Roundtable Discussion; The Future of Mineral Sands. Watch the video here.
Yes indeed Lewis the potential in Malawi is of course huge and wide ranging, never in doubt. I'm just trying to read between the lines and am wondering where the review will take us. Accept the geopolitics and carry on, or sell and monetize now, for example. That latter scenario would be an orderly exit not a firesale rush no doubt.
For MKA not to attend Malawi's inaugural annual flagship mining sector event despite MKA's projects and profile in Malawi, suggests a difficult relationship to say the least.
I think the review's the right way to go. I don't have a strong view about staying or exiting Malawi. You seem strongly in favour of carrying on. Any other views anyone?
I'm adding too btw.
So has the short loop route plant been commissioned?
MKA should get some PR material out.
Target is/was "commissioning of the pilot scale (chemical route) recycling plant in UK to produce rare earth oxides and carbonates in H1 2024" ie by end of next month, just a few weeks away.
Re Malawi, now that the Mining Forum's been and gone without any sign of MKA, and with still no sign of an MDA, is the writing on the wall? The strategic review might steer MKA away from Malawi now. The market could respond positively. The better more certain opportunity is in recycling. Divesting Malawi assets if we're to exit would help funding too.
Https://www.euractiv.com/section/energy-environment/news/ribera-spain-has-enormous-difficulties-with-france-on-cross-border-energy-links/
The cheek of it! Whining that Spain's energy woes are France's fault for blocking interconnectors. Unbelievable. It's you you clown that's created a crisis and forced more use of hydrocarbons by running down nuclear.
Actually Spain might get shot of its Micturition Minister soon who's looking to join the Brussels gravy train.
Apparently Sanchez has told the King what he's intentions today are.
The Guardian sees 3 possibilities:
Now, there would appear to be three possible scenarios.
Pedro Sánchez could stay and call a vote of no confidence in an effort to shore up his parliamentary support.
If he leaves, the socialists could try to appoint a successor.
Or, his departure could trigger another general election - Spain’s sixth in nine years - that could be held in July.
The FT is suggesting if he resigns he might pave the way for Spain's first female pm. Who might that be???!!!🤦
Https://mwnation.com/use-mining-to-promote-economic-inclusion/
Worth a read. Keith Bowes of Lotus was there. SVML mention too.
Anyone seen anything about MKA attending or not?
The tender details will be interesting. Might it be structured to cap shareholdings tendered I wonder. Eg so that larger %ages of small shareholdings are accepted, with smaller %ages accepted over a threshold.
Seems a v strong buy to me however it's structured.
Yes, time for common sense to make a long overdue comeback. Mustn't get ahead of ourselves but....
If a new sensible govt who'll give the permits does come in, BKY will need to update strategy. Maybe put the international arbitration on ice, and switch their efforts to appealing in the Spanish supreme Court the annulments of the regional and local authority licences. Time will be of the essence, Spain seems quite volatile atm, the legal processes take forever, with governments perhaps unlikely to last long. Get everything sorted before an unfriendly regime returns if possible.
Monday will be interesting when Sanchez is due to announce his intentions. I suspect he's frantically trying to work out if his missus' dodgy dealings could stick to him and finish him.
Https://www.politico.eu/article/spain-prime-minister-pedro-sanchez-threatens-to-resign/
Here's a thought. Last 2 paragraphs of this suggest one scenario of Sanchez resigning and calling a snap election. PP is 8% ahead of the Socialists in the polls. A PP led nuclear friendly government if elected might then permit the BKY mine, later this year even. Wishful thinking maybe but not impossible.
Is it only the expectation that only a small %age of shares tendered would be successful that's holding this back? Seems like a strong buy to me, free money for shares successfully tendered, and with a current ca. 12% yield and much greater potential upside than downside for shares rejected in the tender, so a decent plan B.
Madinga's right to lament bureaucracy as the main hindrance to progress in the mining sector.
But sadly this conference has been largely hot air imo. No MDA and no MKA either.
https://times.mw/bank-chief-speaks-on-mining-bottlenecks/
More reasons for Spain's dodgy government to permit BKY's mine, act lawfully and stop cynically manipulating institutions like the CSN by appointing anti-nuke activists to the board to force unwarranted political goals.
https://www.kitco.com/opinion/2024-04-23/miners-ignore-softer-uranium-price-0
Given the increasing global recognition of nuclear energy's importance to energy security and decarbonization, the demand for uranium is forecasted at 338 million pounds in 2040, requiring the supply to double by then. (New mines needed).
The geopolitical situation in Niger has intensified in March. (Spain sources U from Niger)
Yes it still looks like Malawi's politicians are trying to kill the mining sector goose before it lays its golden eggs. High taxes, and mining's expected to resolve the forex crisis too. There's also talk of adding value processing ore in country prior to export, which doesn't sit comfortably with Pulawy.
The sensible voices urging cutting bureaucracy and moving quickly are on the sidelines. Malunga and Standard Malawi Bank for example.
I've only seen Lindian and Globe attending this forum. No sign of SVML Lotus or MKA. For the companies that could currently deliver on Malawi's mining aspirations (and supposedly about to get their MDAs) not to attend this flagship event speaks volumes imo.
What will MKA's strategic review conclude? Tough it out for a bit (how long for though), or cut losses and sell up to refocus perhaps exclusively on recycling?
Https://mwnation.com/malawi-dared-on-mining-potential/
At least they're talking about how important it is to get the MDAs done.
Https://times.mw/oil-prospects-high-minister-says/
Grain Malunga's comments here re mining in Malawi hit the nail on the head. Get him back into government.
Ormonde Mining PLC - Dublin-based natural resources company with assets in Newfoundland and Scotland - Says its 36%-owned investee TRU Precious Metals Corp intends to carry out an exploration project this spring and summer at its Golden Rose project in Newfoundland. Exploration will focus on assessing the critical minerals potential associated with the deposit-bearing Cape Ray-Valentine Lake Shear Zone. Executive Chair Brian Timmons says: "Not only does Golden Rose have high-grade gold discoveries along the same structures as nearby deposits, but it is also highly prospective for copper and other critical minerals. With a number of large gold companies seeking to diversify their exposure through copper, we believe this multi-mineral resource focus will make Golden Rose even more attractive for M&A in the future."