WOMP

BHP presented a plan for Chile that includes projects at the Escondida mine, Pampa Norte and the development of proprietary technologies to maximize copper production at its sites. This is the largest investment made by BHP in Chile since 1990. Much of the budget (78%) will be allocated to Escondida, the largest copper mine in the world.

Teck Resources recently presented a strategy to grow copper production to 800,000 metric tons per year (mt/y) before the end of the decade. “Teck is uniquely positioned in our industry, with the ability to deliver transformative near-term copper growth,” said Jonathan Price, president and CEO, Teck Resources.

Vale Launches a Tailings-free Iron Ore Mine The Capanema mine (above) will use dry processing to eliminate tailings. (Photo: Vale) Vale has started the commissioning of the Capanema Maximization Project, near Itabirito in Minas Gerais, Brazil. The site is part of Vale’s Operational Complex in Mariana and is expected to increase iron ore production by approximately 15 million metric tons per year (mt/y).

Armada Metals Ltd. completed its acquisition of Midwest Lithium Ltd. in an all-share transaction valued at $2.3 million. Both companies are Australian-held juniors. Midwest holds various hard rock lithium projects in the USA, including the right to acquire a 100% interest in 1,098 unpatented lode mining claims covering approximately 93 km2 in the Black Hills of South Dakota, USA. Several companies actively exploring in the Black Hills region, including Iris Metals, Patriot Lithium and United Lithium.

Miners are increasingly turning to autonomous technologies to drive greater efficiencies, boost safety and lower their operating costs. (Photo: Caterpillar) The popularity of autonomous mining solutions continues to grow as open-pit operations across the globe look to leverage the productivity increases, safety and maintenance benefits and lower operating costs that these systems can offer.

Ascot Finds Funds to Restart Development Development will resume at Big Missouri to support the restart of the Premier mine. (Photo: Ascot) Ascot Resources Ltd., which suspended gold mining and processing operations in British Columbia, Canada, has closed on senior secured debt financing, including approximately $7.5 million from Sprott Private Resource Streaming and Royalty.

Rio Tinto and Sumitomo Metal Mining (SMM) signed a term sheet for a joint venture to deliver the Winu copper-gold project, located in the Great Sandy Desert region of Western Australia. Under the agreement, which includes exclusivity obligations to work toward a binding definitive agreement, Rio Tinto will continue to develop and operate Winu as managing partner, and SMM will pay Rio Tinto $399 million for a 30% equity share of the project.

Lubrication skids have become a popular feature for mechanic trucks. (Photo: Stellar) On-site support is vital for the large equipment operating at today’s open-pit mining operations. Whether it’s delivering fuel in a timely fashion or routine maintenance (or unscheduled maintenance), service trucks play an important role in this area. The original equipment manufacturers (OEMS) that design and build these systems continue to make improvements. Stellar Industries is a leader in this area.

Texas Attorney General (AG) Ken Paxton sued BlackRock, State Street Corp., and Vanguard Group, three of the largest institutional investors, for conspiring to artificially constrict the market for coal through anticompetitive trade practices. Over several years, the three asset managers acquired substantial stockholdings in every significant publicly held coal producer in the USA, thereby gaining the power to control the policies of the coal companies.

During November, Resolute Mining, which operates the Syama gold mine in Mali, paid the Malian government $160 million to release three executives. Shortly afterwards, the Malian government charged and detained four Barrick Gold employees.