Industrial Minerals

Latest News

• Acron to start phosrock production in June at Oleniy Ruchey Friday, February 03, 2012

  Russian fertiliser manufacturer targets 200,000 tonnes for 2012; 1m tonnes in 2013 Read More

• Current mining regulations adequate, says Wisconsin DNR Friday, February 03, 2012

  Report assesses threats of frac sand mining to health and environment Read More

• Mosaic cuts potash production by 20% through to May Friday, February 03, 2012

  Uncertainty lowers near-term demand but farmer economics remain strong, says CEO Read More

• IM Global Rare Earths Roundup: 27 January - 3 February Friday, February 03, 2012

  A brief look at the rest of the week’s rare earth stories in the news Read More

• Correction: Pilkington Glass withdraw plans for Finnish plant Friday, February 03, 2012

  Plant remains closed, no further investment planned following November decision Read More

• IM Global Lithium Roundup: 27 January - 3 February Friday, February 03, 2012

  A brief look at the rest of the week’s lithium stories in the news Read More

• Potash not affected by earthquake in Saskatchewan Friday, February 03, 2012

  “Tremors common” in the Canadian potash-rich region; no impact for last shake Read More

• Grafen to use Northern Graphite material for graphene research Friday, February 03, 2012

  Junior holds 50% of North American patent rights for “products and processes” Read More

• Antimony trioxide prices increase as smelters closed Thursday, February 02, 2012

  China authorities close all smelters in Hechi and Yizhou after poisoning incident Read More

• Phosphate rock prices forecast to drop 25% in 2012 Thursday, February 02, 2012

  New Middle East supply and economic uncertainty push down prices - Credit Suisse Read More

• Rusal doubles stake in fluorspar group Yaroslavsk to 100% Thursday, February 02, 2012

  Russian aluminium leader strengthens fluorspar supply security with acquisition Read More

• UPDATE: No appeal route for China in WTO ruling Thursday, February 02, 2012

  China must take action to conform to WTO obligations – lawyer Read More

• Malaysia approves Lynas rare earths plant Thursday, February 02, 2012

  Lynas must submit plans for waste disposal, but gets green light for start-up Read More

• GHCL posts increase in sales and profit for soda ash arm Thursday, February 02, 2012

  Market value down by $12m year on year on “market volatility” Read More

• South African institute develops reclaimed PCC process Thursday, February 02, 2012

  Waste treatment process yields high purity precipitated calcium carbonate Read More

• Zimbabwe boosts graphite output in 2011 Thursday, February 02, 2012

  Africa’s only natural graphite producer increases output by 80% on world shortage Read More

• Baltic Dry Index crashes to 25-year lows Thursday, February 02, 2012

  Further falls mean charter rates drop below operating costs; China bans Valemaxes Read More

• Price Briefing — 26 January- 2 February 2012 Thursday, February 02, 2012

  Market awaits China return; poisoning incident leads to higher antimony prices Read More

• Rio Tinto acquires BHP stake in Richards Bay Minerals Wednesday, February 01, 2012

  BHP exits minsands industry, selling 37% stake in South African JV Read More

• BHP/PotashCorp deal targeted by China-based hackers in 2010 Wednesday, February 01, 2012

  Hackers were looking for data to rival BHP takeover bid says Canadian security firm Read More

• Pilkington Glass to restart production at Finnish plant Wednesday, February 01, 2012

  Sibelco Nordic said Pilkington "significant customer" for silica sand, feldspar Read More

• US accuses businessman of stealing DuPont trade secrets Wednesday, February 01, 2012

  Prosecutors work to keep man jailed prior to court date; follows December arrest Read More

• Chile’s Molymet acquires 13% of Molycorp for $390m Wednesday, February 01, 2012

  Investment from molybdenum and rhenium group to fund vertical integration Read More

• Oman mineral-focused port preparing for early operations Tuesday, January 31, 2012

  Port offers to help investors delineate extraction zones and obtain permits Read More

• USGS reports rise in mineral value in 2011; bucks recession trend Tuesday, January 31, 2012

  Non-metallic sector value up by 3%, led by ilmenite, rutile price rise; soda ash flat Read More

• “Africa could become continent of the future for raw materials” Tuesday, January 31, 2012

