AI helps find untapped mineral deposits

New model could possibly be used to predict the locations of minerals on Earth and potentially other planets

Mining.com

about 17 hours ago

Researchers are deploying machine learning to better predict mineral deposits

Nazar Abbas Photography/Moment/Getty Images

Researchers at the Carnegie Institution for Science and other universities and organizations across the US have developed a machine learning model that can predict the locations of minerals on Earth -- and potentially other planets -- by taking advantage of patterns in mineral associations.

In a paper published in the journal PNAS Nexus, the scientists explain that, for a long time, finding occurrences of specific minerals has been both an art and a science, as the task relies on individual experience, along with a healthy dose of luck.

Their tool, however, uses data from the Mineral Evolution Database, which includes 295,583 mineral localities of 5,478 mineral species, to predict previously unknown occurrences based on association rules. The authors tested their model by exploring the Tecopa basin in the Mojave Desert, a well-known Mars analog environment.

“Mineral association analysis quantifies high-dimensional multi-correlations in mineral localities across the globe, enabling the identification of previously unknown mineral occurrences, as well as mineral assemblages and their associated paragenetic modes,” the report reads.

The model was able to predict the locations of geologically important minerals, including uraninite alteration, rutherfordine, andersonite, schröckingerite, bayleyite and zippeite.

In addition to this, the model located promising areas for critical rare earth elements and lithium minerals, including monazite-(Ce), allanite-(Ce), and spodumene.

Once this was done, the researchers tested and confirmed several of these mineral occurrence predictions in nature, thereby ground-truthing the method.

“Mineral association analysis can be a powerful predictive tool for mineralogists, petrologists, economic geologists, and planetary scientists,” the authors said in a media statement. “[It] will enhance our understanding of mineralization and mineralizing environments on earth, across our solar system, and through deep time.”

ECOCIDE MINING IS UNSUSTAINABLE
Indonesian copper miner Amman aims to raise $880 million in IPO
Reuters | May 31, 2023 | 11:15 am Markets Asia Copper

Image courtesy of PT Amman Mineral

Indonesian copper miner Amman Mineral Internasional aims to raise up to 12.94 trillion rupiah ($880.6 million) in a listing scheduled for June 28 to July 3, it said in its prospectus on Wednesday.


The listing would be the biggest initial public offering (IPO) in Southeast Asia this year, according to Refinitiv data, surpassing the listing of Indonesian nickel producer Trimegah Bangun Persada, known as Harita Nickel, that raised 10 trillion rupiah in April.

Indonesia’s IPO market is one of the world’s hottest this year. First-time share sales have raised $1.58 billion as of April, second only to China in the Asia-Pacific region excluding Japan and ahead of traditional powerhouse Hong Kong, according to Refinitiv data.

The announcement of the Amman Mineral IPO comes a day after agri-food giant Olam Group said it did not expect the dual listing of its agricultural unit, Olam Agri, in Singapore and Saudi Arabia to be completed in the first half of this year as originally planned, citing failure to obtain “all the necessary regulatory approvals”.

Amman Mineral’s prospectus showed book building is set to start on Wednesday with an offering price in a range of 1,650 rupiah to 1,775 rupiah per share.

The Jakarta-headquarted company will use IPO proceeds to pay off some debt and fund several projects, including completing a copper smelter it is building in Sumbawa island, it said in its prospectus.

The smelter, which has input capacity of 900,000 tonnes of copper concentrate to produce 220,000 tonnes of copper cathode annually, will cost the company $983 million in total, company and government data showed.

The Indonesian government in April exempted Amman until May 2024 from a planned June ban on raw mineral exports, to give the firm a revenue stream to complete the smelter project, which was half-finished as of January.

A unit of Amman Mineral, part of Indonesian energy group Medco Energi Internasional, operates the Batu Hijau mine in the West Nusa Tenggara province.

Amman Mineral Internasional acquired the Batu Hijau mine from US miner Newmont Mining Corp and Japan’s Sumitomo Corp and its partners in 2016.

A strong market debut by Amman Mineral on July 5 could boost sentiment for upcoming IPOs in Indonesia this year.

They include Pertamina Hulu Energi, the upstream arm of Pertamina, that could raise at least 20 trillion rupiah, and state-owned fertilizer company Pupuk Kalimantan Timur that could raise $500 million.

