Полиметаллическое месторождение Шалкия, расположенное в Кызылординской области, планируется к запуску к концу 2026 года. Здесь будет построена обогатительная фабрика, способная перерабатывать 4 миллиона тонн руды в год. По данным LS, инвестор вложит в проект 323 миллиарда тенге. План горных работ уже готов, а добыча начнется в 2025 году. Уже подписаны контракты на поставку оборудования для обогатительной фабрики, и ведутся торги по выбору подрядчика для строительства. Месторождение принадлежит компании «ШалкияЦинк», входящей в состав «Тау-Кен Самрук». Первоначально планировалось запустить месторождение в 2023 году, однако сроки были перенесены. Месторождение Шалкия богато цинком и свинцом, содержание которых в руде составляет 4,27% и 1,28% соответственно. Запасы, классифицированные по категориям В+С1+С2, оцениваются в 127,5 миллиона тонн. Для извлечения металлов из руды будет использоваться метод селективной флотации, а цинк также пройдет этап тонкого измельчения концентрата флотации.
Month: July 2024
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Shalkiya Polymetallic Deposit to Launch by Late 2026
The Shalkiya polymetallic deposit, located in the Kyzylorda region, is set to commence operations by the end of 2026. The site will feature a beneficiation plant capable of processing 4 million tons of ore annually. According to LS, the investor will inject 323 billion tenge into the project. The mining plan is already in place, with extraction scheduled to begin in 2025. Contracts for equipment supply for the beneficiation plant have been signed, and tenders are underway to select a contractor for the construction phase. The deposit is owned by ShalkiyaZinc, a subsidiary of Tau-Ken Samruk. The initial timeline for launching the deposit was set for 2023, but the plans have since been postponed. The Shalkiya deposit is rich in zinc and lead, with the ore containing 4.27% zinc and 1.28% lead. The reserves, categorized as B+C1+C2, are estimated at 127.5 million tons. The extraction of metals from the ore will utilize selective flotation, with zinc undergoing a fine grinding process for flotation concentrate.
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Thousands Protest in Serbia Against Rio Tinto’s Controversial Lithium Mining Project
In a significant display of public dissent, thousands of protesters rallied on Monday in Sabac, Serbia, voicing strong opposition to the proposed Rio Tinto lithium project. The project, located in Serbia’s lush western region of Jadar, aims to extract lithium—a critical material essential for the batteries used in electric vehicles and mobile devices. Despite its importance, the project has sparked widespread concern among environmental activists and local residents, who fear it could cause irreparable environmental damage.
The demonstrations in Sabac, a city situated about 50 kilometers northeast of the proposed mine site, were part of a broader wave of protests sweeping across the country. Activists, including Biljana Stepanovic from the Proglas (Proclamation) rights organization, addressed the crowd, emphasizing the importance of environmental preservation over technological advancement. “We cannot live without clean air and water, but we can live without lithium batteries and electric cars,” Stepanovic proclaimed, echoing the sentiments of many who attended the rally.
The opposition to the Jadar project is not new. Last week, similar protests were held in several towns across Serbia, and the movement is expected to continue growing. On the same day as the Sabac rally, protests were also organized in three other towns in central Serbia. Demonstrators are demanding the cancellation of the project, citing concerns over air and water quality and the broader ecological impact.
Earlier this month, the Serbian government reinstated Rio Tinto’s license to develop what could become Europe’s largest lithium mine, reversing a decision made over two years ago following intense protests by environmental groups. This decision has reignited public outcry, with many questioning the motives behind the government’s reversal. On July 19, a significant development occurred when Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, and EU energy chief Maros Sefcovic signed an agreement regarding access to raw materials mined in Serbia. Despite reassurances from Scholz that the project would proceed only if it meets EU environmental standards, skepticism remains high among the public.
In response to growing concerns, President Vucic announced that a referendum on the project’s future would be organized by the end of 2025. However, at the Sabac rally, protesters expressed deep distrust in these assurances, with one protester, Sinisa Todorovic, a 52-year-old salesman, stating, “With this project, there will be no future… This means death for the people.” Various green groups have issued a stern warning that they will escalate their actions, potentially blocking major railroads and junctions in August if the government does not halt the project.
The controversy surrounding the Rio Tinto lithium project highlights the tension between economic development and environmental preservation, a debate that is increasingly coming to the forefront in global discussions about sustainable practices and climate change.
