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Zambia Accelerates Copper Exploration for 2031 Goals

Unknown business, investing, investors, mining, mining industry

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 Cape Town, South Africa —
 
 Zambia has launched a series of strategic initiatives in 2025 to accelerate copper drilling and meet its target of producing 3.1 million tons per annum by 2031. In February 2025, the country introduced the
 Zambia Integrated Mining Information System
 , a digital platform designed to enhance efficiency and transparency in mining license management. The system is expected to streamline the approval process and help Zambia attract more investors and fast-track exploration.
 
 
 In line with efforts by Zambia to enhance copper exploration, the upcoming African Mining Wee conference and exhibition, taking place from October 1-3 in Cape Town, will provide a platform to showcase lucrative investment opportunities within the country’s upstream industry.
 
 
 
 Government Programs
 
 
 
 To create a more conducive environment for copper drilling, Zambia is implementing several government-led initiatives. In February 2025, the country announced a non-compliance monitoring project, which led to the repossession of over 1,000 mining licenses in 2024 alone.
 
 
 These licenses are now being reallocated to new investors to accelerate exploration efforts and help achieve its 2031 production goal. Zambia has also recorded a 79% increase in mining licenses granted in 2024 compared to 2023, according to the Ministry of Mines and Minerals Development.
 
 
 The government – in partnership with the Geological Survey of Finland – is implementing a nationwide high-resolution aerial geophysical survey to map mineral resources and open new exploration basins. Additionally, the government established the Zambia Minerals Investment Corporation Limited, a special-purpose vehicle to facilitate joint venture investments in exploration, production and mineral processing.
 
 
 On January 16, 2025, the nation entered into an accord with Saudi Arabia aimed at boosting human resource growth, advancing technological exchange, and fostering investment in copper extraction and processing activities. Additionally, governmental efforts have been crucial in reviving dormant mining ventures such as those seen at Mopani and Konkola Copper Mines, thereby opening up fresh prospects for mineral discovery.
 
 
 
 Private Sector Contributions
 
 
 
 The private sector is also playing a role in expanding Zambia’s copper drilling efforts. In January 2025,
 Barrick Gold
 stated its intentions to employ a fresh exploration permit in Northern Zambia and proceed with drilling activities at Lumwana, aligning with their dedication to achieving Zambia’s production target for 2031.
 
 
 The UK-based
 Jubilee Metals Group
 Several drilling initiatives are being carried out by the company to foster expansion at its Roan and Sable Refinery locations. Meanwhile, Handa Resources—a partnership between Arc Minerals and Anglo American—commenced drilling activities over three recently sanctioned permits in Zambia back in January 2025.
 
 
 As Africa’s premier mining investment platform, African Mining Week will bring together key stakeholders, government officials and global investors to discuss and optimize opportunities within Zambia’s copper exploration and production industry.
 
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Provided by SyndiGate Media Inc. (
Syndigate.info
).

Zambia Accelerates Copper Exploration for 2031 Goals

Unknown business, investing, investors, mining, mining industry

Cape Town, South Africa — Zambia has launched a series of strategic initiatives in 2025 to accelerate copper drilling and meet its target of producing 3.1 million tons per annum b…

America's Hidden Copper Treasure: Millions of Tons Awaiting Extraction

Unknown copper, manufacturing, metals, mining, mining industry

(DIwida.Blog & News) -- Nestled within the mountain ranges of Arizona’s Sonoran Desert, where mercury can soar up to 118°F (48°C), lies an extensive mining operation over a hundred years old. This facility stands at the forefront as scientists strive to extract millions of tons of copper.


 Following 154 years of excavation
 Morenci
 All the readily extractable copper has now been extracted. What remains are massive heaps of discarded rocks containing approximately 10 million tons of a metal deemed essential for worldwide electrification efforts. This resource could be pivotal in helping President Donald Trump achieve his aim of increasing domestic production of crucial minerals.


 Freeport-McMoRan Inc., the owner of Morenci, is working on developing technology capable of drilling into massive waste heaps to recover low-grade copper that was once considered too costly and complex to process. Although this innovation is still in its early stages, the American corporation believes it has the potential to ultimately obtain these materials more affordably, swiftly, and sustainably compared to conventional mining methods.


