Lithium

The mining industry is back in growth mode, as evidenced by the 2019 spending and development plans of numerous major players. BNamericas’ sample of 20 major mining companies with presence in Latin America found that their combined global capital expenditure guidance is 16% higher than their actual 2018 spending, at US$48bn. Our research also shows that three-quarters of the operators profiled are planning greater overall capex in 2019 than 2018. Base metal operators are increasing spending at a much faster rate than precious metal producers, and of the 5 large diversified producers on our list, only 1 is reducing capex. Others are increasing by a minimum of 11%. Combined 2018 actual spending was 4% lower than guidance. The full report contains further analysis of capex trends in the mining industry and a profile on the 2019 plans of each of the 20 players included in the sample. More

Barrick Gold, Brazil’s Vale, Fortuna Silver Mines and Bolivia’s Comibol disclosed investment plans, while Peru saw Q1 metals exports slump. More