Global mining exploration and production updates

Mining exploration and operational activities have seen significant developments across Western Australia, Malawi, West Africa, and South America.

In Western Australia, companies reported high-grade results for various minerals. Ora Banda Mining expanded its gold strike at the Little Gem prospect, while WA1 Resources disclosed high-grade niobium intersections at its Luni project. Further developments included Dreadnought Resources confirming tungsten mineralisation and Dalaroo Metals expanding its copper-nickel-platinum group elements prospect. TG Metals has since announced a maiden mineral resource estimate of 6.7 million tonnes at 1.2% lithium oxide at its Burmeister deposit, targeting direct shipping ore production. Forrestania Resources has transitioned toward production by awarding a $27 million open-pit mining contract to MEGA Resources for its Tycho gold project.

In Malawi, AuKing Mining has expanded its critical minerals portfolio through an agreement to acquire Tusker Minerals’ subsidiary, covering several rare earth and copper projects. The company has also commenced diamond drilling at the Tundulu rare earth project, with initial holes reaching depths of 510m, suggesting the geological complex may be larger and deeper than initially expected.

In West Africa, Aurum Resources identified high-grade gold intercepts at its Boundiali project in Côte d’Ivoire, including a 3-metre hit at 80.09g/t, amid a projected increase in the country’s national gold output. In South America, Rio2 Limited reported strong June quarter production from its Fenix gold mine in Chile and Condestable copper-gold-silver mine in Peru, generating US$76.2 million in EBITDA.