($1 = 14,695.0000 rupiah)

(By Fransiska Nangoy, Bernadette Christina, Ananda Teresia and Yantoultra Ngui; Editing by Tom Hogue and Kanupriya Kapoor)

GEOLOGY/GEMOLOGY

Petra Diamonds sells half its stake in Williamson mine
Cecilia Jamasmie | May 31, 2023 |

Williamson open pit mine in Tanzania. (Image courtesy of Petra Diamonds | Twitter Feed.)

Petra Diamonds (LON: PDL) said on Wednesday it had inked a definitive deal to sell 50% of its stake in the Williamson diamond mine in Tanzania to local technical services contractor Taifa Mining for $15 million.


The transaction, the diamonds miner said, includes the sale of prorated portion of shareholder loans that its 75%-owned local unit Williamson Diamonds Limited (WDL) owes Taifa for past technical services.

Petra anticipates it will receive the funds in installments over the next five years, after the transaction closes, expected by the end of 2023.

WDL, the operator of the Williamson mine, is currently 25% owned by Tanzania and 75% by Petra, which acquired its majority interest in the operation in 2009.

Petra entered into a framework agreement with the country’s government in December 2021. It was agreed at the time that the miner’s effective interest in WDL would decrease to 63%, boosting Tanzania’s share to 37%.

Upon completion of the transaction Petra and Pink Diamonds, a company affiliated to Taifa, will each indirectly hold a 31.5% interest in WDL, with Petra retaining a controlling interest.

“This new structure will reduce our equity interest in Williamson whilst retaining control and maintaining a share of the upside,” Petra Diamonds chief executive Richard Duffy said in the statement.

“Williamson holds a unique place in the sector with its significant resource base and ability to produce high quality pink diamonds. In a supply constrained sector, this asset has the potential to become increasingly valuable,” Duffy said

.

A 16.39-carat pink diamond recovered at Williamson in 2014. 

(Image courtesy of Petra Diamonds.)

BMO analyst Raj Ray said the move is a good one for Petra, given that the bank currently values Williamson at negative $4 million. “Over five years we see it as incrementally positive compared to our estimate,” he said.

The Williamson diamond mine holds the world’s largest kimberlite deposit surface area, with reserves and resources of 37.7 million carats as of 30 June 2022.

In November last year, Petra Diamonds halted operations following the partial collapse of the mine’s tailings storage facility (TSF). The company expects to reopen Williamson in August this year.

The operation has been active since 1940, and it is located in Shinyanga, one of Tanzania’s poorest regions. It produced a 54.5-carat pink diamond presented to UK Queen Elizabeth II for her wedding in 1947.

Glencore plans $1.5 billion investment to expand Antapaccay copper mine in Peru
Reuters | May 31, 2023 | 

Antapaccay copper mine in Peru. (Photo: Glencore)

Mining giant Glencore Plc plans to invest $1.5 billion on an expansion project at its Antapaccay mine in Peru, up from $590 million announced previously, a company executive said, in a bid to unlock the stalled plan key to maintaining copper output.


Carlos Cotera, general manager of Antapaccay Mining Co, told Reuters the Glencore unit was pushing forward the “Coroccohuayco” project, which aims to extend the mine’s lifespan by decades. In recent years, production has been stalled as the quality of ore grades declined.

“The Coroccohuayco project means expanding the life of the mine until at least 2045 or 2050, that’s our forecast,” Cotera said on Monday evening on the sidelines of a mining forum in Lima. “We estimate the investment will exceed $1.5 billion.”

The electric car revolution has sharply boosted forecasts for global copper demand in the coming years with many analysts expecting a supply deficit after production and investment has slowed in key regions. Peru is the world’s No. 2 copper producer, with neighbor Chile No. 1.

Cotera said annual production at Antapaccay, one of Peru’s largest copper mines, has fallen steadily from 221,000 tonnes in 2016 to around 150,000 tonnes now, making the expansion project important.

“We are confident that for at least the first 10 years of Coroccohuayco’s operation copper production will be around 250,000 tonnes of copper per year,” Cotera said.

The project has been delayed by social unrest in the province where the mine is located. In September 2022, residents of Espinar opposing the expansion project blocked part of an Andes mining corridor for a few days.

