Aclara Resources said the initial inferred mineral resource for its regolith-hosted ion adsorption clay project in central Brazil is estimated at 168 million tonnes with a grade of 1,510 ppm total rare earth oxide and 477 ppm desorbable rare earth oxide. “The combination of its large size and attractive grades makes the Carina Module an outstanding deposit of ionic clays…
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Lomas Bayas begins autonomous operations
Glencore has announced that, through Lomas Lab, it is seeking to become a world leader in the development of technologies associated with Mining 4.0, centered from its Minera Lomas Bayas copper operation in Sierra Gorda within the Antofagasta region. After its launch on the 25th anniversary, Minera Lomas Bayas has continued to develop the Lomas Lab, the technology creation initiative…
Read MoreAntofagasta, workers union begin mediation
Chilean copper miner Antofagasta and a union representing workers at its Centinela mine began a government mediation process on December 5 to avoid a potential strike, reported Reuters. Last month, the workers union, which represents nearly 400 employees, overwhelmingly rejected a contract proposal from Antofagasta, causing the miner to request mediation from the Chilean government. The mediation process will last…
Read MoreArmed men kill nine at Peruvian mine
Peru’s Interior Ministry confirmed that nine people were killed and 15 injured after armed men raided a Poderosa mine in the Pataz province, reported Reuters. Police have “taken control of the situation,” seven people have been arrested and weapons seized, the ministry said in a statement. The attackers entered the mine shaft using explosive charges, “violently confronting internal security personnel…
Read MoreFirst Quantum forced to halt Cobre Panama production
Canadian miner First Quantum Minerals has suspended commercial production at its flagship Cobre Panama copper mine in Panama after the country’s Supreme Court ruled its contract as unconstitutional, reported Reuters. President Laurentino Cortizo said in a televised address that “the orderly and safe closure of the mine” would begin as soon as the ruling was formerly published in the official…
Read MoreBacTech gets government greenlight for bioleach facility
BacTech Environmental has been granted a final environmental license permit approval by the Ministry of the Government for Ecuador, giving it approval to move forward with its plans to develop a bioleach processing facility in Tenguel. The Toronto company, which has been working to commercialize its proprietary technology to remediate highly toxic tailing areas resulting from abandoned mining operations, confirmed…
Read MoreProtests impact First Quantum Cobre Panama
Ore processing operations at the Cobre Panama copper complex have been reduced as a result of an illegal blockade of the mine’s port. Officials said small boats at the Punta Rincón port are being held up, causing it to ramp down one ore processing train, leaving just two operational, and also impacting supply deliveries for the site’s power generation plant,…
Read MoreRio Tinto to explore Chile through Codelco JV
Rio Tinto has entered a joint venture with Corporación Nacional del Cobre de Chile (Codelco) to explore and potentially develop the company’s assets in Chile’s prospective Atacama region. The companies will start their joint exploration project at Agua de la Falda. Rio Tinto recently completed the acquisition of PanAmerican Silver’s 57.74% stake in the asset for $45 million and the…
Read MorePanama halts new mining projects
Panama President Laurentino Cortizo declared a total ban on all new mining projects, effective October 27, reported Reuters. Cortizo said the new restriction will apply to both future mining projects as well as those currently seeking permits. The abrupt halt comes as the government defends a controversial extension of First Quantum’s Cobre Panama contract. The deal guarantees the country an…
Read MorePronto partners with SA company for autonomous mining
California-based autonomous haulage system (AHS) developer Pronto has teamed with South American mining and forestry equipment sales group Raico SA to scale autonomy for both sectors in Chile. Under the agreement, Raico will exclusively provide sales, distribution, installation and aftermarket support services for the Pronto AHS and Pollen Mobile private LTE/5G network technologies in Chile. The partnership will initially be…
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