Niobium: A metal of the future
A ductile, refractory metal, highly resistant to heat and corrosion, niobium has for the most part flown under the radar in the world of commodities.
But that’s no comment on its value as an economic input. Some 90% of all niobium produced globally goes into the steel industry, largely as a micro-alloy with iron. This small, cheap addition results in the significantly increased strength and reduced weight of steel products for use in construction, oil and gas, and the automotive industry.
Alloyed with nickel, niobium also produces a superalloy for use in more hi-tech applications, such as in blades for jet engines and gas turbines. Other applications for niobium include glass for corrective spectacles and camera lenses, jewellery, prosthetics and medical implants, and cutting tools.
Terra Uranium’s latest deals and what’s next for uranium prices
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Metro Mining achieves record quarter: Higher margins, debt reduction, and expansion plans
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Tempest Minerals: Drilling and making progress at Remorse prospect
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Marketing METS: ‘Spot on’ with G Media Group
Precision mining is the resources industry’s version of keyhole surgery, according to the CSIRO. Once a deposit is discovered, precision mining seeks to target and extract the ore from a deposit as economically and sustainably as possible.
Australian mining equipment, technology and services (METS) companies understand that to be successful, the right equipment, a targeted approach, and deploying a measured strategy is paramount to beating the competition. Their marketing strategy must also align – or be ‘spot on’ – with these principles through a precise approach.
With METS companies generating about $114 billion in revenue annually and steadily increasing mining investment suggests these sectors have grown considerably in subsequent years with expenditure expected to continue.?
Recent stories
Mining, critical minerals buoyed by Trump win
A Trump administration is good news for miners, with support expected for sectors including nuclear and critical minerals.
Donald Trump took victory in this week’s US presidential election in a landslide win with nearly 300 votes so far to Kamala Harris’ 226 votes.?
The New York Times forecasts Trump, who will become the country’s 47th President and is the oldest at 78, will take 312 votes in total.
Power Metals ‘breaking new ground’ in cesium
Canadian explorer Power Metals (TSX-V:PWM) reports shallow cesium hits of up to 12.72% at its flagship Case Lake Project in northeastern Ontario.
Phase-two drilling at the West Joe prospect returned intercepts of 7.9m @ 1.5% lithium, 4.05% cesium and 423 parts per million (ppm) tantalum from 19.2m, including 1m @ 0.59% lithium, 12.72% cesium and 521ppm tantalum from 22m in hole PWM-24-211.
Meanwhile, drill hole PWM-24-212 returned 7.63m at 0.75% lithium, 4.09% cesium and 249ppm tantalum from 25.5m, including 2m @ 1.08% lithium, 10.88% cesium and 371.5ppm tantalum from 29m.
Basin Energy gets ‘boots on ground’ in Scandinavia
Basin Energy (ASX:BSN) has started work at the Virka Uranium Project in Sweden, with the first modern exploration underway to investigate three priority areas.
The junior explorer, which has a market capitalisation of $3.2 million, is starting with mapping and reconnaissance sampling over the three areas that were identified following a review of historic data.
Limited exploration work was documented, but recorded anomalous base metals, silver and uranium.
The importance of supply chain security
The last few years have not been kind to international supply chains. Between COVID, trade tensions with China, and the Russia-Ukraine war, countries have been having a tough — or at least tougher — time getting the products and materials they need to thrive.
Not only that, but natural disasters, financial crises, and operational challenges have triggered additional volatility and hamstrung efforts aimed at meaningful progress.
“Supply chain professionals are under more pressure than ever to anticipate, assess, and mitigate the risks associated with the full range of inputs to their production, from individual suppliers, materials costs, and logistics contracts,” a white paper published last year by S&P Global said.
Trump should speed up permitting timelines: Rio Tinto
An executive at mining giant Rio Tinto (ASX:RIO) has called on US President-elect Donald Trump to make expedited permitting processes a focus of his second administration.
Along with its partner BHP (ASX:BHP), Rio is looking to advance its presently-stalled Resolution copper mine in Arizona, which could supply more than a quarter of America’s domestic copper requirements.
Speaking at the Financial Times commodity summit in Singapore on Thursday, Rio’s Chief Commercial Officer Bold Baatar said the years-long process to develop a mine is partly due to lengthy permitting timelines.
One country’s e-waste is another’s gold treasure
A study compiled by the Gold Bullion Company reveals that Azerbaijan has the smallest amount of documented and recycled e-waste in the world, with just 10,000 kilograms in 2022 while the US has the highest – twice as much as second place China.?
While most people only think of gold as sourced through mining or when people buy gold bars, the Royal Mint has begun processing electronic waste in order to extract the precious metal from it. Electronic waste is old, end-of-life, or discarded electrical and electronic equipment.?
According to the study, the world is on track to produce 82 million tonnes of e-waste annually by 2030, up from 62Mt in 2022.?
Impact Minerals secures federal grant & eyes new drilling programs
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Market Trends Before the US Election: Gold, Silver, and Aussie Dollar Insights
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Kincora Copper: Drill rigs turning, potential partnerships, and plenty more
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ABx at IMARC: Insights by Dr Mark Cooksey
ABx Group (ASX:ABX) Managing Director Dr Mark Cooksey talks with Mining.com.au's Shae Russell at IMARC in Sydney.
Cooksey shares his insights from his recent tour of Canada and details how engaging key partners is ramping up.
Learn how ABx is developing a unique approach to rare earth production and strengthening its position in the global supply chain with its Deep Leads Rare Earth Element Project in Tasmania.
Scandium Canada talks Crater Lake Down Under
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QEM charged up at Julia Creek following capital raise
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