Antapaccay said at that time the plan was “under review.” The corridor was also blocked during recent unrest following former President Pedro Castillo’s ouster.

Cotera said the firm is now examining Coroccohuayco’s “pre-feasibility study” and expects approval in the second half of 2024 before moving to a full feasibility study.

(By Marco Aquino and Alexander Villegas; Editing by Adam Jourdan and David Gregorio)

Renewable energy capacity to hit record growth in 2023 – IEA

Cecilia Jamasmie | June 1, 2023 |

Solar photovoltaic plants are growing while higher electricity prices are driving growth in small-scale rooftop system. (Stock image)

Renewable power capacity will grow by a record number this year as as stronger government policies around fossil fuels and energy security concerns drive more clean energy deployment, the International Energy Agency said Thursday.


Global additions of renewable power capacity are expected to jump by 107 gigawatts (GW), the largest absolute increase ever, to more than 440 GW in 2023. The figure represents about a third more than the world added the previous year, the agency said.


Total global renewable electricity capacity over the next year is expected to rise to 4,500 GW, equivalent to the total power output of China and the US combined.

In its Renewable Energy Market Update, the IEA says that about two-thirds of this year’s increase in renewable power capacity will come from photovoltaic, with both large-scale solar farms and consumer rooftop installations seeing significant growth.

“Solar and wind are leading the rapid expansion of the new global energy economy,” IEA Executive Director Fatih Birol said in a statement.

“This year, the world is set to add a record-breaking amount of renewables to electricity systems – more than the total power capacity of Germany and Spain combined,” Birol noted 

Courtesy of IEA, June 2023 (click on graphic to enlarge)

The jump in renewable energy use in Europe has been triggered by the countries response to the energy crisis in the wake of the Ukraine war. New policy measures are also helping to drive significant capacity increases in the US and India over the next two years, the IEA said.

China will consolidate its leading place as driver of growth in the sector, accounting for nearly 55% of global additions of renewable power capacity this year and the next.

Solar photovoltaic (PV) capacity additions will account for two-thirds of this year’s increase, and are expected to keep growing in 2024. High electricity prices have been driving the faster growth growth in small-scale rooftop systems, the report said.

Wind power capacity additions are forecast to grow by almost 70% in 2023 year-on-year after a sluggish two-year period. This increase, the IEA says, is mainly due to the completion of projects that had been delayed by Covid restrictions in China and by supply chain issues in the US and Europe.

 

Eni and RINA Sign Up to Pursue Biofuel and Electrofuel Initiatives

Image courtesy Eni

PUBLISHED MAY 29, 2023 9:53 PM BY THE MARITIME EXECUTIVE

 

Eni has signed up with class society RINA to work together on green-fuel initiatives, particularly in the maritime bunkering market. 

The agreement focuses on the use of hydrotreated vegetable oil (HVO) biofuel produced by Eni in its Venice and Gela bio-refineries. Eni's HVO is made from feedstocks that do not compete directly with food and feed crops, such as waste and agricultural residues. The firm currently supplies HVO-based diesel for heavy transport and bio-jet fuel (sustainable aviation fuel) for aircraft. It aims to have about four million tonnes of production capacity online by the middle of the decade, enough to supply one percent of maritime bunkering demand if all of the output were reserved for maritime users. 

The sustainability of HVO is dependent on the sustainability of the feedstock, and Eni has been investing in eco-friendly improvements. It phased out consumption of palm oil in October, and it is ramping up imports of castor bean and cotton oils from its own operations in Kenya. Production of these sustainable oils is expected to scale up rapidly to 20,000 tons by 2023, and Eni hopes to have a vertically-integrated supply chain of waste oil and non-edible oil of 700,000 tonnes per year by 2026. It is replicating its results in Kenya across other African countries and further abroad.   

"Cooperation between companies is the way forward towards the common goal of decarbonizing industry and transport. By sharing know-how and experience with Eni, we will contribute to developing innovative energy supply models," Ugo Salerno, Chairman and CEO of RINA. "Our collaboration will begin by focusing on the maritime sector, a diversified and hard-to-abate industry that can draw on initiatives already adopted by other industrial segments to decarbonize operations."

