The world's sixth-largest producer produced 8 million carats in 2020, 23% below the initial plan

Mick Davis is turning his attention to the battery minerals sector and in December 2020 launched Blue Vision Resources to invest in companies with projects that can be brought into production quickly.

The companies, which reached the settlement agreement in 2018, are Harmony Gold, Gold Fields, African Rainbow Minerals, Sibanye-Stillwater, AngloGold Ashanti and Anglo American.

Company output fell by 22% to 30 million carats as it suspended mining at less profitable mines amid the pandemic.

But increasing advances in cobalt-free and low-cobalt content batteries will pose a large threat to long-term demand and prices, Fitch says.

CEO Sebastien de Montessus said his priority now is to show shareholders he is committed to organic growth in six core gold mines across Ivory Coast, Senegal, and Burkina Faso.

Freeport to expand US copper mines as Biden moves to electrify the nation; Minnesota court hands victory to PolyMet copper-nickel project; Sibanye-Stillwater to invest in European lithium company.

Mining firms say red tape has prevented them from generating their own power for years and have lobbied the government for rule changes.