 The technique referred to as sulfide leaching has long been familiar to copper mining operations. However, the renewed interest in this method arises due to the anticipated surge in global demand for copper driven by advancements in electrification and artificial intelligence. As the top player in the industry, BHP predicts an increase in copper usage specifically for data centers.
 sixfold
 by 2050.

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 Trump’s emphasis on increasing domestic copper production—“it’s high time for copper to return home,” he stated in February—has reignited hope that facilities located in regions such as Arizona may gain an edge over competitors based in places like Latin America, Africa, and elsewhere. Following Trump’s directive to the Commerce Department to examine U.S. imports of this material—a move seen as potentially leading to new tariffs—the price of copper surged significantly. This situation suggests that additional trade barriers might be imposed soon.
 weeks.


 Last week, copper futures on New York's Comex reached an all-time peak as traders factored in the potential for significant U.S. import duties on the material. This anticipation led to a considerable increase, with U.S. copper prices rising by 26% so far this year.


 In certain scenarios, sulfide leaching might serve as a viable option instead of constructing entirely new copper mines. Frequently, high expenses, prolonged permit processes, and community resistance deter firms from initiating large-scale ventures. Nowadays, shareholders lean towards encouraging mining companies to pursue mergers and acquisitions or increase returns rather than approve the development of new facilities.


 Morenci stands as the biggest copper mine in North America, comparable in area to Brooklyn. Amidst processing plants and storage buildings, reptiles and organ-pipe cacti soak up intense rays under clear skies. Each pile of discarded material has been assigned its own designation and appears strewn across the location in conical forms. During a scorching day in September, a group comprising engineers, chemists, and technicians tested various methods involving high temperatures, pressurized air, and chemical agents aimed at extracting copper from these refuse heaps.


 For a considerable period, we simply did not believe it was feasible to reclaim anything from here," stated Robert Pollock, the site manager for Morenci, as he looked upward at a refuse heap as large as a Manhattan skyscraper. "However, nowadays, with all this historic copper, we're setting our sights on retrieving it.


 Major players such as BHP Group, Antofagasta Plc, and Rio Tinto Group—with its Nuton division—are also advancing efforts to adopt sulfide leaching techniques. Several companies have partnered with emerging firms like Jetti Resources and Ceibo, entities that assert significant progress in this area. Given the diversity in geological compositions across various copper reserves, these corporations are tailoring distinct technologies suited for their specific mine sites.

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 These businesses are concentrating on extracting copper from a challenging sulfide mineral known as chalcopyrite, often deemed hard to process or "leach." Jetti’s innovation seeks to leach these sulfides with minimal heating or crushing, processes that have generally made treating chalcopyrite so costly that it becomes impractically expensive.


 Ceibo, supported by BHP and now collaborating with Glencore Plc, employs a technique that rapidly oxidizes chalcopyrite ores via electrochemical processes. This leads to enhanced extraction yields within less time. According to the company, their method has achieved an over 75% success rate in extracting copper from chalcopyrite—substantially surpassing conventional leaching techniques.


 For many years, miners have processed the calcopyrite mineral to extract copper," explained Corby Anderson, who teaches at the Colorado School of Mines. "Copper hasn't simply been sealed inside some magical container. Nonetheless, current technologies aim to boost the extraction efficiency of copper from calcopyrite, a task that can be quite challenging.


 For years, Freeport-McMoRan has employed leaching techniques at the Morenci mine to extract lower-quality copper, but recently they have begun testing new chemical agents to access additional copper deposits located much further down within their discarded material heaps. Based in Phoenix, the firm has managed to recover 100,000 tons of copper through sulfide leaching thus far. Their objective is to increase this yield to 400,000 tons by 2030, which would be sufficient to supply wiring for over 4.3 million electric cars.


 "That's akin to the output of a significant copper mine anywhere," CEO Kathleen Quirk stated last year.

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 Despite the promising outcomes from sulfide leaching tests, this does not ensure overall success. Companies face challenges when trying to demonstrate that their methods will work effectively on an industrial scale, and many hesitate before committing significant funds to these innovative procedures. In private discussions, certain mining firms have expressed doubts about the practicality of some technologies and have negotiated intensely regarding partnership agreements and rights ownership.


