that since fighting ramped up in September, 91 civilians have been killed in regions it controls, while Armenia has claimed that 47 people have been killed, including 45 in the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict zone.
9 november | operations
Los Andes to use HPGR circuit technology at Chile’s Vizcachitas deposit
Exploration and development company Los Andes Copper has confirmed that it will use high-pressure grinding rolls (HPGR) circuit technology in the processing circuit at its Vizcachitas copper project.
Owned by Los Andes Copper, Vizcachitas is a copper-molybdenum porphyry deposit in central Chile that is currently at the pre-feasibility study stage.
According to the exploration firm, use of HPGR technology at the deposit strengthens the company’s commitment towards a sustainable operation with reduced consumption of water and energy.
With the data collected from the ‘preliminary testwork’ conducted in 2009 and 2017–2018, HPGR technology was identified as a better alternative for grinding.
Los Andes noted that the technology has been selected to be used in the processing circuit for the additional comminution testwork.
9 november | projects
Debswana to close Damtshaa diamond mine in Botswana
Botswana-based Debswana Mining will reportedly close its Damtshaa diamond mine in 2021 for a period of three years.
The move comes due to a weaker demand for the metal and trading disruptions caused as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic, making the mining of lower value diamonds unviable according to Reuters, who cited a union leader.
Debswana is a 50:50 joint venture between De Beers and the Botswana Government.
The news agency quoted Botswana Mine Workers Union president Joseph Tsimako as stating: “The mine produces lower quality diamonds which makes it expensive to dig during this period when the market is depressed.”
Tsimako said that the company will also close a processing plant at Orapa diamond mine, adding that the move of the closures would impact nearly 500 jobs.
The union president said that the company and the union are in talks regarding the ‘redeployment’ of employees to other mine operations or voluntary separation.
6 november | deal
Livent extends lithium supply agreement with Tesla through 2021
Philadelphia-based lithium producer Livent has extended its supply agreement with American electric vehicle (EV) company Tesla through the end of next year.
The company made the latest announcement as part of its Q3-2020 results update.
Under the multi-year lithium hydroxide supply agreement, the company also committed for higher volumes than those in the current year.
The lithium producer also said it ‘continues to discuss the framework for a long-term supply partnership’ with the EV maker beyond 2021.
Livent president and CEO Paul Graves said: “Our ongoing partnership with Tesla and our agreement to invest in New Nemaska are examples of this.
“The major priorities we are seeing from our customers – the shift to lithium hydroxide and the growing importance of localised, sustainable supply chains – are core advantages for Livent that will continue to position us as an industry leader for years to come.”
6 november | projects
West Vault receives federal permit to construct Hasbrouck mine
US-based West Vault Mining has received federal consent to construct and operate Hasbrouck Mine in the US state of Nevada.
The company received a Decision Record (DR) and Finding of No Significant Impact following the completion of the Environmental Assessment (EA) analysis by the Bureau of Land Management.
The receipt of DR indicates that the mine meets all the requirements under the National Environmental Policy Act and EA process.
The Hasbrouck project is located approximately five miles south-west of Tonopah in Esmeralda County.
The first phase of the Hasbrouck gold project is the ‘Three Hills’ mine, located west of the town of Tonopah.
5 november | operations
Lynas to boost rare earth production at Mt Weld mine
Australian rare earths miner Lynas has received a 14m-long industrial-scale dryer at the Mt Weld rare earths mine in Western Australia that will be added to improve operational efficiency.
The dryer has been installed to improve the efficiency of producing rare earth concentrate and replacing manual drying of concentrate in the sun.
Lynas upstream vice-president Kam Leung said: “The use of the dryer at Mt Weld will provide a number of benefits to the Mt Weld operations, including less handling and lower transport costs. It will also result in an improved product for processing and increase opportunities for team members to focus on other projects.
“We are looking forward to seeing the benefits of reduced moisture levels and to continuing to improve our operations in line with our ongoing commitment to sustainable production.”
In brief
Nanjing Hanrui to start cobalt production line in DRC
Chinese firm Nanjing Hanrui Cobalt reportedly expects to start its cobalt production line in the Democratic Republic of Congo.
