Mining & Metals: The week in 10 stories

MEXICO

Orla Mining plans to quickly advance the Camino Rojo gold-silver project in Mexico to a construction decision, while evaluating an additional sulfide operation at the asset, recently acquired from Goldcorp.

Mexican environmental enforcement agency Profepa imposed a temporary closure order at one of Santacruz Silver's Zacatecas state properties, citing breaches of regulations.

Three Mexican silver miners are planning steep increases in production in the coming years, bringing an additional 20Moz/y production on stream through new mines and expansion projects.

JAMAICA

Chinese firm Jiuquan Iron and Steel Company plans a US$3bn expansion at Jamaica's Alpart alumina plant in a move aimed at boosting production capacity.

COLOMBIA

Doubt was cast over US$1bn Colombia Soto Norte gold mine project, on concerns about biodiversity and fragile ecosystems.

PERU

Zinc miner Trevali aims to tap into surging zinc prices once exploration work is completed, but Peruvian floods delayed a decision.

Peruvian miner Minsur, in a diversification move, plans to add a copper mine to its tin, gold and niobium-tantalum operations.

CHILE

BNamericas provides a rundown of mining sector initiatives announced in the manifestos of the top two candidates vying for Chile's presidency.

BRAZIL

BNamericas spoke to Cabral Gold's CEO, Alan Carter, about the company's next steps in the country and the gold outlook for producers in Brazil in the coming years.

REGIONAL

China says crude steel output grew in October, but analysts warn that while steel production expanded at a slightly faster pace, growth in other sectors has slowed, pointing to a gradual economic slowdown.