Andor Lips, PhD FIMMM’s Post

🚨 Cobalt War Erupts in Indian Ocean: India vs. China-Backed Sri Lanka for Mining Rights 🚨 The Indian Ocean Region (IOR) has become a battleground for cobalt exploration as India and Sri Lanka clash over mining rights. This "Cobalt War" highlights the growing geopolitical tensions and the strategic importance of cobalt, which is essential for electric vehicle batteries and crucial for India's net-zero emissions target by 2070. 🔹 India's Strategic Move: On January 18, 2024, India submitted an application to the International Seabed Authority (ISA) to explore cobalt-rich ferromanganese crusts in the Afanasy Nikitin Seamount, Central Indian Ocean. The proposed exploration covers 3,000 sq km, divided into 150 blocks. India has already invested $500,000 in the application process and outlined a 15-year exploration plan. 🔹 Sri Lanka's Competing Claim: Sri Lanka has sought to extend its continental shelf beyond 200 nautical miles, potentially placing the cobalt-rich region within its territorial waters. In 2022, India opposed Sri Lanka's claims, asserting that they would prejudice India's rights over parts of the continental shelf. 🔹 China's Role: China's dominance in the cobalt supply chain and its frequent survey missions in the IOR, including the presence of vessels like Yuan Wang and Shi Yan 6, have heightened India's concerns. China's strategic partnership with Sri Lanka, exemplified by its control over Hambantota Port, further complicates the situation. Chinese research vessels collecting seabed data could serve both civilian and military purposes, enhancing China's naval capabilities in the region. 🔹 Geopolitical Implications: The "Cobalt War" underscores the IOR's significance in global geopolitics and resource security. India's push for cobalt exploration is not just about economic interests but also about countering China's influence and securing critical resources for future technological advancements. 🔹 Future Prospects: As India and Sri Lanka vie for control over these valuable resources, the outcome will shape the geopolitical landscape of the Indian Ocean. The international community will closely watch how these tensions unfold and their broader regional security and cooperation implications. #Geopolitics #CobaltWar #IndianOcean #India #SriLanka #China #ResourceSecurity #ElectricVehicles #Sustainability #NetZero #GlobalAffairs

Almalyk, The Gulf Observer: President Shavkat Mirziyoyev visited the city of Almalyk in the Tashkent region, focusing on the Almalyk Mining and Metallurgical Complex (AMMC), a key driver of the city's economic growth. The AMMC has played a pivotal role in boosting the local economy by generating jobs, housing, and establishing cultural and educational institutions. #Almalyk #ShavkatMirziyoyev #Uzbekistan

✔️ The Artisanal and Small-scale Mining (ASM) Conference was held in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia on September 20, 2024. Initiated by Mongolia's newly appointed Minister of Industry and Mineral Resources, Mr. Tuvaan Tsevegdorj, and co-organized by the Mineral Resources and Petroleum Authority, the event marked a significant step forward for Mongolia’s artisanal mining sector. The planetGOLD Mongolia project, executed by the Artisanal Gold Council, supported the conference alongside the Artisanal and Small Scale Mining National Federation of Mongolia. ✔️ About 250 attendees, including artisanal miners, provincial government leaders, government officials, and representatives from relevant sectors, participated in the conference. 📽️ Mr. Altanbagana Bayarsaikhan, National Project Manager of the planetGOLD Mongolia, interviewed by the media and highlighted the project's activities in supporting ASM sector and its development. ✔️ At the conclusion of the conference, all parties agreed to work towards normalizing ASM sector’s operations under the Artisanal and Small-Scale Mining Regulation. The consultations also reaffirmed the need to amend relevant laws and regulations to ensure better regulation and support for the sector. This conference reflects Mongolia’s growing recognition of the vital role artisanal mining plays in the economy and signals a positive outlook for the future of the ASM sector. #MakeMercuryHistory Global Environment Facility UN Environment Programme UNIDO UNIDO Environment https://lnkd.in/gnNvFEYH

