Supply Developments

• Nationalisation not viable, says South African mining minister 07 February 2012

  Susan Shabangu welcomes ANC’s report results on mining nationalisation Read More

• Canadian Wollastonite to start mining this year at St Lawrence 07 February 2012

  Project in the home straight but slowed down by inhabitants’ appeal over water issue Read More

• Frac sand boom drives re-opening of Michigan mine 06 February 2012

  Sargent Sand Co. to restart production; 300,000 tonnes planned in first year Read More

• Rockwood invests $140m in Chile lithium plant 06 February 2012

  New 20,000 tpa project will go towards doubling US group’s capacity by 2013 Read More

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

• Potash not affected by earthquake in Saskatchewan 03 February 2012

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

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

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

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

  Russian aluminium leader strengthens fluorspar supply security with acquisition Read More

• Zimbabwe boosts graphite output in 2011 02 February 2012

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

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

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

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

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

• Malaysia approves Lynas rare earths plant 02 February 2012

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

  Canadian photovoltaic materials supplier signs Taiwan SiC distribution deal Read More

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

• PotashCorp Q4 results positive but miss expectations 26 January 2012

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

• Industrial Minerals Prices February 2012

  Read More

• Price Briefing: New Year, new price - minerals respond to fluctuating world markets

  The start of the year saw many mineral grades increasing in value as producers upped their prices to cope with hikes in energy, freight and tight global market fundamentals Read More

• Projects in the Pipeline: Kaolin bounces back

  It has been a difficult couple of years for kaolin as the global recession spread to its end user markets, but a recent recovery in demand has also encouraged a surge of new operations and exploration projects Read More

• Supply Situation Report: New players emerge to challenge China rare earth dominance

  Lynas, Molycorp lead the pack; Chinese REO demand could top 130,000 tpa by 2015; Juniors hit by falling prices Read More

• Mexichem expands acidspar with Fluorita de Mexico buy

  Consolidation of Mexican fluorspar Mexichem which tops capacity to 1m tonnes; Shen Zhou acquires Chinese fluorspar, barytes Read More

• US aggregates majors lock horns over hostile bid

  Vulcan says $4.8bn bid by Martin Marietta Materials undervalues assets; Vuclcan management accused of scare tactics; US antitrust watchdog requests details on operations Read More

• Mild weather in the US leads to salt oversupply

  Cargill closes three mines; Compass announces sales drop; Cold weather expected for Q1 2012 Read More

• What will 2012 hold for the mining industry?

  Deloitte warns difficult year for mining; Rising costs of doing business; Commodity price chaos; Australian royalties pressure Read More

• PotashCorp continues potash shutdown policy

  North American producer extends shutdown to 3 March; Uralkali’s output up 6.4% in 2011; Canpotex out of BHP’s plans Read More

• India’s Gujarat Heavy Chemicals served soda ash closure notice

  GHCL pollution reprimanded; New Saudi Arabia plant commissioned; Gypsum by-product eyed Read More

• Minerals braced for bumpy 2012

  The year 2012 expected to be another volatile ride for industrial minerals prices, dragged down by the European debt crisis and China’s property bubble. But better H2 on the cards Read More

• “World’s largest” lithium battery plant built in Siberia

  Joint $430m Russo-Chinese investment; could take 10-15% market share by 2015 Read More

• China quotas unlikely to curb rare earth price drop

  China’s 2012 quotas are expected to remain unchanged but new quotas policy could squeeze heavy elements supply. Lower prices forecast in 2012 after 2011 highs Read More

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

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

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

  French group jointly owns Van Mannekus with Grecian Magnesite Read More

• LSM12: Lithium Americas feasibility study expected in next month 25 January 2012

  Agreement signed with aboriginal community in northern Argentina Read More

• Vale concludes full acquisition of Vale Fertilizantes 25 January 2012

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

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

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

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

  Delegates in Argentina exchange terse words following supply outlooks Read More

• EU report outlines ambitions to recover minerals from waste 24 January 2012

  Implementing full waste legislation could save EU €72bn a year, Commission says Read More

• Lynas secures A$225m funding to complete Malaysia plant 24 January 2012

  Rare earths group issues convertible bonds through Mount Kellett Capital Managment Read More

• Marifil Mines to acquire Argentina potash project 24 January 2012

  Canadian company signs LOI for potash property near Vale’s Rio Colorado, Argentina Read More

• Gulf Industrials completes Uganda vermiculite production run 24 January 2012

  But suffers early setbacks from power failure and rain; looks to expand capacity Read More