Le Cuivre

[energy_isere]

suite de ce post du 28 janvier 2023 : viewtopic.php?p=2361615#p2361615

Dans l’ombre de la Chine et des États-Unis, l’européen NIU Invest avance sur le cuivre en RDC

NIU Invest poursuit son implantation dans le cuivre congolais à travers Critical Metals. La junior cotée à Londres, dont il détient 52,07 %, a annoncé vendredi 2 octobre le démarrage d’une campagne de terrain sur son projet Molulu. Détenue à 70 % par la compagnie, cette ancienne mine de cuivre et de cobalt est située à environ 100 kilomètres de Lubumbashi.

Le programme comprend de la cartographie, l’ouverture de tranchées et des prélèvements d’échantillons. Ces travaux doivent permettre de mieux délimiter les zones minéralisées et d’évaluer le potentiel d’une première zone à exploiter.
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Lors de sa prise de contrôle de Critical Metals en août 2025, NIU a expliqué vouloir devenir à la fois investisseur et exploitant minier sur plusieurs continents. Le groupe entend constituer un portefeuille répondant à la demande mondiale des industries de pointe. Molulu lui donne accès à deux métaux recherchés par ces industries, le cuivre utilisé dans les réseaux électriques et le cobalt employé dans certaines batteries.
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https://www.agenceecofin.com/actualites ... vre-en-rdc

[energy_isere]

KGHM, South32 kick off $725M Sierra Gorda expansion

Cecilia Jamasmie | October 2, 2026

KGHM and South32 have officially begun a $725 million expansion of their Sierra Gorda mine in Chile, expected to lift annual copper output to nearly 200,000 tonnes.


The fourth grinding line will increase the Antofagasta operation’s ore-processing capacity by 26%. Construction is scheduled to begin in January 2027, with the expanded plant expected to reach full capacity in the second half of 2030.

The project targets average annual payable copper production of about 195,000 tonnes and a roughly 10% reduction in average operating unit costs, according to South32’s investment approval announcement.

The investment comes as Chile’s mining industry faces declining production, putting pressure on the world’s largest copper-producing country to bring additional capacity online.

Economy and mining minister Daniel Mas said projects such as Sierra Gorda would help bridge the current transition and an expansion cycle expected to begin in 2027.

Poland’s KGHM owns 55% of Sierra Gorda, while Australia’s South32 holds the remaining 45%. The local joint venture, Sierra Gorda SCM, will manage the project, which is expected to create about 900 direct construction jobs and support regional mining services, transport and accommodation businesses.

Chilean President José Antonio Kast joined local and Polish officials at the symbolic cornerstone ceremony, held on the 12th anniversary of the mine’s first production on October 1, 2014.

Sierra Gorda CEO Marcelo Bustos said the operation ranks as Chile’s eighth-largest copper producer, accounting for 3.1% of national output.

Longer mine life

The expansion forms part of a broader investment plan that includes a $100 million exploration program between 2028 and 2032, aimed at extending operations to 2049. The Catabela deposit is a key exploration focus.

In August, the partners announced a 61% increase in Sierra Gorda’s ore reserve estimate, extending its estimated reserve life by about five years to 2045.

Ore reserves rose to 1.1 billion tonnes grading 0.39% copper, 0.016% molybdenum and 0.06 grams of gold per tonne, with a copper-equivalent grade of 0.46%.

Mineral resources increased to 1.87 billion tonnes grading 0.37% copper, 0.016% molybdenum and 0.06 grams of gold per tonne, with a copper-equivalent grade of 0.44%.

The fourth grinding line has secured the necessary permits. Mas said the approvals demonstrated that competitive mining projects could meet high technical and environmental standards.

Sierra Gorda processes low-grade ore, making plant efficiency central to its performance. The operation also has an ongoing commercial and technical collaboration agreement with BHP’s (ASX: BHP) nearby Spence mine to pursue economies of scale and improve the efficiency and sustainability of both operations.

https://www.mining.com/kghm-south32-kic ... expansion/

[energy_isere]

suite de ce post du 27 sept 2025 : viewtopic.php?p=2417063#p2417063

La mine de Grasberg en Indonésie qui avait vu un accident majeur il y a un an (800 000 tonnes de glissement de terrain et 7 travailleurs morts), remonte en régime de production.

Freeport says Indonesia’s Grasberg mine ramp-up on track after mudslide disruption

Reuters | October 2, 2026

Freeport-McMoRan (NYSE: FCX) said on Friday progress at its Grasberg Block Cave underground mine in Indonesia is on track for a phased ramp-up, as the miner undertakes recovery efforts following a deadly mudslide that disrupted operations last year.


The company, whose shares rose 3.2% in morning trading, expects to reach 80% of capacity in mid-2027 and approach full capacity by year-end 2027.

Grasberg, the world’s second-largest copper mine and largest gold mine, was hit by a massive mud flow last year that killed seven workers and shuttered operations for nearly a month.

Upgrades to the material handling system at the Grasberg Block Cave haulage level are progressing toward completion by early 2027, while preparations continue for the targeted restart of production from Production Block 1S by mid-2027, Freeport said.

It projects third-quarter copper sales of 750 million pounds and total gold sales of about 100,000 ounces, below its July 2026 forecast, hurt by deferred gold sales.

The miner estimates quarterly average realized price of copper to exceed $6.50 per pound.

https://www.mining.com/web/freeport-say ... isruption/