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...

Voyager compares Oyu Tolgoi to its Khongor project in Mongolia

Australian-listed Voyager Resources believe its forthcoming deep drilling will unlock the potential of its Khongor copper-gold project in Mongolia, 250 km to the west of the giant Oyu Tolgoi project.

Its managing director, Kell Nielsen, draws parallels to Ivanhoe Mines’ early deep drilling at Oyu Tolgoi in 2001. "We own it 100%. This is our main project. We went to Mongolia to acquire a project like this and spent two years looking. We started negotiations in Mongolia when we were pretty much one of the only Australian groups. There’s a big rush on now. There’s news coming out now that people are looking for projects in Mongolia – not acquired – but looking,” he told the Australian Journal of Mining.

Khongor’s drilling results from 2005, under the project’s previous owner, included fairly broad porphyry mineralisation with one hole returning 50 m @ 1.0% copper and 0.3 g/t gold from 64 m and another 70.3 m at 0.7% copper and 0.2 g/t gold from surface. High grade stock-works were also found, including 5 m at 2.6% copper and 0.87 g/t gold from 44 m and 14.1 m at 2.4% copper and 0.64g/t gold from 69.9 m.

Plans are in hand to progress exploration with funds earmarked for deep IP work. Voyager has a target of 100 to 200 Mt at 0.7% to 1.0% copper.