  But better governance & smarter investment needed to boost mineral production Read More

• Minemakers’ Wonarah phosphate project delayed by four years Tuesday, January 31, 2012

  Australian junior eyes 2015 for production; pending deal with India’s NMDC Read More

• China loses appeal at WTO over raw materials export duties Monday, January 30, 2012

  Body upholds initial ruling but quashes minimum export agreement complaints Read More

• Morocco’s OCP phosphate output unaffected by strike in Safi Monday, January 30, 2012

  Trade union “warning” to phosphate giant; but union “against blocking production” Read More

• Targray Technology silicon carbide deal with Washington Mills Monday, January 30, 2012

  Canadian photovoltaic materials supplier signs Taiwan SiC distribution deal Read More

• Energizer Resources adds DRA Mineral Projects to team Monday, January 30, 2012

  Further drilling required for high grade graphite resource in Madagascar Read More

• IM Global Rare Earths Roundup: 20-27 January Friday, January 27, 2012

  A brief look at the rest of the week’s rare earth stories in the news Read More

• IM Global Lithium Roundup: 20-27 January Friday, January 27, 2012

  Exploration progress made in Argentina; new Galaxy plant eyed for Jiangsu, China Read More

• Amcol’s Q4 2011 operating profit grows 64% to $18.1m Friday, January 27, 2012

  Pet sales hit, but price increases drive 80% of mineral division’s gross profit Read More

• Mantec consolidates UK technical ceramics subsidiaries Friday, January 27, 2012

  Ceramic aggregate, filtration manufacturers combined under Mantec Technical Ceramics Read More

• Head of major Indian state calls for ban on chromite exports Thursday, January 26, 2012

  Claims only 66m tonnes of chromite left in India; encourages Zimbabwe-like ban Read More

• Ilmenite prices more than tripled in last 12 months – Kenmare Thursday, January 26, 2012

  Mineral sands group says contracts secured at $300-400/tonne for first half of 2012 Read More

• PotashCorp Q4 results positive but miss expectations Thursday, January 26, 2012

  Global uncertainty affects phosphate & potash sales; but potash prices remain high Read More

• Uralkali does not see drop in potash prices for 2012 Thursday, January 26, 2012

  Russian producer expects prices to remain high as “farmers can afford to pay more” Read More

• Eriez Magnetics Europe expands UK manufacturing operations Thursday, January 26, 2012

  Magnetic separation technology group acquires 1,700 m2 site for expansion Read More

• US needs rare earths strategy, say industry experts Thursday, January 26, 2012

  Government told to act now to boost future competitiveness in green- tech markets Read More

• Beleaguered shipping rates decline further Thursday, January 26, 2012

  Fall in Baltic Dry Index continues, despite Vale lifting flooding force majeure Read More

• Nine feared dead after phosphate mine collapses in Pakistan Thursday, January 26, 2012

  Collapsed mine thought to be an illegal quarry in Hazara region Read More

• Price Briefing – 20-26 January 2012 Thursday, January 26, 2012

  Ilmenite prices triple year on year; Uralkali forecasts potash to remain high in ‘12 Read More

• Roullier Group acquires Possehl’s stake in Van Mannekus Wednesday, January 25, 2012

  French group jointly owns Van Mannekus with Grecian Magnesite Read More

• LSM12: Production costs will determine project survival Wednesday, January 25, 2012

  Delegates in Argentina exchange terse words following supply outlooks Read More

• DuPont TiO2 business posts 33% profit rise on price hikes Wednesday, January 25, 2012

  World’s largest TiO2 producer reports strong quarter, but sees drop in Asia demand Read More

• KaMin pressured by environmental group over creek spill Wednesday, January 25, 2012

  Savannah Riverkeep delivers 60-day notice of potential Georgia kaolin leak lawsuit Read More

• LSM12: FMC forecasts doubling of lithium demand by 2020 Wednesday, January 25, 2012

  Energy main driver; company to produce 50k tpa potash from Salar del Hombre Muerto Read More

• Vale concludes full acquisition of Vale Fertilizantes Wednesday, January 25, 2012

  Brazilian group owns 100% of fertiliser subsidiary after acquiring minority stake Read More