 At Escondida, a massive copper mine in Chile operated by BHP, the global mining corporation has been experimenting with various technologies to counteract the decline in copper quality that threatens to significantly reduce output over the coming years. According to their strategy, BHP anticipates potentially producing up to 55,000 tons of copper annually through the process of leaching.


 BHP is currently evaluating its proprietary technology along with systems from Nuton and Jetti. However, these technologies present significantly varied results. Jetti’s solution has lower installation and operational expenses but provides just a minor boost in recovery rates. In contrast, Nuton’s approach entails higher initial costs yet substantially enhances recovery yields. According to BHP, they intend to reach a conclusion following 2027.


 Freeport-McMoRan, which initially invested alongside BHP and Mitsubishi Corporation in Jetti, has distanced itself from the technology following its collaboration with the start-up at their El Abra mine in Chile. In an email responding to inquiries, they stated that they have ceased utilizing the company’s method as they focus on developing their own approach instead. Currently, Jetti’s technology is being employed for commercial purposes by Capstone Copper Corp. in the U.S.


 Jetti possesses a distinctive and proven commercial technology for processing primary sulfide ores," stated CEO John Slaven. "Our process involves treating run-of-mine materials without requiring heat, grinding, or permits, resulting in the production of 99.99% pure copper directly at the mining location, generating zero tailings and using less water. Deployment can be completed within twelve months, providing substantial financial benefits.

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 "It will ultimately boil down to the economics," Anderson stated, adding that he is aware of earlier attempts to enhance copper recovery via sulfide leaching. Though these methods were technically possible, they did not prove to be economically practical.


 Freeport’s leaching initiative aligns with a key objective central to Trump’s critical minerals strategy: generating employment opportunities.


 The decrease in American mining and mineral processing led to job losses as these roles shifted to foreign nations where they could be performed more cheaply. In rural areas of the Southwest, significant advancements in technology are essential for sustaining older mines.


 Pollock, who serves as the site manager for Morenci, spent his childhood in Clifton, which is about 4 miles (6 kilometers) away from Morenci in Arizona. This town was established during the late 1800s primarily to accommodate the miners and their families working at the nearby mine. Back then, mules were used to transport crates filled with ore up the mine’s dusty inclines. Similar to many areas around it, this community's economic well-being soon became deeply intertwined with the fortunes of the mining industry.


 Currently, Morenci contributes to approximately 13,000 direct and indirect employment opportunities and generates over $1.5 billion in overall economic advantages across the state, as reported by Freeport.


 “I find it truly remarkable to see how much this place has transformed over the years,” stated Pollock. “ Undertaking this work ensures that the mine will continue to be operational for many more years to come.”


 --Assisted by Thomas Biesheuvel and James Attwood.


 (Includes statement from the company in the 20th paragraph.)


 Additional tales of this nature can be found on
 DIwida.Blog & News


 ©2025 DIwida.Blog & NewsL.P.

America's Hidden Copper Treasure: Millions of Tons Awaiting Extraction

Unknown copper, manufacturing, metals, mining, mining industry

(DIwida.Blog & News) -- Nestled within the mountain ranges of Arizona’s Sonoran Desert, where mercury can soar up to 118°F (48°C), lies an extensive mining operation over a hundred years old. This f…

Deep-Sea Creatures Face Rush as Mining Interests Surge

Unknown marine animals, mining, mining industry, sea creatures, underwater

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 In the frigid, dark depths of the Pacific Ocean, the seafloor is strewn with metallic stones that mining companies desire greatly—alongside vast populations of bizarre and uncommon creatures that remain largely unfamiliar to scientific community.


 Scientists are hurriedly working to classify numerous recently found species with names.


 The mining sector is urging regulatory bodies to finalize guidelines that might pave the way for extracting resources from portions of the extensive Clarion-Clipperton Zone (CCZ) located between Hawaii and Mexico.


 Previously considered an undersea desert, the CCZ is now recognized for its rich biodiversity.


 They vary from minuscule worms dwelling in the murky sediments to buoyant sponges anchored to the rocks akin to water-filled balloons, and a colossal sea cucumber nicknamed the "gummy squirrel."


