Ivanhoe Mines says that the first copper anodes were produced by Kamoa-Kakula’s 500,000 t/a direct-to-blister copper smelter on December 29, 2025, approximately five weeks after the commencement of the smelter’s heat-up and one week after the first feed of concentrate.
Metso has booked the third part of its order for JSC Almalyk Mining and Metallurgical Complex’s copper smelter project based on the equipment and project services delivery contracts announced on August 9, 2024. The first parts of the order, worth €146 million were booked in 4Q 2024, and the second part, worth €50 million in 1Q 2025. The order value recorded in 4Q 2025 is €70 million.
Three German subsidiaries of the Belgian chemical group DOMO Chemicals have filed for insolvency, following weak demand in the European chemicals sector, high energy costs and a significant increase in imports of polyamide resins from outside the European Union, in particular from China. Court appointed administrator Prof. Lucas F. Flöther said that day-to-day operations would continue for the time being. Around 585 employees are affected across the three companies; DOMO Chemicals GmbH and DOMO Caproleuna GmbH in Leuna and DOMO Engineering Plastics GmbH in Premnitz.
Chatham Rock Phosphate has agreed to sell its wholly-owned Australian subsidiary Avenir Makatea Pty Ltd to Austure Industries Pty Ltd for A$1.4 million, including A$900,000 in cash over a 24-month period, and a 20% shareholding in Austure Phosphate AU Pty Ltd, a newly-formed subsidiary of Austure, to establish a mono- and dicalcium phosphate manufacturing plant in Cloncurry. Colin Randall, Chatham Executive Director has been appointed a Director of Austure Phosphate AU Pty Ltd.
Flash floods in the Moroccan port city of Safi killed at least 37 people in December and injured many others, with knock on effects also likely to impact exports from phosphate producer OCP. Jorf Lasfar is the phosphate giant's main export hub for phosphate fertilizers and phosphoric acid, while Safi exports smaller volumes of phosphoric acid, TSP and animal feed products. Phosphate rock exports are largely concentrated at the port of Casablanca further north. OCP produces around 420,000 t/a triple superphosphate and 1.63 t/a phosphoric acid at Safi, as well as around 62,000 t/a dicalcium phosphate and 70,000 t/a monocalcium phosphate.
Mosaic has started activities to idle single super phosphate (SSP) production at its Fospar and Araxá facilities in Brazil due to the recent sharp increase in sulphur prices, the company said 16 December. The company said it has also suspended future purchases of sulphur, and it may review these decisions after 30 days. Sulphur spot prices in Brazil were assessed by CRU at $515/t c.fr at the time, representing the highest level since June 2022, and a staggering 180% increase from the figure of $182/t c.fr at the start of 2025. Prices for SSP, however, have been relatively stable, with only slight increases in recent weeks. CRU's assessment for 18-20% SSP was at $200-245/t c.fr Brazil in December, up from $190-240/t in November, though it remains below the $230-265/t of June.
Iraq’s Ministry of Industry and Minerals confirmed on Wednesday its intention to proceed with the construction of a new phosphate plant in Al-Qaim district, Anbar province, to use 10 billion tonnes of phosphate reserves. The ministry also revealed the expected production volume and the total value of the project. Ministry spokesperson, Duha Al-Jubouri, told the Iraqi News Agency (INA): “This project aims to revive this sector after the near-total destruction of the phosphate plant due to terrorist operations.” She explained that “the project is being implemented in partnership with the private sector and is considered one of the mega-projects that reflects the significant potential Iraq possesses.”
Viva Energy has commissioned a new ultra-low sulphur gasoline (ULSG) plant at its Geelong refinery to meet Australia’s updated fuel standards, which came into effect on December 15. Under the standards, all gasoline grades must contain a maximum of 10 parts per million (ppm) sulphur, a so-called Euro-V standard. The ULSG plant was officially opened by the Minister for Climate Change and Energy, Chris Bowen MP, alongside Viva Energy Chairman Robert Hill and CEO Scott Wyatt.
Around 1 million gallons of sulphuric acid was released from an industrial facility, some of it into the Houston Ship Channel, in late December. A pipeline ruptured when an elevated walkway collapsed at the BWC Terminals facility in Channelview, east of Houston. Two people were transported to a hospital and subsequently released, while 44 others were treated and released at the scene. BWC Terminals said in a statement the majority of the sulphuric acid released was into a designated containment area, with a smaller, unknown amount entering the ship channel.
Korea Zinc says it will partner with the US government to construct a critical minerals smelter in Clarksville, Tennessee, producing zinc, lead, and copper. Korea Zinc will begin site preparation next year, followed by phased commercial operations from 2029. The plant is planned to process around 1.0 million t/a of raw materials and turn out 540,000 st/a of finished products. Processing of gold, silver, and key strategic minerals such as antimony, indium, bismuth, tellurium, cadmium, palladium, gallium and germanium, are also planned in what is being touted as a "state-of-the-art" facility. Sulphuric acid and semiconductor-grade sulphuric acid will also be produced. The output will include 300,000 t/a of zinc production, 200,000 t/a of lead, 35,000 t/a of copper and 5,100 t/a of rare and strategic metals. Development will be through Korea Zinc’s US subsidiary, Crucible Metals.