The Biden Administration is advancing its environmental objectives by pledging that the United States will not construct any new coal plants and will gradually eliminate existing ones. U.S. Special Envoy for Climate John Kerry made this announcement at the annual United Nations climate summit, COP28, held in Dubai, though no specific timeline was provided for…
The competition for mined copper resources is anticipated to increase, posing a challenge to Chinese firms responsible for half of the world’s refined copper production. Despite significant output cuts affecting the metal market, it is unlikely that these cuts will be substantial. Chinese copper producers, primarily state-owned, face pressure to uphold or elevate production targets…
Since the turn of the century, Canada has fallen from its standing as the world’s leading producer of minerals. Economic analyses estimate that for the globe’s top 10 countries, Canada’s rankings have dropped from the top or near-top producer in most minerals, to as low as the 8th or 9th in the rankings. A newly…
Zimbabwe has accused the United States of lying about the use of forced labour in its diamond-mining industry. The US State Department released a report in February this year that alleged that the Zimbabwean government was using forced labour in the diamond-mining sector, in particular in the Marange diamond fields. The report said that the…
Dubai, known for its gleaming skyscrapers, luxury shopping, and bustling trade, has been grappling with a dark shadow over its reputation in recent years – the issue of smuggled African gold. Despite its efforts to establish itself as a global hub for legitimate gold trade, reports of illicit gold trafficking from Africa have tarnished Dubai’s…
The future of the global mining industry is closely connected to the future of the global mining workforce. As the world enters an era of major technological advances, the global mining workforce is increasingly being shaped by the impact of automation, digitalization, and the rise of robotics. Automation is rapidly replacing manual labor in the…
Norway, known for its stunning fjords, rich marine biodiversity, and commitment to environmental conservation, is now considering a groundbreaking step that has sparked both excitement and concern among experts and environmentalists alike. The country is contemplating the possibility of opening a Germany-sized area to deep-sea mining, a move that could have far-reaching consequences for the…
Former executives from Fortescue’s clean energy initiatives, Michael Masterman and Bart Kolodziejczyk, have initiated a startup focused on reducing carbon emissions in the Australian iron ore sector. Notably, their approach differs from the hydrogen and membrane technology endorsed by their previous employer. Having secured $10 million in seed funding this week, primarily from venture capital…
On Wednesday, the International Council on Mining and Metals (ICMM) announced its decision to abstain from engagement in exploration-related activities within world heritage sites. Instead, the focus will be directed towards ensuring the absence of any net loss of biodiversity at all mining sites. Amidst the ongoing proceedings at the World Economic Forum in Davos,…
Deep seabed mining focuses on recovering critical minerals from the ocean floor. These resources—such as manganese, nickel, cobalt, copper, and rare earth elements—are essential for many modern technologies, including defense systems, batteries, smartphones, and medical devices. Because these minerals are used across so many industries, securing steady access to them is increasingly seen as an…
