Fission outlines two-prong strategy as summer exploration campaign is mounted

Flying into Fort McMurray, Alberta, evidence of the gargantuan forest fire the region suffered in May stretched for miles around: blackened trees, burnt branches and buildings turned to ash. The... 

Silver outshines gold with robust H1 performance

While silver is sometimes called “poor man’s gold”, it has nevertheless outshone the yellow metal’s performance in recent months. Silver reached $20.47/oz on the July 11 London Bullion Market... 

Lithium bubble floats higher as investors ignore dangers

Lithium is in a bubble and many investors have taken positions in companies with little prospect of achieving a market presence, let alone creating value, Resource Maven newsletter writer Gwen... 

Average capex overrun for mining companies hits 37% – EDC study

The average cost overrun for mining projects studied by Export Development Canada (EDC) has reached 37% over the capital expenditure (capex) budgeted, EDC managing principal Tin Lwin told an... 

Analyst urges caution as lithium excites and pitfalls multiply

Lithium’s prospects are bright as demand from the battery sector is surging and observers believe it will only get better as more electric vehicles (EV) are produced and new energy storage... 

Average capex overrun for mining companies hits 37% – EDC study

The average cost overrun for mining projects studied by Export Development Canada (EDC) has reached 37% over the capital expenditure (capex) budgeted, EDC managing principal Tin Lwin told an... 

Peruvian mining volumes continue to grow as new president takes helm

The Peruvian mining industry is expected to spur renewed growth in the country as output grows, prices stabilise and revive, several speakers told a recent Peruvian-Canadian Chamber of Commerce... 

Mining companies urged to consider price forecasting with greater care

While predicting future metals prices is a vital tool for assessing the viability of a deposit, a project’s economics or the potential income an operation could expect to generate, the... 

Mining companies urged to consider price forecasting with greater care

While predicting future metals prices is a vital tool for assessing the viability of a deposit, a project’s economics or the potential income an operation could expect to generate, the... 

Latin American Minerals overcoming hurdles to get back on track

Despite strong economic headwinds, several junior and midtier miners were able to advance projects towards near-production or into operation during the downcycle’s trough; however, plenty of others... 

Denham Capital seeks upside advantage during downturn

With most metals reaching a bottom, and many of the ‘zombie juniors’ finally laid to rest, opportunities for private-equity companies to find value and upside potential in the mining space have... 

Mining companies falter on failure to comprehend sustainability

Companies need to think beyond environmental or socio-economic engagement when considering sustainability, Schulich School of Business programme director and Inmet chair Richard Ross told an... 

China sets course for smooth economic transition and commodity price gains

The retreat of commodity prices on the back of China’s economic shift belied rising levels of uptake and the likelihood of an upcycle later in the decade, CRU Group managing consultant Philip... 

Burst bubbles offer salutary lessons for mining industry

Speculative bubbles offered useful templates for those seeking to identify new ones through which value can be realised before their inevitable burst, newsletter writer Mickey Fulp told an audience... 

While lithium opportunities grow, investors urged to maintain caution

The increase in lithium prices has tempted more companies to enter the space and take advantage of the growing market interest, said Disruptive Discoveries Journal newsletter writer Chris Berry at... 

Seniors record sluggish 2015 performance as cycle turns in gold’s favour

Senior mining companies continue to struggle with production costs, reserves depletion and write-downs, according to Adrian Day Asset Management owner Adrian Day, who addressed an audience at the... 

Juniors a safer bet as culling nears completion

Most of the middling- to poor-quality juniors have finally been eradicated or left impotent by the downturn, which have enabled investors to back the survivors with greater certainty, head of... 

Colombia’s six-pillar strategy lays foundations for mining future

Colombia’s newly launched six-pillar mining strategy would boost confidence and investor appeal, said Mines and Energy Vice-Minister María-Isabel Ulloa in an interview with Mining Weekly Online.... 

Ecuador open for business as Lundin advances Fruta del Norte flagship

Lundin Gold’s Fruta del Norte gold project has become a symbol of Ecuador’s desire and confidence to further develop its nascent mining sector. “We’re very happy with Lundin; they’re a world-class... 

Failed mining projects offer critical analytical tools to avoid future disappointment

The capital structures of failed or faltered mines offer important insights when it comes to assessing the potential of future projects, according to Exploration Insights economic geologist and... 

