A fundamental choice for Critical Minerals development: "Fascism or radical democracy?"

The global demand for critical minerals like lithium and copper is surging, but how we attempt to quickly extract them, argues Katherine Teh , Executive Chairman of Spektrum Development , presents a fundamental choice: embrace authoritarian tactics that disregard communities or pursue transparent, consent-based development. In this pivotal moment, the stakes are high-ranging, from environmental destruction to lost economic potential. Which path should be chosen? Katherine Teh of Spektrum Development addressing the 2024 ACFID Conference WE ARE AT a crossroads in the energy transition. The gap between what the mining industry promises and what it delivers has been widening, creating not only delays but the potential for significant socio-economic and environmental risks. As the demand for critical minerals like copper, graphite, and lithium increases, we’re facing mounting challenges in securing these resources quickly enough to support the transition to renewable energy. The Problem...

USA trade mission to Mongolia, China targets coal mine safety

The USA's Commerce Department's International Trade Administration, US and Foreign Commercial Service is organizing an executive-led trade mission to China and Mongolia for at least 15 American companies that manufacture or distribute mining and mining safety equipment. The 23-28 October executive-led mission will include individual and government meetings to boost exports to an industry on which China will spend billions of dollars in the next five years to improve safety.

The visit will begin 23 October in Mongolia's capital of Ulaanbaatar, followed 25-28 October in two Chinese cities, Xi'an and Beijing and concluding at the China Coal and Mining Expo taking place 28-31 October in Beijing.

China is the largest coal producer in the world, with about 45% of the world's total annual production. As energy demand increases for its rapid economic development, China's coal production is growing yearly. For the past three years, the country's coal production was 2.7 Bt, 2.9 Bt, and 3.2 Bt respectively. It is expected to reach 4 Bt in 2011. Coal currently accounts for between 65-70% of China's primary energy supply, and demand for coal is forecast to grow 3.2% annually through 2030.

In 2010 coal overtook copper as Mongolia's most important export, accounting for 30% of exports. The country's coal output is projected to grow at an annual average rate of 62.3%, reaching 16.2 Mt/y by 2015. The Mongolian Government recently invited tenders for two contracts associated with Tavan Tolgoi, one of the world's largest coal deposits. Companies from Russia, Australia, South Korea, Japan, the USA, India and China are reported to be among the consortia bidders. Licenses for the mine will be held by the state-controlled Erdenes Tavan Tolgoi.

For the entire mission (China and Mongolia), the fee will be $6,245 for large firms and $5,475 for small and medium-size enterprises