Mike O'Driscoll

About Mike O'Driscoll

Mike has over 30 years experience in the international mining and minerals industry, specialising in industrial minerals and markets, for which he is widely recognised as a leading expert. After serving 26 years at Industrial Minerals (IM) magazine – 17 years as Editor – Mike left IM in 2014 to pursue an independent career in the industrial minerals business, and launched IMFORMED in January 2015 with Ismene Clarke. Read more >

Fluorspar market points to Prague

Two weeks to go until Fluorine Forum 2019 With just under two weeks until IMFORMED’s Fluorine Forum 2019 at the Alcron Hotel, Prague, on 21-23 October, the great and the good of the global fluorine raw materials supply chain are readying themselves for two days of exceptional presentations, discussion, and networking. In recent months the [...]

By |2024-03-22T05:52:17+00:00Wednesday, 9 October, 2019|Newsfile|0 Comments

Indian minerals & markets outlook: the time has come

India has always been one of the world’s great sources and markets for industrial minerals, but now looks set to significantly raise its profile. Already the world’s fifth largest manufacturer, India remains on track to be the world’s fastest growing economy with IMF estimated GDP growth forecasts of 7.3% for FY2019 and 7.4% for FY2020. [...]

By |2024-03-22T05:52:17+00:00Tuesday, 1 October, 2019|Newsfile|0 Comments

Magnesia Hiatus in Haicheng – IMFORMED seeks answers

Liaoning Jinding Magnesite Group Co. Ltd’s Huaziyu magnesite mine near Dashiqiao, Liaoning. Courtesy JDMG. With disruption to Chinese magnesite mining activities, ongoing consolidation of the supply sector, and some new operations coming on stream, IMFORMED is looking forward to assessing the situation at next week’s 8th China Liaoning International Magnesium Material Exposition (8th [...]

By |2024-03-22T05:52:17+00:00Wednesday, 4 September, 2019|Newsfile|0 Comments

New fluorspar source for European markets

Gujarat Fluorochemicals subsidiary to expand in Morocco At a time when fluorspar consumers are pondering their limited sourcing options as restricted supply and high prices dominate the market, newcomer GFL GM Fluorspar SA in Morocco is expanding capacity to meet demand. GFL GM Fluorspar’s open pit mine is located on the western slope of [...]

By |2024-03-22T05:52:17+00:00Tuesday, 27 August, 2019|Newsfile|1 Comment

Magnesia speciality supplier Lehmann&Voss&Co. celebrates 125 years

August 2019 is a milestone month for speciality industrial minerals supplier Lehmann&Voss&Co. which celebrated its 125th Anniversary at the Hamburg Fischauktionshalle on 16 August. The Management Board of Lehmann&Voss&Co. in front of the 3D racing sailboat with the First Mayor of the City of Hamburg, from left to right: Aage Barfuss, Soenke Thomsen, the First [...]

By |2024-03-22T05:52:17+00:00Thursday, 22 August, 2019|Newsfile|0 Comments

Fluorspar markets: the cold, the hot, & the energetic

Fluorine is a vital element to some of our primary manufacturing industries – chemicals, steel, aluminium – and more recently, the soaring Li-ion battery market. However, the main raw material feedstock, the mineral fluorspar, is only produced in a few countries, with one of the main sources facing cutbacks, and consumers keenly awaiting new sources [...]

By |2024-03-22T05:52:18+00:00Monday, 29 July, 2019|Newsfile|0 Comments

Fluorspar supply: trade trends & new sources

Sepfluor's Nokeng Fluorspar Mine Project, South Africa, pictured here under construction in January 2019; now complete and ramping up to full production. Sepfluor will be hosting the Welcome Reception at Fluorine Forum 2019, Prague, 21-23 October. Courtesy Sepfluor Fluorspar supply for 2018 was reasonably tight, mainly owing to mine closures from environmental controls in [...]

By |2024-03-22T05:52:18+00:00Thursday, 18 July, 2019|Newsfile|0 Comments

Oilfield minerals rock in Houston

Oilfield Minerals & Markets Forum 2019 Review A high profile panel of expert speakers covering drilling fluids, barite, proppants, logistics, and processing and some 130 leading decision makers from the global oilfield mineral supply chain gathered in Houston last month to participate, learn, and enjoy at IMFORMED’s Oilfield Minerals & Markets Forum 2019, 10-12 June [...]

By |2024-03-22T05:52:18+00:00Wednesday, 10 July, 2019|Newsfile|0 Comments

Talkin’ Oilfield Minerals – Houston style

Oilfield Minerals & Markets Forum Houston 2019, 10-12 June Just a brief note to say a big thank you to all our sponsors, speakers, and delegates for supporting and participating in such a successful and enjoyable Oilfield Minerals & Markets Forum Houston 2019 last week (10-12 June, at the Hilton Post Oak). The meeting had a real [...]

By |2024-03-22T05:52:18+00:00Friday, 21 June, 2019|Newsfile|0 Comments