The partnership also extends to future marine fuels like blue and green hydrogen and ammonia, as well as the logistics and distribution of new energy carriers and the adoption of methods for calculating the emissions benefits. "Following a technology-agnostic approach, we are exploring multiple solutions," said Giuseppe Ricci, Chief Operating Officer for Energy Evolution at Eni. 

Eni and RINA might also pursue experiments and pilot projects in on-board carbon capture. 

 

Aberdeen Explores Undersea Hydrogen Storage for Offshore Production

Port of Aberdeen's project will explore undersea hydrogen storage (file photo)

PUBLISHED MAY 30, 2023 7:51 PM BY THE MARITIME EXECUTIVE

 

One of the innovation projects being funded by a Scottish government initiative to support the development of hydrogen as an energy source will explore the concept of subsea storage as a means to support large-scale offshore hydrogen production. Port of Aberdeen, in partnership with Subsea7, is leading this as one of the 32 projects that were recently announced as recipients to share £7 million ($8.7 million) in grants for the exploration and/or demonstration projects.

The Scottish Government announced the Hydrogen Innovation Scheme in 2022 as a capital funding stream of the Emerging Energy Technologies Fund. The program is to award a total of £10 million ($12.4 million) to be delivered over four years from 2022/23 to 2025/26. The objectives of the scheme are to support innovation in hydrogen production, storage, and distribution technology to reduce the cost of hydrogen produced in Scotland as well as to enable Scottish companies not currently active in the hydrogen sector to transition or diversify their operations to help anchor the hydrogen supply chain in Scotland.

The list of programs was announced in mid-May and includes several storage projects as well as production and other elements across the sector. The Port of Aberdeen looks to explore subsea hydrogen storage at its new South Harbour site as a means of expanding its role in the sector and supporting offshore production. They are receiving a grant of £150,000 ($186,000) from the Scottish Government to investigate the feasibility of storing hydrogen underwater. 

The H2Shore - Hydrogen coastal storage and distribution project will conduct thorough engineering analyses to determine the most effective technological approach and identify an appropriate offshore location. Additionally, the project will develop an outline business case, with energy consultancy firm, Xodus, scrutinizing the necessary distribution and bunkering requirements, with a focus on equipment, processes, and operating procedures.

“Ports have a pivotal role in the transition to hydrogen technologies, contributing to the journey towards net zero emissions and serving as crucial infrastructure for hydrogen transport and trade,” said Marlene Mitchell, Commercial Manager, Port of Aberdeen. “This initiative is one of many promising opportunities we're exploring to position Port of Aberdeen at the forefront of Scotland's burgeoning hydrogen economy."

Partner Subsea7 reports that they will be exploring and evaluating suitable concepts with the goal of enabling and accelerating offshore hydrogen production, storage, and infrastructure. The group is also receiving a second grant of a further £150,000 ($186,000) from the Scottish Government to investigate large-scale floating hydrogen production. The parallel concept study will focus on the offshore production of green hydrogen on a Floating Hydrogen Production Unit (FHPU) located close to offshore wind farms.

Scotland looks to use the funding initiative to help develop the wider hydrogen industry and position the country as a leader for the future of the industry. They hope to support the development and use of Scotland’s world-class test and demonstration facilities to expand their role in the hydrogen sector while also highlighting Scotland’s historic role in the energy sector and leadership in offshore wind energy.
 

LNG Carrier Shipbuilding Risks Stranded Assets Due to Climate Policies

Risk for stranded assets is high due to the rate of LNG carrier construction and climate change policies (file photo)

PUBLISHED MAY 25, 2023 4:46 PM BY THE MARITIME EXECUTIVE

 

The rapid growth in LNG shipbuilding responding to the demand for gas transport is raising the likelihood of creating stranded assets writes Climate Analytics, a climate science and policy institute, in a newly released report entitled “High and Dry: The global energy transition's looming impact on the LNG and oil shipbuilding industry.” Partnering with South Korean climate and energy advocacy group Solutions for Our Climate, the report highlights the risk of overshooting LNG shipping capacity which is increased by future energy scenarios that call for the rapid elimination of fossil fuels.

