The Brief

“The Charge On Innovation Challenge is a great example of the current collaborative work being done to reimagine traditional models and relationships”

James Agar

Group Procurement Officer, BHP 

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“3D LiDAR-based volume measurement can enable accurate production and material level tracking to prevent stockouts and overstock situations”

Dr. Florian Petit

Co-founder, Blickfeld 

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“The ability to ‘smell’ for hazardous gas detection from our new robot dog is very exciting”

Rethabile Letlala

Operations Director, Dwyka Mining Services 

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BY THE NUMBERS

How many materials does the EU need for the clean energy transition? The EU target of zeroing out emissions by 2050 would require around 35% more copper and aluminium than today, and around 45% more silicon – a key component in solar panels.

At the same time, lithium demand could grow by 35 times to more than 800,000 tons, with as much as 26 times more rare earth elements needed; cobalt and nickel demand could rise by 330% and 100%, respectively.

China’s new coal mines could emit 6MT of methane a year China’s new coal mines have the potential to emit 6Mt of methane each year if they proceed as planned, according to a Global Energy Monitor report. China has 559 Mtpa of new coal mine proposals under development, which is equivalent to the output of Indonesia (564 Mtpa) – the world’s third largest coal producer.

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Gold Fields buys

Yamana Gold for $6.7bn

Background

Gold Fields is to buy Yamana Gold in an all-share offer valued at $6.7bn. The transaction, expected to close in the second half of 2022, will see Gold Fields and Yamana shareholders own approximately 61% and 39% of the combined group, respectively.

How significant is the deal?

The acquisition creates a top four global gold major and provides Gold Fields with a more diversified portfolio.

The new entity will have a market capitalisation of $15.9bn and feature 14 operating assets with 81mn oz of gold reserves, according to a newly launched website.

Which Yamana Gold asset join Gold Fields’ portfolio?

There are four key ones: Canadian Malartic (Canada), El Penon (Chile), Jacobina (Brazil) and MARA (Argentina).

What is the strategic rationale to the deal?

Chris Griffith, CEO of Gold Fields, said the acquisition brings together two companies with complementary portfolios, cultures and strategic priorities.

The result is a combination with much greater capacity and potential value than the sum of its parts, enabling the supergroup to enhance its assets more efficiently over the long-term than they could as separate companies.

What is Gold Fields’ sustainability targets?

Gold Fields is aiming for a 50% reduction in absolute Scope 1 and 2 emissions by 2030, and net zero emissions by 2050. It is also targeting 80% recycled/reusable water by 2030.  COPPER

MOUNTAIN MINING

Having received the Environmental Excellence Award in recognition of its Electric Trolley Assist Project, which is focused on reducing carbon intensity and minimising environmental impact.

 ENERGY FUELS US-based uranium mining company Energy Fuels is buying 17 mineral concessions from private mineral rights holders in Brazil.

 EMMERSON Potash miner Emmerson has announced a deepening loss of $2.7mn for 2021, down from a $1.9mn loss in 2020.

 SOLGOLD Jason Ward has resigned as Executive Director of SolGold with immediate effect, after year-on-year quarterly losses nearly doubled to $9.2mn.