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Anglo American Faces Investor Pressure to Close North Yorkshire Mine
Anglo American PLC (LSE) is under pressure from one of its major investors to shut down the Woodsmith fertiliser mine in North Yorkshire, amid growing concerns over the project’s financial viability. Dawid Heyl, a portfolio manager at Ninety One, which owns a 1.5% stake in Anglo valued at approximately £500 million, expressed doubts about the profitability of the venture. “They should just leave it and shutter the whole plan. I don’t think there is a market for polyhalite of that size,” Heyl told the Sunday Times. He further noted that despite the project’s potential impact on local employment, with around 2,000 jobs at stake, the mine is likely to face issues related to demand and pricing that would prevent profitability. This sentiment has been amplified by recent developments, including Anglo’s US$1.6 billion write-down due to site development challenges. A final decision regarding the mine’s future is expected as part of a broader restructuring effort following a failed takeover bid from BHP. The pressure comes after Anglo reported an 8% revenue decline for the first half of 2024, with earnings falling from US$15.7 billion to US$14.5 billion. Despite these setbacks, the company remains optimistic about the Woodsmith project’s potential, citing confidence in its proven project delivery capabilities once financial conditions improve.
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Cove Capital исследует месторождения редкоземельных металлов в Костанайской области Казахстана
Американская инвестиционная компания Cove Capital активно исследует потенциальные месторождения редкоземельных металлов в Костанайской области Казахстана. Партнёром проекта выступает казахстанская компания Казгеология, входящая в структуру «Тау-Кен Самрук». Геологоразведка осуществляется за счёт Cove Capital, как сообщил в интервью казахстанскому изданию «Курсив» управляющий партнёр и учредитель компании Пини Альтхаус.
«Месторождение содержит множество различных редкоземельных металлов, но основное внимание уделяется четырём элементам, используемым для производства постоянных магнитов: неодиму, празеодиму, диспрозию и тербию», — отметил г-н Альтхаус. В месторождении также имеются значительные запасы иттрия, спрос и предложение на который ещё предстоит оценить.
Проект разработки месторождения находится на ранней стадии реализации, и предварительное технико-экономическое обоснование указывает на наличие 380 тысяч тонн редкоземельных металлов. По словам г-на Альтхауса, «проект выглядит многообещающим, поэтому мы в него вложились и надеемся, что это станет крупным редкоземельным проектом».
Тем не менее, рентабельность разработки месторождения пока остаётся под вопросом, так как партнёры должны убедиться в возможности добычи этих высокоценных материалов. «Потребуется несколько лет, чтобы развить ресурс, убедиться, что металлы можно обработать, и что у нас есть запасы. Только тогда мы начнём рассматривать сценарии добычи и её прибыльность», — пояснил управляющий партнёр Cove Capital.
У Cove Capital есть 11 концессий на разработку критически важных материалов, таких как литий, бериллий, тантал, родий, цезий, рубидий и олово в Восточном Казахстане. Cove Capital, представленная здесь дочерней компанией KAZ Critical Minerals, опирается на данные советских геологических изысканий, которые уточняются с использованием новых технологий и методов исследований.
Кроме того, Cove Capital обсуждает с правительством Казахстана возможность постройки завода по обработке редкоземельных металлов, причём объём капитальных вложений в этот проект может достигать 500 млн долларов. Такой завод мог бы стать промышленным хабом и альтернативой экспорту в Китай.
Основанная в 2016 году, Cove Capital занимается инвестициями в горнодобывающую промышленность. Компания реализует проекты по разработке месторождений критически важных минералов, драгоценных и основных металлов в Северной Америке, Австралии, Аргентине и других странах.
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Cove Capital Explores Rare Earth Metals in Kazakhstan’s Kostanay Region
The American investment firm Cove Capital is actively exploring potential rare earth metal deposits in Kazakhstan’s Kostanay region. The project is partnered with the Kazakh company Kazgeology, which is part of the “Tau-Ken Samruk” structure. The geological exploration is being funded by Cove Capital, according to an interview with Pini Althaus, managing partner and founder of the company, published in the Kazakh outlet “Kursiv.”
“The site contains a variety of rare earth metals, with a primary focus on four elements used in the production of permanent magnets: neodymium, praseodymium, dysprosium, and terbium,” said Mr. Althaus. The deposit also has significant reserves of yttrium, for which supply and demand are yet to be fully assessed.
The project is currently in the early stages of implementation, with preliminary feasibility studies indicating the presence of 380,000 tons of rare earth metals. Mr. Althaus noted, “The project looks promising, which is why we invested in it, and we hope it becomes a major rare earth project.”
However, the profitability of the mining operation remains uncertain, as partners need to confirm the feasibility of extracting these high-value materials. “It will take several years to develop the resource, ensure the metals can be processed, and verify our reserves before we start considering mining scenarios and profitability,” explained the managing partner of Cove Capital.