“This report finds that the uptake in shipping capacity far exceeds global forecasts for the LNG trade as the world transitions away from fossil fuels,” writes Victor Maxwell and Nandini Das as co-authors of the report. The report calls for Korea and other shipbuilding countries to redirect public finance currently subsidizing fossil fuels, including shipbuilding activities, toward clean energy. Doing so they write would avoid stranded asset risk and delivery a transition for the shipbuilding industry away from its focus on gas carriers and crude oil tankers.

The orderbook for LNG carriers grew to record levels in 2022, with the authors citing the oil and gas industry’s “dash for LNG following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.” While the war and the embargoes on Russian energy shifted demand to make up for the lost supplies, producing nations have also been rushing to increase capacity and LNG exports. Producers are expanding their facilities in the United States as nations such as China rapidly increase imports while Qatar is in the final phase of a long-term expansion project to open its new North Field which is expected to double the country’s exports.

The report analyzes the outlook for LNG carrier and oil tanker shipbuilding using a variety of scenarios in the efforts to slow global warming. They point out that these ship types in the five years between 2016 and 2020 accounted for 27 percent and 10 percent of shipbuilding globally. 

They calculate that at the end of 2021, there were around 700 LNG ships. However, they highlight the rapid growth in 2022 saying that 34 LNG carriers were added last year and a further 335 LNG carriers are expected to deliver between 2023 and 2028, according to data from Clarkson Research.

They further highlight that the South Korean shipbuilding industry is heavily dependent on LNG carriers. Along with tankers they said these ships rank among South Korea’s top ten exports in terms of value. In 2022, Korean shipbuilders won over 70 percent of the orders for LNG carriers, representing 65 percent of the tonnage order from the country’s shipbuilders. The market for VLCCs has been slower based on the downturn in the oil markets but rebounded since mid-2022 as analysts predicted the beginning of a prolonged upcycle in the oil market.

The report highlights that shipowners are also continuing to explore further LNG carrier orders. They cite reports that QatarEnergy is in discussions with the South Korean shipbuilders for a further order of up to 40 LNG carriers for delivery by 2027. TotalEnergies is also reported in discussion for an order of 17 LNG carriers to support its resumption of the Mozambique LNG project.

“If built, the global LNG shipping capacity will further exceed IEA’s forecast of LNG trade,” the report warns. “This poses a particular risk for financial institutions that provide loans and underwriting to the capital-intensive shipbuilding industry.”

They conclude that any decline in the market for these ships will have a significant impact on the sector and broader implications for shipbuilding nations. Given the traditional economic lifespan for ships versus the timelines for cutting and eliminating fossil fuel use, the report highlights the potential for creating stranded assets among the current class of newbuilds. They call for shipbuilders and their nations to prepare for these changes highlighting the heavy dependence on oil tanker and gas carrier construction creates a likelihood for a fundamental crisis.

 

Methanol Institute Publishes 1st Guide to Methanol as a Marine Fuel

Tool to support decision-making on future fuel choices includes analysis and commentary on technical, commercial and operational aspects.

PUBLISHED MAY 31, 2023 9:14 AM BY THE MARITIME EXECUTIVE

 

[By: The Methanol Institute]

The Methanol Institute (MI) has published the first comprehensive guide to methanol as a marine fuel. As the shipping industry continues its transition towards net carbon neutral operations, owners are increasingly choosing methanol as a fuel that can help them progressively reduce emissions in line with regulatory targets.

‘MARINE METHANOL Future-Proof Shipping Fuel’ has been produced to help stakeholders across the industry access the information they need to support decision-making on which alternative fuel is right for their fleet.

Sections of the report address regulatory drivers, environmental performance, engines and fuel systems, bunkering, handling and safety characteristics, costs and pricing, availability and feedstocks for conventional and renewable product. Also included are case studies on first movers including AP Moller-Maersk, Waterfront Shipping, Proman Stena Bulk and the conversion of ropax ferry Stena Germanica.

The orderbook for methanol fuelled ships has grown rapidly with owners and operators specifying the fuel for use on ships from the largest containerships to small pilot boats. In between is the growing fleet of methanol carriers, bunker tankers, bulk carriers, heavylift vessels, cruiseships, ferries and superyachts.

