Mining & Metals: The week in 10 stories

REGIONAL

Operator Series: Vale's relentless focus on performance.

New technology, practices and data analysis techniques are greatly improving effectiveness in mining exploration, Raziel Zisman, a director at PDAC and executive at Colombia-focused Alicanto Mining, tells BNamericas.

BRAZIL

Instability delays ArcelorMittal's US$405mn investment plans over cuts in Brazil's tax rebate program and the increase in freight rates for trucks.

Vale concludes US$640mn byproduct cobalt streaming deals, which will allow the company to go ahead with US$1.7bn in investments in a mine expansion project in Canada.

CHILE

Whether China's smelting capacity is losing field and why Chile should care was a hotly debated topic at the Third Forum toward a National Smelting Policy in Santiago de Chile.

Spence miners accept a pay offer as an agreement for BHP's northern Chilean project includes a bonus and average salary readjustment of 2%.

ECUADOR, PERU

Both countries led efforts in the Andean region to limit the spread of illegal mining, while Colombian authorities discovered the activity has worsened deforestation.

PERU

Southern Copper's newest project in Peru just took an important step toward becoming reality as the Phoenix-based company signed the definitive US$2.5bn contract for the Michiquillay property.

Volcan, which saw output of most major metals drop last year, restarted operations at Chungar, its largest lead production unit in Peru, after reviewing safety standards.

MEXICO

Union relations represent a key risk for Grupo México, as possible strikes and blockades by Mexican mining unions could result in significant share price volatility, despite favorable copper prices and rising production.