 Activists argue that this variety of life forms represents the genuine wealth of our planet's biggest and most mysterious ecosystem.


 Experts caution that mining activities might push species toward extinction before we can even identify them.


 The interest in extracting the "nodules," which are roughly the size of potatoes and hold metals utilized in technologies like smartphone touchscreens and rechargeable batteries, has led researchers to investigate the CCZ area.


 "As a result of our efforts to exploit that region, we now possess a much deeper comprehension of it than we otherwise would have attained," stated Tammy Horton from Britain’s National Oceanography Centre (NOC).


 Researchers have retrieved sediments using box cores launched from vessels and utilized remotely operated vehicles to capture images and gather specimens from the ocean floor.


 In any specific area of the CCZ seabed, a quick look might reveal only one lone brittle star, yet scientists rarely encounter the same individual more than once.


 Horton mentioned that there are "substantial populations of uncommon species," noting that much of this biodiversity is found within organisms residing in the sediment.


 The nodules also create their own distinct habitats, much like tiny coral gardens.

<h2>
 'First step'
</h2>

 The initial inventory of data from scientific investigations in the CCZ, released in 2023, revealed that approximately 90 percent of the 5,000 animal species documented were previously unknown to scientists.


 The ISA aims to have more than a thousand species documented by 2030 in areas of interest to mining companies.


 The process is painstaking.

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 Whenever feasible, every creature should be illustrated, dissected, and given a molecular "barcode," which serves as a type of DNA fingerprint enabling other scientists to recognize it.


 Horton and her team of experts spent an entire year describing 27 out of over a hundred unnamed amphipods — a species of small crustaceans.


 "The primary and essential initial step towards comprehending any environment involves identifying the species present, determining their population sizes, and mapping out the extent of their habitat," she explained to AFP.


 This would outline a foundation for understanding life in the abyssal plains, enabling a clearer comprehension of possible adverse impacts.


 The conservation organization Fauna & Flora has stated that the risks include harm to the marine food chain as well as the possibility of intensifying climate change due to the disturbance of sediments that store heat-trapping carbon.


 The ISA has to finalize the global deep-sea mining regulations this year, however, significant tasks remain unfinished.

<h2>
 Cold War connections
</h2>

 The most ancient mining trial area encompasses a segment of the CCZ seafloor that was cultivated in 1979.


 Daniel Jones, a NOC researcher who sifted through archival records to determine the precise location, revealed that the operation was part of a CIA scheme aimed at retrieving a Russian nuclear submarine by disguising their efforts as deep-sea mining activities.


 According to Jones, the CIA rented a vessel for actual deep-sea mining operations.


 He discovered an ancient photo depicting the approximately eight-meter-(26-foot)-wide device utilized for collecting nodules.

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 His group went to the testing location in 2023, over four decades following the initial disruption.


 He mentioned that the machine trails could still be easily seen on the ocean floor.


 Jones informed journalists lately that they observed "initial signs of biological restoration" on the mining-affected paths; however, animal populations had yet to return to their usual levels.


 The sluggish rate at which changes occur in the CCZ can be seen through the nodules, which have probably taken millions of years to form.


 Each likely began as a fragment of solid material — such as a shark’s tooth or a fish’s otolith — that came to rest on the ocean floor.


 They gradually expanded next, as they attracted minerals present in the water at very low concentrations.


 They include metals such as cobalt that are highly sought after during the energy shift.


 However, the European Academies of Science Advisory Council (EASAC) has stated that the requirement for the nodules has been exaggerated and has called for a halt to mining activities.


 Michael Norton, the EASAC Environment Director, stated that initiating deep-sea exploitation would likely prove difficult to halt thereafter.


 It’s a one-way road," he stated. "Once you head down it, you won’t turn back easily.

