Chile Copper Output Drops 13.8% in April as Lower Ore Grades Hit Major Mines
Chile’s copper production fell 13.8% year‑on‑year in April, dropping to 399,954 metric tons from 464,056 tons a year earlier. The National Statistics Institute attributed the decline to a high comparative base and, more importantly, lower ore grades at major mines such as Escondida and Chuquicamata. Manufacturing output also slipped 2.5%, driven by a 7.7% fall in food production and a 15.4% drop in metal‑product output. The data underscores volatility in Chile’s mining and industrial sectors, which are central to its export‑driven economy.
Trafigura Wins $92 Million Arbitration Award Against Zambia’s ZCCM-IH
A London arbitration tribunal ordered Zambia’s state‑linked ZCCM Investments Holdings (ZCCM‑IH) to pay Trafigura roughly $92 million over a pre‑payment dispute tied to Konkola Copper Mines. The award breaks down into $69.3 million in principal, $19.7 million in interest, plus arbitration costs and...
DRC Expands List of Strategic Minerals to Include Lithium, Uranium and Tungsten
The Democratic Republic of Congo approved a decree expanding its strategic mineral list to include tantalum, niobium, tungsten, lithium, uranium and rare earth elements. The change updates the 2018 decree that named cobalt, germanium and coltan as strategic. Minister of...
Lobito Atlantic Railway Expands Mineral Logistics with Major Manganese Shipment
Lobito Atlantic Railway (LAR) successfully unloaded about 14,000 tons of manganese at the Port of Lobito Mining Terminal, demonstrating its expanding mineral logistics capability. The operation required coordinated effort among multiple teams and strict safety protocols from vessel receipt to cargo...
KoBold Metals Outlines Ambition to Position DRC as Global Lithium Powerhouse
KoBold Metals’ Congolese arm announced a data‑driven push to develop the Manono lithium project, positioning the Democratic Republic of Congo as a future global lithium hub. Managing Director Benjamin Katabuka highlighted the use of advanced analytics, machine learning and economic...
KCM Accelerates Recovery with US$600 Million Investment and Renewed Focus on Safety, Growth, and Copper Production
Konkola Copper Mines (KCM) has poured roughly $600 million into a two‑year revitalisation drive, part of a broader $1 billion program aimed at modernising its operations. The company set a target of 300,000 tonnes of copper output per year by 2031, aligning with...
DRC Mines Ministry Reviews ONYO-BT’s Proposed Green Energy Solution for Mining Projects
On May 25, 2026, the Democratic Republic of Congo’s Mines Ministry met with ONYO‑BT to showcase a decentralized green‑energy system aimed at powering remote mining operations. The Congolese firm claims its autonomous plant in Kasai Oriental can generate 610 MW and...
KCM Restarts Chingola “B” Mine After 18-Year Shutdown in Major Zambia Copper Expansion Push
Zambian miner Konkola Copper Mines has restarted its Chingola B mine after an 18‑year shutdown, aiming to feed roughly 200,000 tonnes of ore per month into its processing hub. The revival is a cornerstone of Zambia’s plan to boost national copper...
Copper and Tin Rally While Cobalt and Nickel Decline in Latest Global Mining Price Update
Global mining price data for May 18‑23, 2026 shows copper and tin posting strong gains, with copper rising to $13,682 per ton and tin to $53,611 per ton. Gold and aluminum also edged higher, while cobalt, nickel and germanium slipped, the latter...
DRC Mining Cadastre Reports Strong Revenue Growth and Advances in Mining Title Reforms
The Democratic Republic of Congo’s Mining Cadastre (CAMI) reported a sharp rise in state revenues, remitting $32.4 million in 2024 versus $11 million in 2023. Over the past two years the agency recovered about 50,000 sq km of mining land through streamlined title management....
Zambia Approves Limited Sulphuric Acid Exports to DRC as Copper Smelters Resume Shipments
Zambia has approved limited sulphuric acid exports to the Democratic Republic of Congo, easing a ban that began in September. The move enables Chambishi Copper Smelter and Mopani Copper Mines to restart shipments of the chemical essential for copper and...
B2Gold Reports $200M Profit Surge on Strong African Output as Gold Production Reaches 237,763 Ounces
B2Gold Corp. posted a $200 million jump in net income, propelled by robust gold output from its Mali and Namibia operations. The company produced 237,763 ounces in the first quarter, reinforcing its 2025 target of up to 1.075 million ounces. A $325 million sale...
Kamoa Copper Expands Green Energy with New 30 MW Solar Deal
Kamoa Copper and Green World Energie have signed a second Power Purchase Agreement for an additional 30 MW of solar capacity, expanding the Phase II renewable project in the Democratic Republic of Congo. The deal brings the total installed solar capacity to...
DRC and U.S. Deepen Strategic Partnership Through Inga III and Lobito Corridor Projects
Prime Minister Judith Suminwa Tuluka met U.S. Deputy Secretary Jeremy Wiggins in Kinshasa to deepen the strategic partnership between the Democratic Republic of Congo and the United States. The talks centered on the Inga III hydroelectric project, which could add roughly...
Barrick Advances Lumwana Super Pit Expansion as Copper Output Rises
Barrick Gold said its Lumwana Super Pit expansion in Zambia stayed on schedule and within budget in Q1 2026, with the first mill wall lift completed and steel deliveries due by June. Capital spending for 2026 is expected at the...