South Africa has a long and rich history associated with diamonds, playing a significant role in the global diamond industry. Here’s an overview of South Africa’s connection to diamonds: 💎 Discovery of Diamonds 👉 In 1867, a young boy discovered the first diamond in South Africa near the Orange River. This event triggered a diamond rush, drawing thousands of prospectors to the region. 👉 In 1871, an even larger diamond field was found at Kimberley, which quickly became the center of the diamond industry. The Kimberley Mine, also known as the “Big Hole,” is one of the most famous mines in the world and the site where many early diamonds were extracted. 💎 Formation of De Beers 👉 The discovery of diamonds in South Africa led to the founding of De Beers in 1888 by British entrepreneur Cecil Rhodes. De Beers rapidly grew to dominate the diamond industry, controlling the supply and pricing of diamonds worldwide for much of the 20th century. 👉 Under De Beers, South Africa became the largest producer of diamonds for many years, and the company maintained a monopoly over the diamond trade by stockpiling and controlling distribution. 💎 The Kimberley Process 👉 South Africa played a critical role in the establishment of the Kimberley Process in 2003, which was designed to prevent the trade of conflict diamonds (or “blood diamonds”). These are diamonds mined in war zones and sold to finance armed conflict against governments. 👉 The Kimberley Process Certification Scheme (KPCS) requires participating countries to certify that diamonds being exported are conflict-free. 💎 Economic Impact 👉 The diamond industry has been a major contributor to South Africa’s economy. It has provided jobs, boosted infrastructure, and attracted significant foreign investment. 👉 However, the industry has also been criticized for unequal wealth distribution, as the profits from diamond mining often did not benefit local communities. This has led to socioeconomic inequalities that persist in certain regions. 💎 Famous South African Diamonds 👉 The Cullinan Diamond, discovered in 1905 in South Africa, is the largest gem-quality diamond ever found. Weighing 3,106 carats, it was later cut into several stones, with two of the largest now part of the British Crown Jewels. 👉 Other famous diamonds like the Excelsior Diamond and Star of South Africa have also come from South African mines, further cementing the country’s reputation for producing some of the world’s most valuable gems. 💎 Modern Diamond Mining 👉 Today, South Africa remains a key player in the global diamond industry, though it has been overtaken by countries like Russia and Botswana in terms of production volume. 👉 Major diamond companies, including De Beers and others, continue to operate mines, but the focus has shifted toward sustainable and ethical mining practices. South Africa’s diamond industry has profoundly shaped its economy, international influence, and the global gemstone market.Diamtrader

INDIA ECONOMIC NEWS India is actively engaging with countries across Africa and Latin America to secure critical mineral blocks through government-to-government agreements, stated Ms. Veena Kumari Dermal, Joint Secretary of the Ministry of Mines, at a recent industry event. Discussions are also underway with Australia for similar resources. She noted that fast-tracking clearance for domestic critical mineral blocks is under consideration to expedite acquisition. "We are in extensive discussions with several resource-rich nations in Africa and Latin America to secure blocks on a G2G or priority basis," added the Joint Secretary. Meanwhile, India's state-owned entity Khanij Bidesh India Ltd (KABIL) is advancing plans to establish operations in Argentina for exploration activities, as highlighted by the Joint Secretary. Earlier this year, KABIL secured a US$ 24 million lithium exploration agreement covering five blocks in Argentina. During a March industry event, India's Mines Secretary, Mr.V.L. Kantha Rao, emphasized that India is also exploring opportunities in Africa for minerals like copper, cobalt, and other critical resources, alongside pursuing lithium blocks in Australia.

With great enthusiasm, LIDE Emirates announces @codemge, Minas Gerais Development Company, as its newest sponsor! The state-owned company of Minas Gerais, which was created in 2018, has the mission is to contribute to development, stimulating an environment of efficiency and simplification to generate business, wealth and well-being for miners. Its main areas of activity are: Mining, metallurgy, energy, infrastructure, technology and much more. Furthermore, the company also operates in the areas of medicine, environment, sport and even tourism! Codemge also has important alliances in different countries such as India, Germany, USA and Japan, which seek alliances in sectors in Brazil such as energy, metallurgy and steel. With the union of LIDE Emirates and Codemge, several opportunities arise for the United Arab Emirates and Brazil! This partnership reinforces the expansion of the contact and business network! Whoever is a leader is in LIDE! #lideemirates #codemge #sponsor #uae #brazil #business