Production is expected to start in late-November to December Reuters reported, citing the company’s GM Liang Jie.
Nevada Copper says it needs more funding for Pumpkin Hollow mine
Copper producer Nevada Copper said it will need additional funding over the next four months to complete its ramp-up of operations at the Pumpkin Hollow copper project in the US.
Rio Tinto ceases mining activities at Argyle diamond mine in Western Australia
Mining major Rio Tinto has announced the final day of mining activities at its Argyle diamond mine in the Kimberley region of Western Australia. The mine was in operation for a period of 37 years.
Road blockade protest ends at Lundin Gold’s Fruta Del Norte mine
Canadian mining firm Lundin Gold has announced that the blockade that had been hindering transport of supplies and concentrate from the Fruta del Norte gold mine has been lifted.
Metso Outotec to sell operations in Vereeniging, South Africa
Metso Outotec has announced that it will divest its fabrication, machining, and assembly operations, as well as “close or rearrange” the rest of its operations, in Vereeniging, South Africa.
5 november | branding
Adani rebrands Australian business to Bravus Mining and Resources
Marking its tenth anniversary of operating in Australia, Adani rebranded its Australian business name to ‘Bravus Mining and Resources’.
With the Carmichael coal and rail project construction currently underway in Queensland, the time was “ideal” to give Adani its own Australian brand, said Bravus Mining & Resources CEO David Boshoff.
David Boshoff said: “We have made a significant investment in Queensland and we will be here for the long-haul, employing local people and doing business in Australia.
“We are proud to be a dedicated Australian company that is part of the North Queensland community. We will continue to stand up and deliver for the good of our community, no matter how courageous it requires us to be, and Bravus, our new name, reflects this intent.”
As an Australian company, Bravus will operate under Australian law and pay taxes and royalties in Australia.
Adani expects that the new branding will become better established over the next year as the Carmichael mine becomes operational and is on rack to produce first coal next year.
5 november | operations
Chile’s Candelaria copper mine union rejects new deal from Lundin
The workers union at Candelaria copper mine in Chile has reportedly rejected Canadian firm Lundin Mining’s new contract offer to end strike action at the mine.
The union will continue the indefinite strike, which began on 8 October, Reuters reported.
Another union joined the strike later in the same month, forcing the closure of the copper mine.
Located in Chile’s Atacama Region, the Candelaria copper mining complex comprises two adjacent copper mining operations, Candelaria and Ojos del Salado.
In November 2014, Lundin Mining acquired an 80% ownership stake in the Candelaria and Ojos del Salado copper mining operations for $1.8bn from Freeport-McMoRan.
In a statement sent to Reuters on 3 November, the company stated: “During the negotiation process, Minera Candelaria has submitted four improved offers.
“Once again we call on the leaders and members of the Mina Union to resume the dialogue to reach a mutually beneficial agreement.”
The union confirmed the news agency about its ‘decision to reject the proposal’ and said it will continue with the ongoing strike.
In brief
Nanjing Hanrui to start cobalt production line in DRC
Chinese firm Nanjing Hanrui Cobalt reportedly expects to start its cobalt production line in the Democratic Republic of Congo.
Production is expected to start in late-November to December Reuters reported, citing the company’s GM Liang Jie.
Nevada Copper says it needs more funding for Pumpkin Hollow mine
Copper producer Nevada Copper said it will need additional funding over the next four months to complete its ramp-up of operations at the Pumpkin Hollow copper project in the US.
Rio Tinto ceases mining activities at Argyle diamond mine in Western Australia
Mining major Rio Tinto has announced the final day of mining activities at its Argyle diamond mine in the Kimberley region of Western Australia. The mine was in operation for a period of 37 years.
Road blockade protest ends at Lundin Gold’s Fruta Del Norte mine
Canadian mining firm Lundin Gold has announced that the blockade that had been hindering transport of supplies and concentrate from the Fruta del Norte gold mine has been lifted.
Metso Outotec to sell operations in Vereeniging, South Africa
Metso Outotec has announced that it will divest its fabrication, machining, and assembly operations, as well as “close or rearrange” the rest of its operations, in Vereeniging, South Africa.
