Chinese company to invest $180m in lithium plant in Argentina

The rival groups of Bolivian miners fighting over control of the Andean silver, tin and zinc Colquiri mine, reached an agreement over the weekend that was qualified as “historic” by Government Minister Carlos Romero.

The Spanish may not have found El Dorado, the city of gold, but they certainly hit the jackpot when they landed in what is today the Bolivian city of Potosi, home to “Cerro Rico” or Rich Mountain, one of the largest silver deposit ever known in history. But experts are warning the place, which still hosts silver mining, is about to collapse.

Toyota, one of the leading automakers in the world, bought this week a 25% stake in Salar de Olaroz lithium and potassium project in Argentina to ensure supply for it growing electric cars division.

Uranium exploration and production is on a fast track in Latin American, as investors begin to realize that a few small-cap companies are controlling deposits that could be worth billions of dollars.

Colombia's booming mining and oil industries are likely to be the centre of terrorist attacks over the coming months as soldiers and guerrillas fight on the battlefield, while their delegations hold peace talks to end the country's half-century-old conflict.

The debated contract, that has Colombian authorities divided over the terms under which BHP Billiton should operate the Cerro Matoso nickel mine, found a momentary solution this week after the government decided to extend the mining deal until 2029.

An energy analyst has concluded that the key factor causing the world's economic woes is ”high-priced fuel syndrome“ which induces sluggish growth and range of other ailments.

A new report released by the International Monetary Fund (IMF) indicates that commodities exporters and emerging economies will be hardest hit by slower growth in China and a concomitant decline in commodities prices.

With iron content in domestic Chinese ore at only 20%, the country simply cannot compete on price with the top exporting countries.