Skillings Mining Review February 2024: our cover story, Risky Minerals, maps how Red Sea shipping hazards are reshaping critical-minerals trade—reroutes around the Cape, higher insurance and freight, longer lead times, and fresh security/ESG scrutiny on supply chains feeding EV batteries and refining hubs. Markets were mixed: iron ore firmed on China’s stabilization pledge while SA coal exports took an early hit.
Battery metals stayed active—Pilbara’s output tailwind, Sayona’s ops review, Atlantic Lithium offtake progress, and project finance from Lancaster/Latin Metals. Technology and decarb advanced in parallel: Liebherr × Fortescue repowered an R 9400 to electric, Palabora’s 1,200-m vent shaft holed through safely, and QC Copper brought AI to targeting. Policy debates sharpened—Norway defending deep-sea mining; Africa Energy Indaba answering a 31% SA power hike; and boardroom turnover at Endeavour.
We also highlight people and performance—Queensland women in resources, Multotec’s export award—and the community costs of Senegal’s gold rush. The through-line: price what risk really costs, lock optional routes, and keep investing in safer, cleaner tonnes.
