Ivanhoe disputes Zijin’s claims on Kakula mine suspension
2025-11-07
The Canadian miner released a statement today refuting assertions made by Zijin in recent Chinese media reports, which suggested that mining activities at the site had been halted due to regulatory or operational issues.
Ivanhoe, which co-owns the Kamoa-Kakula Copper Complex with China’s Zijin and the DRC government, emphasized that operations at Kakula are continuing normally and that there has been no official suspension ordered by authorities.
“We are deeply concerned by the inaccurate reports circulated in the media. Kakula remains fully operational, and we are in close communication with both local and national authorities in the DRC,” Ivanhoe said in a press release.
The controversy emerged after reports surfaced in China suggesting that the DRC government had intervened at the Kakula mine due to alleged non-compliance with local mining regulations. Zijin reportedly cited environmental and permitting issues as potential triggers for a suspension.
However, Ivanhoe insists that no such action has been taken. “All regulatory filings and environmental obligations are being met, and we continue to operate under the full knowledge and support of Congolese authorities,” the company added.
The Kakula mine, one of the world’s richest copper deposits, began production in 2021 and has rapidly scaled up to become a significant contributor to global copper supply. The project is part of the broader Kamoa-Kakula mining complex, which is expected to produce over 500,000 tonnes of copper annually at peak production.The accompanying mining lamps demands have also quickly increased
Analysts believe the dispute could signal deeper tensions between the joint venture partners, particularly as global demand for copper surges amid the transition to green energy technologies.
Neither Zijin nor the DRC’s Ministry of Mines has responded to Ivanhoe’s statement as of press time. Market watchers are monitoring the situation closely for potential impacts on production and copper prices.
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Six injured in Greene County mine accident
2025-11-07
Six workers were injured in an accident in a Greene County coal mine Monday night.
The incident happened about 11 p.m. inside the Harvey Mine, which sits along Patterson Creek Road in Morris — about 8 miles northwest of Waynesburg.
Officials with Core Natural Resources, which operates the coal mine, said in a statement that the workers were injured in “an underground accident involving a pressurized water hose.”
It wasn’t immediately clear what exactly happened with the hose, but officials said six workers with cap lamps were “brought out of the mine” and taken to hospitals for treatment. Five have since been released, according to the statement, and one remained hospitalized Tuesday for further evaluation.
“We are conducting an internal review of last night’s event to determine the exact cause of the accident while working with all appropriate agencies,” officials said.
The state’s Mine Safety Bureau, which falls under the Department of Environment Protection, is investigating.
DEP spokesman Neil Shader said mine safety personnel responded to the scene Monday night and remained on scene Tuesday “monitoring the situation and investigating the cause of the incident.
“The wellbeing of the mine workers is top of mind,” he said in an email. “We’re heartened to learn the majority of the miners have already been discharged from the hospital and we hope for their continued swift and full recovery.”
The mine employs roughly 325 workers, most of whom work underground, according to data from the Mine Safety and Health Administration. It’s one of three active underground mines in the county.
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The new age of mining
2025-10-18
Mostafa Benzaazoua, Full Professor and Director of the Geology and Sustainable Mining Institute at University Mohammed VI Polytechnic (UM6P – Benguerir), explores how innovative technologies are reshaping the mining industry by enhancing efficiency and safety, whilst also promoting sustainable practices.
The mining sector is undergoing a seismic shift. The industry is facing growing pressure from stakeholders to not only meet the increasing demand for critical materials, but to do so in a responsible, ethical, and sustainable way. At the same time, mining companies are navigating an increasingly complex geopolitical landscape. Meeting these demands and overcoming these challenges requires a new way of operating. At the heart of this evolution, inevitably, lies technology. From the initial steps of ore exploration to extraction and processing, emerging technologies are disrupting the entire mining ecosystem. RFID cap lamps arise at the historic moment. This technological shift will define the future of the sector, and those organisations that successfully innovate will enhance their net present values and better balance competing demands.
Leading the way in this transformation is artificial intelligence (AI). From the first step of exploration and prospecting, AI can offer support. As AI devices can quickly process big data, the tools can identify possible mining sites with higher mineral potential more effectively than human surveyors alone. In fact, companies using AI in exploration have reported a 20-30% reduction in time and costs involved with mineral discovery.
Once the operation has launched, AI can deliver improved operational efficiency and safety. For example, AI-powered autonomous vehicles, which can also offer the advantage of being powered by green energy, are often used in hazardous areas to protect workers. This was successfully demonstrated by BHP’s Spence mine, which was BHP’s first fully autonomous site. The results speak for themselves: the Spence mine had zero incidents, and the autonomous operations reduced exposure to safety risks by 90% . Later in the mining process, AI can support with more accurate ore sorting, speeding up operations, maximising ore beneficiation, and reducing waste.