Approved for use as fuel under the IMO’s IGF Code, the momentum for methanol as fuel has increased as studies, analysis and guidance - much of it supported by the Methanol Institute - has been published. This includes early guidance for bunkering operations developed with Lloyd’s Register and subsequent work with the ports of Shanghai, Singapore and Rotterdam. Propulsion systems include tried and tested two-stroke main engines, four stroke units, and fuel cells using methanol for conversion to hydrogen. Main engine manufacturers report considerable order backlogs and are developing ever larger, higher capacity units. Studies and pilots continue to prove the effectiveness of converting smaller main engines to methanol operations.

“Methanol has staked a significant claim to be among the serious fuel choices for vessel designers, owners and operators looking to make a start on their transition to sustainable operations,” said MI Chief Executive Officer Greg Dolan. “While there won’t be a single decarbonization solution, it is clear that methanol has advantages that combine to provide a pathway to lower carbon and ultimately carbon-neutral operations; This report provides a clear roadmap for this journey.”

“Shipowners have recognised that methanol provides them with huge flexibility in introducing a low-pollution, lower carbon fuel which is closest to a drop-in available in the market,” said MI Chief Operating Officer Chris Chatterton. “The decision by more and more leading shipping companies to adopt methanol as fuel signals that the industry recognises the need to start its transition to net carbon neutrality now; this publication can support their decision-making process.” To download the guide, please click here.

For more information, please visit www.methanol.org.

The products and services herein described in this press release are not endorsed by The Maritime Executive

 

South Africa Launches Inquiry Into Suspicious Russian Port Call

Lady R at Simon Town, December 2022

PUBLISHED MAY 29, 2023 9:06 PM BY THE MARITIME EXECUTIVE

 

Following accusations of providing weapons and ammunition to Russia to aid Moscow’s war in Ukraine, South Africa’s top leadership has moved to defuse major fallout with the U.S. by appointing a panel to investigate the docking of a sanctioned Russian cargo ship at a naval base and establish whether any cargo was loaded.

A fortnight ago, U.S ambassador Reuben E. Brigety II accused South Africa of aiding Russia’s aggression in Ukraine after the sanctioned Lady R cargo ship docked at the country’s Simon’s Town naval base in December last year where it “uploaded weapons and ammunition."

Despite initially vehemently denying the accusations, South Africa President Cyril Ramaphosa has now appointed a three-member independent panel that will be headed by a retired judge to unearth the facts of the Russian vessel’s presence in the country in early December.

The investigation comes when the foreign ministers of the BRICS group, including Russia’s Sergey Lavrov, are meeting in South Africa to discuss pressing geopolitical issues, among them building a more influential alliance to counter the west.

While the U.S has called on its allies to condemn and isolate Russia over the Ukraine invasion, South Africa has largely leaned in favor of Moscow, despite projecting a neutral stance.

The investigation panel, which has six weeks to investigate the Lady R affair, will be mandated to establish the circumstances that led to the docking of the ship and the alleged loading of cargo and its subsequent departure from Simon’s Town in Western Cape. The panel will also be required to establish the persons who were aware of the ship’s arrival, and the nature of any cargo off-loaded or loaded, as well as the destination of the cargo.

“The President decided to establish the enquiry because of the seriousness of the allegations, the extent of public interest and the impact of this matter on South Africa’s international relations,” said the Presidency in a statement.

The panel will also evaluate whether all applicable laws were complied with during the port call. It will also include recommendations on actions to be taken against those responsible if it establishes that breaches occurred.

South Africa’s opposition party, the Democratic Alliance, has welcomed the appointment of the panel and presented some tough questions that it wants answered over the Lady R debacle.

In particular, the Alliance wants the panel to establish why the ship was allowed to avoid the official entry and exit points of Portnet ports, who gave permission for the ship to be escorted by two naval vessels, and whether the top defense and naval leadership was involved in the ship’s entry and exit. T

“We believe the investigation must reveal why the government did not respond in time to the advance warning by the U.S about the visit of the Lady R, although the ship was never supposed to dock at a South African port,” noted the Democratic Alliance in a statement.

The docking of Lady R in South Africa’s biggest navy base is threatening to cause a rift between the U.S and South Africa, a risk the investigation could help avert. The U.S has hinted at taking action against South Africa if it is found to have aided Russia’s war in Ukraine or helped Moscow evade sanctions, with options like sanctions and revoking trade privileges on the table.