With Duluht’s acquisition, Antofagasta takes control of the Twin Metals project, located in north-eastern Minnesota, which is set to become its first operation outside Chile.
The situation may soon change, as authorities have began talks with the country’s top miners, signalling the possibility of a compromise over the country’s new tax regime.
Beleaguered Imperial Metals (TSX:III), whose Mount Polley mine in central British Columbia breached a tailings pond last summer, has submitted a plan to restart the copper and gold mine.
A mineral exploration company faced an unusual situation recently, when Ontario mining officials enforced foreign orders against mining claims for which the company had recorded its interest.
Price volatility, geopolitical turmoil, rising costs, declining grades and a general lack of financing will make of 2015 another challenging year for the sector.