In recent years, concerns over the ethical and environmental impact of mining have grown, prompting a global push for responsible and sustainable practices within the industry. The issue of “blood metals,” which are minerals extracted from conflict zones or areas with poor labor practices, has particularly gained attention. In response to this mounting awareness, Avalon…
Gold prices recovered on Thursday after the European Central Bank (ECB) raised interest rates higher than expected. The ECB increased its deposit rate by 10 basis points to -0.40 percent, a move that was widely expected by economists. The central bank also announced that it would begin to reduce its bond-buying program, known as quantitative…
Anglo American’s diamond unit, De Beers Group, has recently reported a decline in its financial results, thereby taking some of the sparkle away from the company’s overall performance. This setback comes amidst a challenging period for the diamond industry, which has been grappling with various economic and market factors. The decline in De Beers’ results…
Mosaic Co., one of the world’s largest producers of potash fertilizer, has announced plans to reduce production at its Colonsay potash mine in Saskatchewan, Canada. The move is part of a broader strategy to reduce costs and streamline the company’s operations in the face of a challenging market environment. The Colonsay mine is one of…
Gold is a precious metal that has been recognized for its value since ancient times. It has been used as money, as a medium of exchange, and as a store of value. But despite its long history and its many uses, gold often gets overlooked or “no respect” in comparison to other metals. This is…
A recently identified mineral, named kanatzidisite, was found in the mining dumps of the abandoned Nagybörzsöny gold deposit at Alsó-Rózsa in northern Hungary. Kanatzidisite, belonging to the class of materials known as chalcogenides, has historical usage in copper production and modern applications in catalytic reactions for fuel production, solar cells, and various materials. This novel…
Lithium Americas Corporation, a leading global lithium producer and developer, has announced its plans to restart its Cauchari-Olaroz lithium project in Argentina. The project is located in the Jujuy province of the country and is one of the world’s largest and highest-grade lithium brine deposits. The project was suspended in 2018 due to a lack…
Lithium miners in China have resumed operations after a government investigation into the industry found no evidence of price fixing or other illegal activities. The investigation, which was launched in August, was prompted by complaints from some of China’s biggest lithium producers that the industry was being manipulated by a few large players. The Chinese…
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…