US recovery involves short-term pain and long-term gain for commodities

The US economic recovery placed pressure on metals prices as investors continued to unwind commodities-based positions taken during the resource supercycle, according to Export Development Canada... 

Gold’s breakout heralds boost for smaller producers as seniors lumber behind

Gold’s run so far this year might have surprised several analysts, specifically those who had predicted an annus horribilis for the yellow metal starting mid-2015. Gold certainly came under some... 

Mining’s improving fortunes weighed down by debt

The mining sector was expected to climb out of the downturn’s trough by year-end 2016, Paradigm Capital partner and senior analyst David Davidson told an audience at a recent meeting of the... 

Mining pressed to overcome barriers to secure greater renewable presence

The pace of renewables uptake by mining companies has been weighted down by the economic downturn, excessive capital costs and cultural barriers, an audience at a recent Canadian German Chamber of... 

Renewables require innovation and change of mining industry mindset

The future success of renewables in the mining sector will require companies to overhaul the way they think about energy and mine development, according to professional services firm Deloitte.... 

Renewable energy opportunities rise as costs slide and solutions grow

TORONTO (miningweekly.com) – Despite the tie-up between the renewables market and the mining sector being dynamic and exciting, the high levels of upfront capital expenditure (capex) needed to... 

Diesel price plunge slowed but not stymied renewables uptake

The mining sector’s uptake of renewable energy could be slowed by cheaper diesel in the wake of crude oil’s price plunge, head of energy consulting firm THEnergy Thomas Hillig told an audience at a... 

Another tough year for mining as new approaches offer vision of hope

The downcycle for mining remained in place across 2015 as economic headwinds experienced in many developing-world countries continued to weigh on commodities uptake, Watts, Griffis and McOuat... 

Mining industry must adapt to new mind-set surrounding indigenous engagement

The Canadian and global mining industry must recognise new forms of engagement with indigenous peoples or risk disruption, protest and possible failure, an audience at PwC’s recent Mega Mining... 

Mexico retains appeal for mining investment in tough times

Mexico’s appeal for Canadian mining investment has remained rock solid, with almost $290-million in investment a year secured over the last five years via the TSX and TSX-V, an audience at... 

Colombia makes mining progress as Peru struggles with social issues

Columbia remains a jurisdiction with excellent potential for mining companies and investors, but risks remain, while permitting delays persist. Peru, too, remained a leading jurisdiction for... 

Samarco tailings breach underscores need for industrywide best practise

On November 5, there was a large, destructive breach of tailings dams at an iron-ore mine run by Samarco Mineração, in the Brazilian state of Minas Gerais. It was reported that about ten people had... 

Female discrimination stymies mining industry’s need for new blood

With its baby boomer cohorts retiring in greater numbers, Canada’s mining industry has faced a slow-motion demographic time bomb over recent years. Replacements with less experience are moving up... 

Another listless year for mining belies future opportunities

China’s economic shift and the ongoing debate about a US interest rate rise continue to influence and shape the short-term future of mining and metals, Behre Dolbear senior MD Alastair McIntyre... 

Corruption concerns have increased implications for mining and exploration M&A

Buyers are becoming increasingly wary of corruption issues when buying projects, operations or other companies, and those looking to sell will have to be more mindful of this, says... 

Mining companies urged to steer clear of ‘investment landmines’

Mining companies operating in higher-risk jurisdictions need to remain wary of potential “investment landmines” beyond corruption concerns. That included local employment issues, monitoring... 

CSR increasingly at heart of extractive sector’s business with banks

Extractive and exploration companies needed greater awareness of the banking sector’s view on corporate social responsibility (CSR) and how this informed its willingness to lend, Canadian law firm... 

African opportunities depend on economic corridors, additional infrastructure

Sub-Saharan Africa continued to face transport bottlenecks and difficulties in bringing large-scale infrastructure projects to fruition, despite increased economic growth and growing population... 

Streaming deals continue to evolve, syndication may be seen in future

In hindsight, July 6 could mark an important date for Canada’s streaming companies, as this was the day Silver Wheaton announced receipt of a Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) letter proposing a tax... 

Mining’s long-term outlook positive as urbanisation and infrastructure development intensify

The outlook for the global economy, infrastructure development and mining is not as dismal as many might believe, Deloitte global mining leader Phil Hopwood recently told an audience at the...