Dowling shared his thoughts on transformation in the industry for the "Mining Journal Global Leadership Report: Preparing for transformation" report being released later this month.In the wide-ranging interview, Dowling used the example of driverless trucks and autonomous vehicles as one area of development."My personal view of this is that we can't imagine what's coming at us," he said."I think t...Read More

Spot premiums for zinc ingots dropped to seven-year lows in Europe but traded flat elsewhere despite a widening price spread backwardation and a consistent import arbitrage into China. Meanwhile, 99.99% lead ingot premiums rose in Europe reflecting a lack of spot supply in the region.  Rotterdam and Antwerp premiums dropped to lowest since February 2011  LME zinc cash/three-month price b...Read More

The gold major released its 16th annual sustainability report this week assessing the company's environmental and social performance for 2017.It did not meet its 2017 total reportable injury frequency rate (TRIFR) aim of 0.32 but said its result of 0.35 was a 12.5% reduction from 2016 and Barrick's safest year on record.However Dushnisky said this result was marred by the tragic deaths of Eulogio...Read More

Lead smelters in China's Henan province, home to one third of the country's lead output, plan to cut their production by over 30% during a month-long environment inspection in June, sources sold Metal Bulletin. Jiyuan Wanyang smelter, whose product is listed on the London Metal Exchange under brand "WANYANG", expects its three smelters in Jiyuan city to receive a government order on Wednesday June...Read More

The duty-free aluminium import arbitrage between the United States and Asia remains wide, with 232 tariff concerns and the sanctions on producer Rusal continuing to support the US Midwest premium.The differential between canceling aluminium without the 10% 232 tariff from London Metal Exchange-listed warehouses in Asia and shipping the material into the US Midwest increased for the fourth month in...Read More

RAPAPORT... Signet Jewelers' sales jumped in the first fiscal quarter,boosted by income from recent acquisition James Allen and an increase in e-commerce.Group sales grew 5.5% year on year to $1.48 billion in thethree months ending May 5, the retailer said Wednesday. Revenue from e-commercewas up 81% at $146.5 million for the quarter, accounting for 10% of total sales. Of the divisions, James Alle...Read More

Nickel premiums worldwide were largely stable during the week ending Tuesday June 5 in thin trading conditions across all regions although Rotterdam uncut cathodes came under pressure, reflecting the approach of the traditional summer slowdown. Uncut cathodes in Rotterdam fall to $220-265 per tonne Shanghai nickel premiums remain flat on thin trading Demand for US material stable Start of sum...Read More

RAPAPORT... The Gemological Institute of America (GIA) will offer aseries of seminars this year on advanced detection of lab-grown stones. The courses, which will be taught by GIA research scientistsand classroom instructors, will combine lectures with practical labinstruction. The GIA will address methods of identifying chemical vapordeposition (CVD) and High Pressure-High Temperature (HPHT) ston...Read More

RAPAPORT... Botswana Diamonds will not continue exploration of the Ontevredenpipe in South Africa, after discovering it was smaller than previouslyexpected, it said Wednesday. "Modern mineral exploration technology is not a magic bullet,"said chairman John Teeling. "Modern geophysics indicated a 0.7-hectare pipe atOntevreden.Our drilling confirmed asmaller pipe, which is not currently commercial."...Read More

(IDEX Online) - Belgium's polished diamond exports increased by 5% in May, according to data from the Antwerp World Diamond Centre (AWDC).   Polished exports rose 5.0% on the year in May to $1.12 billion, with a rise of almost 4% in carat terms.   Increases were more modest in the January-May period, rising by 0.6% to $5.09 billion, with an increase in carat terms of just 0.2% to 2.11 mi...Read More

RAPAPORT... Nine jewelry designers have received the ManufacturingJewelers & Suppliers of America (MJSA) Vision Award, which honorsoutstanding creativity, craftsmanship and technological prowess in the field. Prizes include cash and gift certificates for tools andsupplies, as well as scholarships for students, the trade body said Tuesday. Winnerswill also be profiled in the MJSA Journal, and r...Read More

RAPAPORT... The Las Vegas jewelry week ended on Monday with tradingreflecting a steady US market, despite the slower foot traffic at the variousshows. "Traffic was a bit down, but it was an okay show," saidone Israeli polished supplier exhibiting at the JCK fair. "Dealers were lookingfor goods, and retailers were maintaining relationships." Some noted that activity was better for jewelry suppliers...Read More

LUANDA – Angola will make changes to how its secretive diamond industry works in order to attract more investment, increase production and secure higher government revenue, President João Lourenço said on a visit to Antwerp, Belgium.Africa's second-largest crude producer is trying to open up and diversify its economy after suffering a dramatic slowdown due to lower oil pric...Read More

(IDEX Online) - The GIA said it is offering its new Advanced Synthetic Diamond Seminars in August in Mumbai and London, and in October at its world headquarters in Carlsbad, California.   The seminar dates coincide with gem and jewelry events or tradeshows in each city. Participants will have the opportunity to gain in-depth knowledge of advanced diamond identification techniques and to have...Read More

(IDEX Online) - The World Diamond Council (WDC) System of Warranties (SoW) has entered a public review period following the completion of an industry review.   The SoW review and reform process is part of the WDC Strategic Plan and is intended to help industry participants better implement and demonstrate commitment to responsible business conduct when buying or selling rough and polished di...Read More

(IDEX Online) - Botswana Diamonds has been awarded the 2.5 hectare Mooikloof kimberlite pipe concession close to De Beers' flagship Venetia Mine.   "The award of the Mooikloof Prospecting Licence is an important development for Botswana Diamonds," the firm said. "Mooikloof is a known 2.5 hectare diamondiferous kimberlite pipe last prospected in 1986. The adjacent Oaks mine was owned and...Read More

(IDEX Online) - Synova, a manufacturer of high-precision laser diamond cutting systems, has opened its second Micro-Machining Center (MMC) in India.   The new MMC, located in Mumbai, will allow Synova to better serve existing local customers and to meet the growing market demand in the area, the firm said.   The new MMC offers laser sawing jobs such as straight sawing, pie sawing and fa...Read More

JOHANNESBURG (miningweekly.com) – A return of capital expenditure (capex) and inorganic sources of growth are seen as a key corporate priority for 2018 and beyond, CRU Group senior consultant Aleksander Popovic said on Wednesday.The provider of marketing intelligence to mining told the Junior Indaba that the company’s 200-response April survey showed that the managing of supply-side fu...Read More

Egypt's biggest steel producer, Ezz Steel, enjoyed strong local demand and recorded a 190% increase in consolidated earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization (Ebitda) in the first quarter of 2018, the company said on Tuesday June 5.The company was helped in this by Egypt imposing anti-dumping duties on rebar imports from China, Turkey and Ukraine for a period of five years wit...Read More

Aim-listed Botswana Diamonds has been awarded a prospecting licence for the 2.5 ha Mooikloof diamondiferous kimberlite pipe concession, in Limpopo, South Africa.The award of the Mooikloof prospecting licence is an important development for Botswana Diamonds, since the company believes that past explorers have systematically underestimated the kimberlite pipe size, grade and diamond quality of the...Read More