Credit to Rikki Loftus 28 Jun 2024 Japanese researchers hit the jackpot after discovering 230,000,000 tons of rare mineral that could make them billions https://lnkd.in/gAuaafty Researchers, who are based in Japan, uncovered a treasure trove worth of minerals in the seabed around Minami-Tori-shima island harbors . The survey was conducted by The Nippon Foundation and the University of Tokyo which discovered around 610,000 metric tons of cobalt and 740,000 metric tons of nickel. This could be huge for their manufacturing industry as these minerals are vital for creating electric car batteries. The studies were done between April and June this year where 100 seabed sites were investigated with probes that reached depths of 17,000 ft to 18,700 ft. There, the researchers found magnesium nodules, which contain the valuable minerals. Yasuhiro Kato, a professor specializing in resource geology at the University of Tokyo, has said that excavators now plan to lift ‘three million tons annually’ from the deposits. He claimed that this procedure would allow development to continue while ‘minimizing the impact on the marine environment’. The team will use overseas mining vessels to lift several thousand tons of nodules daily from 2025. The discovery of the mineral cornucopia is thought to be a ‘jackpot’ where Japan’s electric vehicle industry is concerned. https://flip.it/wz1ubi

Check out the promising results from the preliminary economic assessment (PEA) for Čoka Rakita project in Serbia. With robust economics and strong production projections, the project highlights the company's commitment to sustainable growth and regional expertise. Learn more about this exciting development!

An advisory body to UNESCO has suggested that the Sado Island Gold Mines in Niigata Prefecture may face difficulties in achieving World Cultural Heritage status this time. - https://lnkd.in/g_2f5i6b Jun 07 (News On Japan) - An advisory body to UNESCO has suggested that the Sado Island Gold Mines in Niigata Prefecture may face difficulties in achieving World Cultural Heritage status this time. The Sado Island Gold Mines, which include the Nishimikawa Placer Gold Mine and the Aikawa Tsuruko Gold and Silver Mine, were nominated by the Japanese government to UNESCO in February 2022. Considered the world's largest gold production site in the 17th century, these mines showcase traditional handcraft mining techniques, as well as the evolution of mining operations and production systems tailored to each mine's characteristics. The towns and villages where people lived for over 400 years are preserved in rich natural surroundings. The International Council on Monuments and Sites (ICOMOS), an advisory body to UNESCO, has requested additional information on the Sado Island Gold Mines and recommended deferring the decision to future sessions. The final decision on the registration will be made at the World Heritage Committee meeting in India in late July. The nomination for the Sado Island Gold Mines was submitted in February 2022, but UNESCO pointed out deficiencies. A revised version was submitted in September 2022, followed by the final version in January last year. South Korea has raised objections to Japan's nomination, citing forced labor of Koreans during the colonial period. South Korea will serve as a member of the World Heritage Committee alongside Japan. Japan currently has 20 cultural heritage sites and five natural heritage sites registered as World Heritage sites. Source: ANN https://lnkd.in/gwVuTUNp Source

An advisory body to UNESCO has suggested that the Sado Island Gold Mines in Niigata Prefecture may face difficulties in achieving World Cultural Heritage status this time. - https://lnkd.in/g_2f5i6b Jun 07 (News On Japan) - An advisory body to UNESCO has suggested that the Sado Island Gold Mines in Niigata Prefecture may face difficulties in achieving World Cultural Heritage status this time. The Sado Island Gold Mines, which include the Nishimikawa Placer Gold Mine and the Aikawa Tsuruko Gold and Silver Mine, were nominated by the Japanese government to UNESCO in February 2022. Considered the world's largest gold production site in the 17th century, these mines showcase traditional handcraft mining techniques, as well as the evolution of mining operations and production systems tailored to each mine's characteristics. The towns and villages where people lived for over 400 years are preserved in rich natural surroundings. The International Council on Monuments and Sites (ICOMOS), an advisory body to UNESCO, has requested additional information on the Sado Island Gold Mines and recommended deferring the decision to future sessions. The final decision on the registration will be made at the World Heritage Committee meeting in India in late July. The nomination for the Sado Island Gold Mines was submitted in February 2022, but UNESCO pointed out deficiencies. A revised version was submitted in September 2022, followed by the final version in January last year. South Korea has raised objections to Japan's nomination, citing forced labor of Koreans during the colonial period. South Korea will serve as a member of the World Heritage Committee alongside Japan. Japan currently has 20 cultural heritage sites and five natural heritage sites registered as World Heritage sites. Source: ANN https://lnkd.in/gwVuTUNp Source