Episode Details

Centinela Talks Stall as Three Workers Reach Day Seven of a Hunger Strike: First, Chile, where the strike at Antofagasta's Centinela copper mine has no deal. Reuters reports that talks on Thursday between Antofagasta Minerals and the two striking unions made no progress, and that three workers are on the seventh day of a hunger strike. The Distrito Centinela and Minera Esperanza unions represent more than 700 workers and began the strike on October 7, after contract talks collapsed. Kenmare Cuts 2026 Guidance as Takeover Talks Continue: Next, Mozambique, where Kenmare Resources has cut its 2026 production and shipment guidance even as it posted a stronger third quarter. Alliance News reports Kenmare now expects ilmenite production of 710,000 to 750,000 tonnes, down from previous guidance of approximately 800,000 tonnes, citing ongoing commissioning challenges at Wet Concentrator Plant A. Shipments are now expected at approximately 1.05 million tonnes, below the earlier guidance of more than 1.1 million, because delays at other ports restricted vessel loading time at Moma. Producer Prices Jump 1.3% in September, and Gold Holds Above US$4,100: Meanwhile, the macro backdrop ran hotter again on Thursday. Kitco reports U.S. producer prices rose 1.3 percent in September, against a forecast of 0.6 percent. The Labor Department said, "The September increase is the largest advance since rising 1.7 percent in March 2022." Over 12 months, headline producer prices rose 6.3 percent, against an expected 5.3 percent. Core producer prices rose 0.7 percent, against a consensus of 0.3, and 5.0 percent over the year, against 4.4 expected. Iron Ore Slips Below US$90 as Vale's CEO Says Prices Should Be Higher: Next, iron ore, where the price slide has drawn comment from the top of Vale. Bloomberg reports Vale chief executive Gustavo Pimenta said iron ore prices should be "a little higher," as surging energy and freight costs make about 10 percent of global seaborne supply unprofitable. Iron ore futures in Singapore fell below 90 dollars a tonne this week, the first time in two years, and are down about 15 percent in 2026. Zimbabwe Holds the Line on a January 2027 Lithium Concentrate Export Ban: Finally, Zimbabwe, where the clock is running on the lithium concentrate export ban. FurtherAfrica reports the ban is scheduled to take effect in January 2027. On October 9, Information Minister Nick Mangwana said there was no reason to delay it and rejected industry requests for a further extension. Sources: - Reuters via Mining.com.au — Centinela Talks Stall as Three Workers Reach Day Seven of a Hunger Strike: https://mining.com.au/no-breakthrough-in-union-talks-at-centinela-copper-mine/ - Shanghai Metals Market — Centinela Talks Stall as Three Workers Reach Day Seven of a Hunger Strike: https://news.metal.com/newscontent/104160263-chiles-centinela-mine-strike-continues-with-no-progress-workers-on-7-day-hunger-strike - Shanghai Metals Market (November output) — Centinela Talks Stall as Three Workers Reach Day Seven of a Hunger Strike: https://news.metal.com/newscontent/104155269-centinela-strike-could-cut-november-copper-output-by-half-unions-say - BNamericas — Centinela Talks Stall as Three Workers Reach Day Seven of a Hunger Strike: https://www.bnamericas.com/en/features/labor-disputes-involving-around-1700-workers-and-13-deaths-in-2026-put-pressure-on-mining-in-chile - Alliance News via Morningstar — Kenmare Cuts 2026 Guidance as Takeover Talks Continue: https://global.morningstar.com/en-gb/news/alliance-news/1792064524474775800/kenmare-cuts-annual-production-outlook-despite-stronger-third-quarter - Kenmare Resources Q3 2026 Production Report — Kenmare Cuts 2026 Guidance as Takeover Talks Continue: https://finance.yahoo.com/markets/commodities/articles/q3-2026-production-report-060000253.html - Business Post — Kenmare Cuts 2026 Guidance as Takeover Talks Continue: https://www.businesspost.ie/markets/mining-firm-kenmare-resources-slashes-its-2026-output