The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), a big, lush, mineral-rich country in the heart of Sub Saharan Africa, currently produces roughly 6% of the world’s copper (approx 1 million tonnes per annum). Mining engineer and CFA Tom Meyer, an equity research analyst with CIBC World Markets, is concerned DRC supply could be in jeopardy, compounding… Continue Reading

Robert Friedland’s Ivanhoe Mines (IVN:TSX) and the Department of Mineral Resources (DMR) in South Africa jointly announced today that the mining right for the development and operation of the Platreef project has been finalized and work can resume immediately. Work at Platreef, which will be one of the world’s largest platinum mines, had been delayed since May… Continue Reading

For those that haven’t had access to the internet or TV today, the West African country of Burkina Faso’s government has collapsed and is essentially in complete disarray. After a day of violent protests, the military seized power and effectively dissolved the country’s parliament. This is a surprise, coming out of one of the more… Continue Reading

The Lundin name has been synonymous with large deals in the mining space (Lundin Mining and Fortress Minerals) as well as big new oil discoveries in Norway (Lundin Petroleum) over the past few weeks, however, today that trend was bucked with their African oil explorer (aptly named Africa Oil (AOI:TSX)) trading to new 52-week lows… Continue Reading

Yesterday, Australian-listed Papillon Resources (PIR:ASX) was halted at the company’s request pending a “potential corporate transaction”.  If Papillon is part of a larger producers’ M&A mandate, then it would represent the 3rd such gold transaction in the past 2 weeks. Last week saw Rio Alto make a friendly, $300 million, bid for nearby Sulliden Gold and… Continue Reading

As stated in our article yesterday, Ivanhoe Mines is currently (emphasis on currently) under capitalized to move Kamoa and Kipushi forward with major developments until the company secures some sort of financing for them.  However, as we stated, these two projects are absolutely world-class and they are controlled by Robert Friedland which means they will be financed in one way or another soon (joint venture, spin-off, equity, strategic investor).… Continue Reading

Ivanhoe Mines published a positive Preliminary Economic Assessment (PEA) for the Platreef project in the Northern Limb of the Bushveld Complex in the South African province of Limpopo. The Platreef mine is projected to be the lowest cost producer of platinum-group metals in Africa, home to over 70% of the world’s production. Key features of the… Continue Reading

Robert Friedland’s Ivanhoe Mines has commenced drilling underground at the historic Kipushi Mine in the D.R. Congo some 1225 meters below surface and less than 1 kilometer from the Zambia border. Kipushi was one of the world’s richest copper, zinc, germanium and precious metals mines from 1924 until 1993; it was flooded in 2011. Ivanhoe… Continue Reading

Robert Friedland’s Ivanhoe Mines has just shared a photo album documenting progression at the company’s three Africa projects: · The Kamoa copper discovery in a previously unknown extension of the Central African Copperbelt in the DRC’s Province of Katanga. · The Platreef Discovery of platinum-group elements, nickel, copper and gold on the Northern Limb of… Continue Reading

LUC data by YCharts Lucara Diamond (LUC:TSX), announced this morning that its Board has approved a $0.02 per share semi-annual cash dividend.  This move is the first for the Lundin Group of Companies and highlights the stability of the Karowe mine’s diamond production.  The $0.02 dividend is to be declared in May with payment in June. … Continue Reading

SIGN UP FOR CEO.CA’S FREE LIST  |  MORE PHOTOS  |  DISCLAIMER The reality distortion field, made famous by Steve Jobs’ biographer Walter Isaacson, is a personal intensity and vision so powerful it bends people to your will, convincing them of a project’s higher purpose. Isaacson describes this capacity for influence as a notorious trait of Steve Jobs,… Continue Reading

TCR first flagged the idea of a Nelson Mandela platinum coin in early November 2013. Now, the coin idea is in the news. See: Mandela Platinum Coin A platinum coin memorializing Nelson Mandela could mesmerize Mandela fans and use 1 million ounces of the metal a year, platinum executives in South Africa estimate. Some mints… Continue Reading

I joined CNBC Africa during the Mining Indaba convention last week in Cape Town, South Africa. Interviewer Svetlana Doneva and I discussed Canada’s leading role in mineral and energy exploration and development on that continent, which I credited to our intellectual property and technology, as well as the Canadian style of entrepreneurship, which lends itself… Continue Reading

AOI data by YCharts Lukas Lundin’s oil exploration vehicle, Africa Oil (AOI:TSX), is planning to drill at least 20 exploration and appraisal wells in the South Lokichar basin which will include exploration wells targeting 4 new oil basins.  This program is fully funded as the company raised over $450 million last year in the largest… Continue Reading

Which way is the beach? If you’re having flashbacks of Elton John singing “Candle in the Wind” or Leo helping Kate fly, don’t be alarmed. It’s not actually 1997. It sure does feel like it though. Concern over China’s inevitable potential crash and Fed tapering have sent emerging markets spinning. In response, Turkey (+5.5%), South… Continue Reading