Deep-Sea Creatures Face Rush as Mining Interests Surge

Unknown marine animals, mining, mining industry, sea creatures, underwater

In the frigid, dark depths of the Pacific Ocean, the seafloor is strewn with metallic stones that mining companies desire greatly—alongside vast populations of bizarre and uncommon creatures that re…

Discover Ireland's Role in the New Global Treasure Hunt for Rare Earth Minerals

Unknown metals, mining, mining industry, technology, world

<img data-document-id="cms/api/amp/image/AA1zQqiE" data-reference="image" src="https://img-s-msn-com.akamaized.net/tenant/amp/entityid/AA1zQqiE.jpg"/>


 Critical for contemporary tech, rare earth elements power devices like smartphones and electric cars as well as sophisticated military gear. As countries compete to control these essential materials, this competition underscores their importance in technological and strategic domains.
 
 new geological map
 
 Has unveiled the planet's most precious mineral caches, altering international balance of power. As China possesses the biggest stockpiles, the United States, European nations, along with various key economic powers, are urgently seeking alternate suppliers—sometimes through contentious agreements—to secure their supply chains.

<h2>
 Where Are the World's Hidden Reserves of Rare Earth Minerals Located?
</h2>

 A fresh worldwide chart, grounded on
 
 Data from the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS)
 
 identifies the most abundant deposits of rare earth minerals globally. Although these elements aren’t truly scarce, locating them in significant quantities is unusual, which makes extracting them challenging and costly.


 The map points out important places, such as:


 • China, leading global production with 44 million metric tons of reserves.


 ・Africa, particularly Morocco and South Africa, where rich zinc, lithium, and cobalt deposits have made the region a critical supplier for batteries and renewable energy.


 ・South America, where Chile and Brazil hold vast lithium reserves essential for electric vehicles.


 ・Ukraine, which is emerging as a geopolitical flashpoint due to its significant titanium and lithium resources.


 ・Greenland, where untapped deposits of rare earth elements and natural gas have fueled interest from global powers.


 Despite these widespread
 
 deposits
 
 , mining and refining activities continue to be predominantly centered in China, leading to a supply chain bottleneck that the global community is urgently trying to overcome.


 <img data-document-id="cms/api/amp/image/AA1zQqiK" data-reference="image" src="https://img-s-msn-com.akamaized.net/tenant/amp/entityid/AA1zQqiK.jpg"/>

<h2>
 What Makes Rare Earth Elements Crucial?
</h2>

 The rare earth elements form a set of 17 metal components known for their distinctive attributes which render them essential for various advanced technological sectors. These elements find applications in:


 · Smartphones, laptops, along with electric vehicles, rely on advanced batteries for superior performance and effective energy storage capabilities.


 ・Military applications, including missile guidance systems, radar, and advanced weaponry.


 ・Renewable energy technology, such as wind turbines and solar panels, which rely on rare earths for high-efficiency power generation.


 
 Sophia Kalantzakos
 
 , a professor of Environmental Studies and Public Policy at NYU Abu Dhabi, emphasized their growing geopolitical importance:


 “[Rare earths] are very valuable because of their various tech applications, military applications, renewable energy applications—you name it, they contain rare earths.”


 As demand skyrockets, control over these
 
 minerals
 
 has become a strategic battleground, with countries competing to secure stable supplies.

<h2>
 A New Resource War: Who Controls the Supply?
</h2>

 With
 China
 holding the world’s largest rare earth reserves, the country has gained tremendous leverage over the global market. Beijing has restricted exports in the past, sending shockwaves through global supply chains and forcing Western nations to rethink their dependence.


 This has led to a rush to develop alternative sources, with countries like the United States, Canada, and
 Australia
 investing heavily in rare earth mining projects. The European Union is also prioritizing domestic mining and recycling programs to reduce reliance on China.


 Robert Muggah, a fellow at
 
 Princeton University
 
 , and Rafal Rohozinski, a senior fellow at Canada’s Center for Governance Innovation, recently wrote:


 “Ukraine’s mineral resources are not only pivotal to Ukraine’s sovereignty but also to Europe’s energy independence and the competition between the United States and China for technological dominance.”


 This underscores the high-stakes competition between global superpowers to secure control over these critical resources.


 
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Discover Ireland's Role in the New Global Treasure Hunt for Rare Earth Minerals

Unknown metals, mining, mining industry, technology, world

Critical for contemporary tech, rare earth elements power devices like smartphones and electric cars as well as sophisticated military gear. As countries compete to control these essential materia…