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 >

“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|Comments Off on “Beyond Commodities”: Successful start for Cofermin’s new magnesia arm IMagine

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

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|Comments Off on First Bauxite acquires US calcination plants

Oilfield minerals outlook: facing a “multi-year upcycle”?

US demand tight | International growth | Frac sand surge | Barite India & Nigeria The oilfield market for industrial minerals – such as barite, bentonite, silica sand, calcium carbonate, graphite, and bauxite – used in a range of applications including drilling fluids, stimulation, and well cementing – appears to be entering a period of [...]

By |2024-03-22T05:52:13+00:00Wednesday, 4 May, 2022|Newsfile|Comments Off on Oilfield minerals outlook: facing a “multi-year upcycle”?

Industrial mineral supply disruption: Ukraine crisis

Ceramic clay supply cut off | Tile producers' stocks running out | Graphite expansion on hold As the Russia-Ukraine war tragically passes its 50th day, with still no end in sight, industrial mineral supply chains and markets continue facing widespread disruption and uncertainty. Since the war started on 24 February 2022, many industrial mineral companies we [...]

By |2025-02-20T12:25:18+00:00Sunday, 17 April, 2022|Newsfile|Comments Off on Industrial mineral supply disruption: Ukraine crisis

XI European Congress of Refractory Raw Materials, Barcelona 11-12 May 2022

We are delighted to announce that ANFRE, Spain (National Association of Manufacturers of Refractories, Materials and Related Services) and IMFORMED, have joined forces to present the: XI European Congress of Refractory Raw Materials, Machinery & Installation Hotel Condes, Barcelona, 11-12 May 2022 A stimulating conference focusing on key aspects of the refractory raw materials industry [...]

By |2024-03-22T05:52:13+00:00Thursday, 3 February, 2022|Newsfile|Comments Off on XI European Congress of Refractory Raw Materials, Barcelona 11-12 May 2022

Dragon’s dominance in decline? Refractory mineral world ponders sourcing future

Review of China Refractory Minerals Forum 2021 ONLINE As we head towards the Chinese New Year of the Tiger (1 February 2022), it is timely to review some of the key issues influencing the supply of Chinese refractory raw materials to global markets. Title Image Peak Magnesite: PRCO’s Kamado high purity, and high altitude (4,200 metres), [...]

By |2024-03-22T05:52:13+00:00Tuesday, 18 January, 2022|Newsfile|Comments Off on Dragon’s dominance in decline? Refractory mineral world ponders sourcing future

Get back into action with IMFORMED for 2022 – Confirmed Speakers

 As IMFORMED nears its seventh anniversary, Mike and Ismene would like to thank all our customers, sponsors, friends, and families for their unstinting support during this last, and somewhat challenging, year. May we take this opportunity to wish all of you a most Happy, Peaceful, and Prosperous New Year, and very much look forward to continuing our [...]

By |2024-03-22T05:52:13+00:00Saturday, 1 January, 2022|Uncategorized|Comments Off on Get back into action with IMFORMED for 2022 – Confirmed Speakers

Oilfield Minerals Outlook: Review of ONLINE Forum 2021

Oil & Gas Market | Barite | Bentonite | Pollucite/Caesium Formate | Gilsonite While it wasn’t quite the usual fizz and excitement of our annual in-person event in Houston where we bring together the great and the good of the world’s oilfield minerals industry for a networking and knowledge extravaganza, our virtual version earlier this year, [...]

By |2024-03-22T05:52:13+00:00Wednesday, 1 December, 2021|Newsfile|Comments Off on Oilfield Minerals Outlook: Review of ONLINE Forum 2021

Fluorspar supply sources emerge: Mongolia | USA | Canada | Greenland

Being designated a “critical mineral” in the EU and more recently in the USA has certainly assisted fluorspar’s standing as an exploration target. However, those already in the market have known for some years now that mine closures and production capacity reductions in the West combined with China becoming a net importer, a growing consumer, [...]

By |2024-03-22T05:52:13+00:00Wednesday, 13 October, 2021|Newsfile|Comments Off on Fluorspar supply sources emerge: Mongolia | USA | Canada | Greenland