Welcome back to your weekly mining news recap, where we bring you up to date on some of the news you may have missed. Headlines this week include the Canadian Pacific labor dispute going to arbitration, the end of the 11-year tension between Barrick and Pakistan over Reko Diq, and the continued frantic race for the nickel.

Further supply chain disruptions are averted as CP Rail agrees to settle the labor dispute with its union through arbitration, ending a two-day work stoppage, as reported Reuters. Operations at CP will continue as normal throughout the arbitration period. Calls for negotiations came quickly amid fears the disruption could further exacerbate shortages of raw materials — potash supplies in particular — linked to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.

A landmark agreement between Barrick and the Pakistani government set up the important Reko Diq project get back on track for development. The copper and gold deposit, which is expected to produce 200,000 tonnes of copper and 250,000 ounces of gold every year for more than half a century, has yet to be mined since the government refused Barrick its mining lease in 2011. With an international arbitration award against Pakistan in 2017, the two sides have since agreed on a way forward by waiving the US$11 billion owed by Pakistan and granting the necessary rights to the exploration and exploitation.

Nickel prices, which have seen no respite since a first peak in early March, remain in turmoil. After slowly falling last week, prices rebounded again thanks to the 15% exchange limit imposed by the London Metal Exchange for two consecutive days this week as the short squeeze centered on Chinese group Tsingshan Holding unfolds. is continuing, as Bloomberg reports. Experts say that although the short position has been reduced, nickel prices will continue to be affected until it is out of the market.

Despite frequent protests and successful blockades from local indigenous communities, the Peruvian government has approved the expansion of MMG’s Las Bambas copper mine, as reported Reuters. The development is expected to increase production up to 400,000 tons per year. The mine has been controversial since it began operations in 2016, with community blockades in Chumbivilcas often disrupting operations.

Last week, Ontario unveiled its Critical Minerals Plan, announcing its intention to push for mining development in the Ring of Fire. Since then, some First Nations in northern Ontario have expressed concern about their lack of participation in development planning and the fact that their environmental concerns have not been taken into account, as reported Radio Canada. While some First Nations say they are happy with the province’s plan, many have a different opinion that could potentially create risks of legal action that could prevent development.

Apple announced Thursday that it will exclusively use ELYSIS aluminum from Alcoa and Rio Tinto in its new iPhone SE. According to ELYSIS, its production process is completely free of greenhouse gas emissions. “The sale to Apple confirms market interest in aluminum produced using our revolutionary ELYSIS carbonless smelting technology,” said Vincent Christ, CEO of ELYSIS.

Resources at B2Gold’s Anaconda project in Mali increased nearly fivefold based on an updated mineral resource estimate that demonstrated a new open pit in the area could provide saprolite material, as reported Mines.com. The project now contains indicated resources of 1.1 million ounces of gold from 32.4 million tonnes of ore grading 1.08 grams per tonne and inferred resources of 2.3 million ounces from 63.7 million tonnes of ore grading 1.12 grams per tonne. Plans for the additional saprolite material are to truck it out and ship it to an existing plant as soon as late 2022.

Following the commitment of Canadian steelmakers to achieve net zero CO2 emissions by 2050, iron miners started playing for new emission reduction opportunities. These include Champion’s development of ‘cold bonding technology’ and the IOC Mining Company’s research into reducing emissions from plasma burners. As the industry adopts a decarbonization mindset, demand for high-grade iron ore is expected to increase for steelmakers around the world.

Citing portfolio management objectives, Barrick announced the sale of its common stock in Skeena Resources in a $132 million cash transaction. The shares were sold to an undisclosed Canadian stockbroker by the company. Skeena is primarily focused on the revitalization of the former Eskay Creek mine located in British Columbia’s Golden Triangle.

UBC Director of Geological Engineering, Erik Eberhardt, and Associate Professor, Davide Elmo, explained why deeper mining operations will have to rethink traditional techniques associated with block caving. According to them, the multiple risks and challenges that arise from the inability to measure the density distribution of broken ore should not be ignored. Block caving is expected to become a more common occurrence in the Canadian mining industry as surface mines approach their maximum pit depth and end of life.

It’s all for this week. If you have any comments, you can always reach us at [email protected] If you have something to add, why not join the conversation on our Facebook, TwitterLinkedIn or Instagram?