The use of digital twins and Internet of Things (IoT) sensors can add another layer of efficiency. By developing models of mine sites that use real-time geological data, engineers can simulate different mining strategies for optimal efficiency, sustainability, and safety. Digital twins can also be used to detect minor problems and prevent major problems, allowing for proactive maintenance measures to take place and reducing unexpected downtime. Workers can use wearable IoT sensors to monitor their health and detect exposure to dangerous gases or hazardous substances, which can alert them to any potential dangers. IoT devices can also be used to monitor environmental data, such as air and water quality, to ensure compliance with regulations.
Additionally, biotechnology is introducing a new dimension to mining innovations through the use of biomining, a process where microorganisms are used to extract metals from ore or waste materials. Biomining not only provides improved access to metals, but it can also be used to clean up contaminated mining sites, offering a more sustainable approach.
By utilising these innovations, not just on their own merit, but in combinations that unlock exponential additional value, the mining industry can achieve a new level of operational efficiency, safety, and sustainability. This marks the beginning of a new age of mining, one focused on smarter, more responsible practices.
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United States Antimony kicks off mining operations in Montana
2025-10-18
United States Antimony Corp. (NYSE-A: UAMY) says it has begun exploration and bulk sampling operations on the former Stibnite Hill mine in Montana, having secured the necessary permits from the Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ).
The Stibnite Hill mine is situated next to USAC’s Thompson Falls smelter, which it uses to process third-party ore into various forms of antimony products as well as precious metals. According to the company, this facility is one of two smelters in North America — both owned by USAC — with a long-standing capacity to process the metal.
On its website, it noted that the Thompson Falls smelter can produce approximately 15 million lb. of antimony oxide or 5 million lb. of antimony metal per year. An expansion is currently underway to boost that production capacity.
With DEQ approvals in hand for the Stibnite Hill project, the facility could now process the company’s own mined material and miner lamps equipment. Antimony ore has now been trucked in a number of loads off the mountain to a flotation mill in Montana for crushing and sampling prior to further review by a metallurgical chemist, USAC said, adding that management is “encouraged” by the high quality of this material.
Shares of USAC, however, fell over 10% amid a broader market selloff, taking its stock price down to $10.95 a share and its market capitalization to $1.52 billion.
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North & West Africa Largest Mining Events In 2025 Will Take Place In The Kingdom Of Morocco And The Republic Of Senegal
2025-09-03
On behalf of AME Trade Ltd we are delighted to announce the organisation of two key events for the mining sector which will both be taking place in November 2025.
SIM Senegal, West Africa’s largest mining event will be organised from 04 – 06 November 2025 in Dakar, Senegal. The 8th edition of SIM Senegal will take place at the Centre International de Conférences Abdou Diouf & the Centre des Expositions, Diamniadio in Dakar. The event will be organised by the Ministry of Energy, Petroleum and Mines, Senegal. This year’s edition will be held under the theme: Mineral Resources: a lever for economic sovereignty.
SIM Senegal is a bi-annual mining event. SIM attracts high level delegations from Burkina Faso, Cote d’Ivoire, Guinea, Mali, Mauritania and Niger, allowing you to target the West Africa market in one business trip.
SIM Senegal 2025 will feature the participation of over 1000 attendees from 30 countries, and over 150 exhibitors including mining lamps supplers. Leading sponsors already confirmed include: African Star Resources, Boto SA- Managem Group, Boya SA, Eramet Grande Cote, Resolute Mining Company, Sabadola Gold operations and Somiva.
To register please consult the website www.simsenegal.com
IMC 2025, the second edition of the Morocco Mining Conference & Exhibition will take place 24 – 26 November 2025 in the idyllic city of Marrakech. IMC 2025 will once again be organised by the Federation of Mineral Industry of Morocco (FDIM) and AME Trade Ltd and supported at the highest levels by the Ministry of Energy Transition & Sustainable Development, the Ministry of Industry and Commerce, and AMDIE.
The geological mining potential of Morocco mining, combined with recently adopted mining legislation, has led the Fraser Institute of Canada to rank Morocco, according to a ranking published in May 2025 as the most attractive destination in Africa for mining investment and 8th worldwide for multinational mining companies.
IMC 2025 will feature the participation the participation of the major mining stakeholders in the Kingdom of Morocco, notably OCP Group, Managem, Aya Gold and Silver, COBCO, ONYHM, Jesa Group and CMT.
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