Strong greenback hits US producers
Noranda Aluminum Holding Corp.’s (US-OTC: NORN) Chapter 11 filing this week underscores the challenges facing the industry south of the border.
Financial Matters, M&A
Editorial: BHP slashes dividend 75%, braces for prolonged downturn
It was the last, biggest and most vocal defender in the mining industry of maintaining the status quo with respect to its generous dividend policy, but BHP Billiton has finally succumbed to industry-wide trends and deeply cut its dividend, and…
Western Lithium: a producer in the making?
VANCOUVER — Management of Western Lithium (TSX: WLC; US-OTC: WLCDF) finds itself in a fortuitous position following the recent surge of interest in the global lithium industry. The company negotiated a merger with South American…
First Quantum’s US$5B debt creates ‘material uncertainty’
VANCOUVER — It’s a sign of the times that analysts tend to pay more attention to balance sheet health than production metrics during quarterly report season, and First Quantum Minerals (TSX: FM; LON: FQM) did little to…
Cutifani strives for ‘new’ Anglo American after tough 2015
In a video message to shareholders, Anglo American (US-OTC: AAUK; LSE: AAL) CEO Mark Cutifani said the company will dispose of an additional US$3-$4 billion in assets this year after posting a net loss of US$5.5 billion in 2015.
Capstone outlines strategy to combat low copper price
VANCOUVER — Management at Capstone Mining (TSX: CS) acknowledged some of the questions surrounding its balance sheet during a mid-February conference call scheduled to discuss its financial performance last year. The spectre of…
Pure Energy’s head start on Nevada lithium rush
VANCOUVER — The buzz around the North American lithium market that began last year has blossomed into a full-blown exploration cacophony, with Canadian juniors flocking to stake ground in marketable proximity to Elon Musk’s…
Arizona Mining has a ton of upside at Taylor
VANCOUVER — When it comes to opportunities in the junior space that tick all the boxes for mineral development, there aren’t many that can match Arizona Mining (TSX: AZ) and its emerging Taylor zinc-lead-silver deposit, 80…
Franco CEO touts ‘opportunity-rich’ market after Glencore deal
VANCOUVER — Franco-Nevada (TSX: FNV; NYSE: FNV) will pay US$500 million for a gold-silver stream from Glencore’s (LSE: GLNE) large Antapaccay copper mine in Peru’s Cusco region.
Editorial: Negative interest rates give gold a boost
One of the themes already emerging for 2016 is the oxymoron of “negative interest rates.” And if you’re a gold bug who’s been loving the low interest rates of recent years, you’re over the moon about this…
Royal Nickel to become a cash-generating producer
Royal Nickel Corp. (TSX: RNX), also known as RNC, is taking advantage of the low commodity prices to transform into a multi-asset producer of nickel, gold and copper.
AME BC’s Dirom concerned about health of junior markets
VANCOUVER — The Association for Mineral Exploration British Columbia’s (AME BC) annual Mineral Exploration Roundup conference is in the rear-view mirror, and in four weeks the mining community will gather in Toronto for the…