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 >

Salt market awaits new sources as demand grows amid Asian shortages

New sources of salt are being developed to meet the rising demand for salt worldwide. Some 330m tonnes of salt is consumed globally, with the primary markets being the chloralkali and deicing sectors. The Asia-Pacific region is seeing significant market demand growth estimated at 35% over the next decade. However, the region has been beset by [...]

By |2024-03-22T05:52:12+00:00Monday, 19 September, 2022|Newsfile|2 Comments

Canada Fluorspar: new owner & restart on the cards?

Fluorspar market awaits outcome as it readies to meet at Fluorine Forum 2022 Canada’s beleaguered newcomer to the global fluorspar supply sector, Canada Fluorspar Inc. (CFI), is awaiting news, potentially by mid-October 2022, of a positive outcome to end its period of interim receivership and closure since February 2022. On 30 August, Newfoundland’s Supreme Court [...]

By |2024-03-22T05:52:13+00:00Friday, 2 September, 2022|Newsfile|0 Comments

Refractory mineral trends: IMFORMED has it covered

IMFORMED was delighted and honoured to have its Refractory Raw Material World Sources Map® reproduced in the feature articles section of the August 2022 issue of the American Ceramic Society Bulletin (map details here). The section focused on mineral supply for the ceramics and glass industry, including critical mineral supply chains and refractory raw materials. Also featured [...]

By |2024-03-22T05:52:13+00:00Thursday, 1 September, 2022|Newsfile|0 Comments

UK minerals’ moment in the sun

CRM reality check, sustainability & recycling | EIG 2022 Review IMFORMED was honoured to speak on recycling industrial minerals at last week’s 22nd Extractive Industry Geology Conference, hosted by the Camborne School of Mines at the University of Exeter. Some 170 delegates from across the UK’s minerals industry attended this well-established event enjoying the sunshine, [...]

By |2024-03-22T05:52:13+00:00Wednesday, 13 July, 2022|Newsfile|0 Comments

Industrial Minerals Review 2021-22

Testing times sustain market turmoil, but outlook positive 2020-21 was all about coping with COVID-19 and responding to the pandemic’s ramifications and the subsequent recovering market demand. While 2021-22 has seen a continuation of this trend, also thrown into the mix has been the tragic Russia-Ukraine conflict which has compounded the situation further. In short, [...]

By |2024-03-22T05:52:13+00:00Friday, 1 July, 2022|Newsfile|2 Comments

Cofermin has the right “chemistry”

Last year we reported on the latest stage of evolution of global mineral distributor Cofermin Group, as it entered a new era of management in January 2021. In this latest follow-up article we focus on the management and role of Cofermin’s chemicals division. Title Image Chemical “sourcerers”: Pictured here is fluorspar, shipped from source to [...]

By |2024-03-22T05:52:13+00:00Tuesday, 21 June, 2022|Newsfile|0 Comments

Fluorine growth in batteries & semiconductors | Fluorspar supply tightens

Review of Fluorine Forum 2021 ONLINE The global fluorine raw materials supply chain is undergoing a period of some challenge. In addition to the widespread disruption caused by the pandemic and ongoing logistical issues, compounded by the Russia-Ukraine conflict, the fluorspar market is witnessing increased demand from traditional and fast evolving sectors, especially in Li-ion [...]

By |2024-03-22T05:52:13+00:00Tuesday, 31 May, 2022|Newsfile|0 Comments

“Beyond Commodities”: Successful start for Cofermin’s new magnesia arm IMagine

Leading industrial minerals distributor Cofermin Group has strengthened its magnesia offering amid its expanding mineral portfolio by establishing a new division to specifically focus on magnesia material supply and markets. The new arm, called IMagine, was launched in July 2021, and will focus not just on refractory grade magnesias, but across the whole spectrum of [...]

By |2024-03-22T05:52:13+00:00Monday, 30 May, 2022|Newsfile|0 Comments

Bernhard Krüger, “King of Chromite”, celebrates his 60th work-anniversary at the sharp end

Usually all good things must come to an end, although there’s one man in the minerals business whose “good thing” continues to last, even after decades longer than most others in the industry. On 15 May 2022, Bernhard Krüger, these days a Member of the Supervisory Board at Cofermin Group, celebrates a magnificent 60 years [...]

By |2024-03-22T05:52:13+00:00Wednesday, 11 May, 2022|Newsfile|0 Comments

First Bauxite acquires US calcination plants

US Ceramics assets add processing & logistics capabilities for refractory, proppant, & flame retardant markets Emerging non-metallurgical bauxite producer, First Bauxite LLC (FBX), which is exploiting the Bonasika high purity gibbsitic bauxite deposit in Guyana, has greatly reinforced and expanded its production potential by acquiring ceramic proppant producer US Ceramics LLC (USC). Title image Bauxite [...]

By |2024-03-22T05:52:13+00:00Monday, 9 May, 2022|Newsfile|0 Comments