News

Markets for raw materials have recovered from the 2008 financial crash, fuelled by the continued digital transformation of the economy and the rapid deployment of green technologies. Is the world on track for a repeat of the resource boom seen in the early 21st century? The global fight for natural resources was nearing an all-time […]

Trade unions expressed concerns on Tuesday (20 November) about a shortage of skilled workers in the extraction industry, which they say is becoming a problem for Europe at a time of rising global demand for raw materials. “Young people are not interested in working in the raw materials industry.” This is the stark reality observed […]

Poland’s energy ministry has come out fighting for the coal sector, ahead of UN climate talks in Katowice next month. Krzysztof Tchórzewski’s ministry defended the country’s heavy reliance on the polluting fuel, in a statement published on Monday. In 2017, coal generated 78% of electricity. Yet a spokesperson for the Cop24 presidency, which sits in […]

Inhabitants of the Anosy region of Madagascar say they no longer know their rights in relation to Rio Tinto’s Qit Minerals Madagascar ilmenite mine along the island’s southeast coastline. Villagers living in Ampasy Nahampoana fear the mine will soon approach their food production zone. Neighbours in Andrakaraka believe the mine has extended beyond its permitted […]

Chinese firm Zijin Mining Group has secured approvals from Chinese and Canadian authorities for its proposed $1.41bn acquisition of Nevsun Resources. According to Nevsun, Zijin completed registration with the Chinese State Administration of Foreign Exchange, which is the final regulatory condition for the transaction. In addition, the company received approval in accordance with the Canadian […]

Each year Europe wastes millions of tonnes of valuable metals by landfilling or exporting them. How can policy measures increase the recovery of these materials? Most people know that raw materials like metals are valuable. This is why construction sites have heavy security – in order to keep people breaking in and stealing new or […]

The quasi state-owned Czech energy company ČEZ is up to its old tricks again. It celebrates a 30 % reduction in emissions, praising the public free allowances, and conveniently forgets to link the drop in emissions with the sale of some of its largest power plants. Last month journalists received a short message from ČEZ […]

Following the World Bank’s recent statement that it will not provide support for the 500 MW New Kosovo coal power plant, the EBRD has now followed suit by confirming that it is not considering support for the project. In an e-mailed statement responding to an enquiry from the Institute for Energy Economics and Financial Analysis, […]

Euromax Resources, the concessionaire of the Ilovica Štuk mine, presented the economic benefits and environmental and health measures as part of the mine project to some 200 inhabitants of the municipalities of Bosilevo and Novo Selo. Euromax continues to hold informative meetings with the inhabitants of the two municipalities in order to reach an agreement […]

The Romanian government published the ratified mining licence for Euro Sun Mining’s Rovina Valley copper-gold project in the country’s Official Monitor, formally concluding the much delayed project licensing process. “We are focused on moving this project forward as quickly as possible to the benefit of all stakeholders,” CEO Scott Moore said. Despite hosting very low-grade […]