Cove Capital holds 11 concessions for the development of critical materials such as lithium, beryllium, tantalum, rhodium, cesium, rubidium, and tin in Eastern Kazakhstan. Represented by its subsidiary, KAZ Critical Minerals, Cove Capital relies on data from Soviet-era geological surveys, refined with modern technologies and research methods.
Additionally, Cove Capital is in discussions with the Kazakh government regarding the construction of a rare earth metals processing plant, with capital investment potentially reaching $500 million. This facility could serve as an industrial hub and an alternative to exporting these metals to China.
Founded in 2016, Cove Capital invests in the mining industry, with projects focused on critical minerals, precious metals, and base metals in North America, Australia, Argentina, and other countries.
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Environmental Concerns Raised Over Lithium Mining in Serbia
Geologist Branislav Bozovic has voiced significant concerns about the potential environmental impact of lithium mining in Serbia, labeling the idea of “zero pollution” as unrealistic. Bozovic warns that the exploitation of lithium could severely contaminate land and water resources.
“Natural water systems are incredibly interconnected, and contamination can quickly spread, affecting both downstream and upstream ecosystems,” he stated. Azra Berbic, an activist from the Atelier for Social Change Foundation, echoed these concerns, highlighting the shared fears of residents in Bosnia and Herzegovina. “People across the country, not just in eastern Bosnia and Herzegovina, are worried that lithium mining will destroy water, air, and soil, threatening our survival,” she said. Berbic emphasized the widespread mobilization of communities to protect their lands and resources from mining interests, adding, “There’s a strong, unified message: we will not allow our land and heritage to be touched.”
Bozovic also referenced the failure of projects like the Belgrade metro, which threatened vital underground water sources, as a cautionary tale. He cited past incidents of rapid contamination, such as the pollution in Gracanica following mining activities, to underscore the serious risks posed by mining. Both experts stressed the need for vigilance and community action to prevent environmental degradation. “The idea of zero pollution is a myth. We must recognize and address the real dangers to our natural resources,” Bozovic concluded.
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Almalyk Mining and Metallurgical Complex Begins Granulated Production of Gold, Silver, and Copper
The Almalyk Mining and Metallurgical Complex (AGMK) has recently commenced the production of gold, silver, and copper in granulated form. According to company information, granulated gold is extensively used in the jewelryindustry, medicine, radioelectronics, microelectronics, the chemical industry, and the manufacturing of measuring instruments.
In the jewelry industry, losses increase during the melting of bars and other mechanical processes, leading to financial losses for jewelers. The use of gold and silver granules helps reduce the cost of jewelry items and improve their quality. Moreover, raw materials in granulated form are a key requirement of leading manufacturers in the modern jewelry industry.
In addition, AGMK specialists have also established the production of granulated copper. After analyzing the market, the company plans to start producing granules from other non-ferrous metals.
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Strickland Metals Discovers Significant Anomaly at Rogozna Gold Project in Serbia
Australian mining company Strickland Metals announced the discovery of a significant near-surface anomaly at the Obradov Potok target area of its Rogozna gold and base metals project in southern Serbia. Preliminary results from an induced polarisation survey revealed a strong chargeability anomaly beginning 100 meters below the surface, extending approximately 400 meters in strike length. This anomaly is closely associated with strong gold and pathfinder anomalism in the soil, suggesting extensive mineralisation in the area. Strickland Metals currently operates four drilling rigs at Rogozna, with four holes completed so far. The Rogozna site, with an estimated 5.44-million-ounce gold equivalent, has the potential to become one of the largest undeveloped gold deposits globally. Additionally, Strickland Metals recently secured a binding agreement with Ibaera Capital Fund’s subsidiary ISIHC to acquire Betoota Holdings for $37 million, which includes four exploration licenses within the Rogozna project.
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Serbia Launches the Lithium-Turbo Project in Partnership with the EU
Serbia has embarked on the Lithium-Turbo project, capitalizing on its rich lithium reserves. The initiative marks a significant step in Serbia’s growing economic ties with the European Union, facilitated by a new raw material agreement. This partnership aims to exploit the lithium deposits in the Serbian Jadar Valley, potentially making Serbia the first European country to manage the entire value chain from mining to electric vehicle production. Michael Harms, Managing Director at the Eastern Committee of German Business, highlighted the geopolitical importance of the deal, noting that it diminishes China’s role in the region. The EU stands to benefit from reduced dependence on Chinese lithium and shorter transport routes. However, the project is not without political complications, as Serbia continues to maintain complex relationships with Russia, China, and the EU. Additionally, domestic opposition persists, with Serbian environmental activists expressing concerns over potential impacts on arable land and groundwater.