China customs sharpens up | Bauxite & magnesite latest | US trade war impact
China Minerals Forum 2018 Early Bird Rate ends Friday 3 August
As the summer of 2018 rolls on, temperatures have been rising in China where prospects for signs of some stabilisation in mineral trade availability and pricing are anything but certain.
Continuing environmental inspections […]
MagForum 2018 Review
The great and the good of the global magnesia business gathered at IMFORMED’s MagForum 2018 conference held 17-20 June, at the Grande Elysée Hotel, Hamburg.
And what a superb MagForum it turned out to be, the largest yet with 230 international attendees networking and discussing the key issues influencing the industry, stimulated with a […]
IMFORMED proud to present at PRE & ANFRE meetings
Refractory raw material supply availability is the chief concern among Europe’s refractory producers as the situation in China, the primary source of key refractory minerals, continues to indicate future supply disruptions.
This was very much in evidence at two key meetings held recently in which IMFORMED was invited […]
With the prospect of continued short supply from the world’s major source of magnesia in China, traders and buyers are seeking alternatives worldwide.
Among several potential possibilities these now include a planned rejuvenation of a dormant magnesia producer in Serbia, and a greenfield site offering raw magnesite in Australia.
At MagForum 2018, Hamburg, 17-20 June 2018, Dr […]
Oilfield Minerals Forum 2018 Review
Whether it was the spirit of Aloha evoked by the Hawaiian-themed Welcome Reception organised by Excalibar Minerals, or the rising oil price supporting a recovery in drill rig activity, the positive buzz surrounding this year’s Oilfield Minerals & Markets Forum Houston made it seem like the good times were back again, […]
Magnesia, bauxite, and BFA production halts in Liaoning, Henan, Shanxi
In our last post on the subject of China’s refractory minerals squeeze (see Dog Days ahead for Chinese mineral consumers? Newsfile 13 February 2018) I postulated that perhaps by the end of the Chinese New Year of the Dog celebrations, in early March, or maybe by mid-year, […]
Refractory Rendezvous Delhi – IREFCON18 Report
Yes, the weather was warm and pleasant, as was the hospitality, and the quality of attendees appeared to excel over the 2016 event by most accounts.
But what a difference two years makes in the refractories world: this time the conference was markedly upbeat in nature, fed by positive market performance.
However, […]
How US proppant demand has influenced ceramic mineral supply
Since the mid-2000s, three of the most important ceramic raw materials – silica, kaolin, and bauxite – have been in high demand from the North American oil and gas drilling industry as proppants in its pursuit of developing unconventional resources, in particular, shale gas and shale oil.
After […]
Review of Oilfield Minerals & Markets Forum Middle East 2018, Bahrain
Key takeaways
Middle East growth recognised by oilfield service companies
Rising power demand drives push for unconventional gas resources
Drilling muds a delicate balancing act using minerals
Call for global standardisation of drilling barite specs “beyond API”
CS Mining Barite expands significantly in Turkey, Morocco, USA, Canada, UK
New concepts in mobile processing […]
Refractory bauxite: CMP starts new plant | Bosai to add new rotary kilns
As we approach the eve of the Chinese New Year of the Dog, for many Chinese refractory mineral consumers and traders, it is hoped that this will be a time of taking stock and perhaps seeing just what might be in store regarding […]