Copper closed significantly lower this week after China released new indicators pointing to an economic slowdown. The metal attempted a recovery after the People’s Bank of China (PBoC) cut interest rates to stimulate local demand, but the incentive seemed insufficient in the face of the negative outlook in the real estate and infrastructure sectors. On the Comex, the division for metals at the New York Mercantile Exchange (Nymex), copper with delivery scheduled for October fell
The price of gold was close to its lowest point in over five weeks yesterday, as confirmed by precious metals market traders. The metal is being hindered by the strengthening of the dollar and the yields of U.S. Treasury bonds, at a time when the minutes of the July meeting of the Federal Reserve (Fed) are expected to be released. These minutes could provide clarity on the intention to raise interest rates. Spot gold experienced
The Luele Mine, located in the Eastern region of the country, between the provinces of Lunda-Norte and Lunda-Sul, is expected to commence effective diamond exploration by the end of the year, as announced by the Minister of Mineral Resources, Petroleum, and Gas on Tuesday August 8th. While not disclosing the exact starting month for now, Diamantino Azevedo explained, in statements to the press at the conclusion of his assessment visit to the province of Lunda-Sul,
Australian-based uranium exploration company Elevate Uranium has confirmed the presence of large continuous mineralized zones at its Koppies uranium project in Namibia, and as a result, is advancing drilling activities with the addition of another rig. The company currently has two reverse circulation drill rigs conducting exploratory works at the Koppies project, and has recently added a third rig to the program following confirmation of mineral resources at the Koppies 3 area of the project.
The Ghanaian government has approved the country’s Green Minerals Policy in an effort to maximize value created from critical mineral resources. Aimed at stimulating the development of the local mineral value chain, the policy comprises regulatory guidelines and fiscal terms for critical mineral activities across the country. Specific clauses in the policy document include a national ban on the export of unprocessed minerals. Ghana’s Minister of Lands and Natural Resources Samuel Jinapor explained that the country “is
The Diamond Exchange of Angola will begin experimental operations later this year to revitalize the diamond subsector market and support the diversification of the national economy, as announced on Wednesday in Luanda by the Chairman of the Board of Directors of Endiama, Ganga Júnior. Despite the delay in completing the building that was supposed to house the Diamond Exchange, which was originally scheduled for December 2022, the manager, quoted by Angop, emphasized that the process
Gold mining company AngloGold Ashanti on Friday reaffirmed annual guidance as it reported an improved second-quarter performance compared with the first three months of the year, underpinned by a 12% increase in production. Gold production rose to 652 000 oz in the second quarter of 2023 compared with 584 000 oz in the previous three-month period. The stronger second quarter was supported by production and cost improvements across most assets primarily driven by both higher
The country needed to improve its geological knowledge in order to maintain mining as an important segment of the economy. As he stated, in this sense, policies were outlined by the Executive, implemented by Mirempet, and executed by IGEO under the National Geology Plan (PLANAGEO). “The level of basic geological knowledge becomes a differential when investors choose a country to invest resources in the search for new mineral deposits. Our future challenge will be to
The sale of rough diamonds at Botswana’s Debswana Diamond Co fell 17% in the first six months of the year, data released by the central bank showed, amid a weak market underpinned by global macroeconomic uncertainty. Debswana, a joint venture of Botswana and Anglo American Plc’s unit De Beers, sells 75% of its output to De Beers with the balance taken up by state-owned Okavango Diamond Co. Botswana and De Beers in late June agreed
Gold investment has shown resilience, according to the World Gold Council’s (WGC) ‘Gold Demand Trends’ report for the second quarter, released on August 1, 2023. Despite some softness in certain areas of the market, the report indicates that investment demand remains robust while fabrication demand faces challenges due to high prices and affordability concerns among consumers. The WGC’s projections for investment in the current financial year remain unchanged, thanks to strong over-the-counter (OTC) demand compensating
