The Kibali mine is one of Africa’s most prominent and ambitious gold projects, located deep in the northeastern reaches of the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Combining large-scale open-pit and underground operations with a modern processing plant and extensive on-site infrastructure, Kibali has reshaped the local economy and reactivated a historic gold district. This article […]
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The element with the chemical symbol osmium occupies a peculiar place among the metals: extremely rare, astonishingly dense, and chemically distinctive. Found in trace amounts across a handful of geologic settings, osmium and its compounds have intrigued chemists, geologists and technologists for over two centuries. This article explores where osmium appears in nature, how it
The global relationship between large-scale public works and commodity markets is complex and often decisive for basic industrial cycles. When an economy embarks on an era of rapid infrastructure expansion — whether driven by stimulus packages, urban development, or strategic connectivity projects — the ripple effects extend to raw materials markets, most notably to iron
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The Tenke Fungurume mining complex is one of the most consequential mineral assets on the African continent. Located in the mineral-rich heart of southern Congo, this operation produces large volumes of copper and cobalt that flow into global industrial and high-tech supply chains. The mine’s geology, production profile, history of ownership, economic footprint and the
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Red Jasper is a striking, earthy stone that has been admired by cultures around the world for its rich color, tactile solidity, and multifaceted uses. As a member of the microcrystalline quartz family, it offers both aesthetic appeal for jewelers and lapidaries and a tapestry of cultural meanings that span millennia. This article explores where
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The KOV Open Pit, located in the mineral-rich heart of the Democratic Republic of Congo, is one of the most important surface mining operations in the Central African copper-cobalt belt. As a modern open-pit operation it exemplifies the intersection of geology, large-scale industrial mining, global commodity demand and the social-environmental challenges that accompany mineral extraction
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Jasper is a ubiquitous and visually striking variety of microcrystalline quartz that has captivated humans for millennia. Its diversity of colors and patterns, combined with a durable nature, make it valuable for practical uses and artistic expression alike. This article explores where jasper forms and where it is found, how it has been used throughout
Pietersite is a striking and relatively rare variety of chalcedony-bearing quartz known for dramatic, swirling bands of chatoyant fibers that seem to capture the motion of a storm. Collectors and jewelers prize its vivid patterns and color contrasts, which can include deep blues, golds, browns and even reds. This article explores the geology and formation
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The Ntcheu Coal Mine, situated in the central highlands of Malawi, represents one of the country’s modest but strategically important mineral assets. This article explores where the mine is located, what type of material is extracted there, its role in the regional and national economy, and several notable or unexpected aspects that make Ntcheu interesting
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Tellurium is an intriguing chemical element that sits at the crossroads between metals and nonmetals, bringing together unusual physical properties and a surprisingly broad range of technological uses. With the symbol Te and atomic number 52, this lustrous, brittle element belongs to the same family as oxygen and sulfur and has been quietly indispensable in
