China's reopening and recovery from COVID-19 is the single biggest risk to miners and as Australian treasurer Jim Chalmers said yesterday, the single biggest risk to the Australian economy.
While the first part of the month is expected to be quiet due to the summer holidays, people will be forced back to work as miners have to report December quarter results by January 31.
The big miners are always worth watching, including Newcrest Mining, which recently announced the departure of managing director Sandeep Biswas.
The feasibility study for Newcrest's Lihir Phase 14A project is due.
IGO restarted its Nova nickel-copper mine faster than expected after an early December fire but will update cost guidance for the operation late in the month.
Tietto Minerals had flagged first gold from its Abujar project in Cote d'Ivoire by the end of December.
Today the company announced wet commissioning was underway with first gold expected in the next 10 days.
Galena Mining is set to start processing ore at its Abra base metals mine in Western Australia this month after reporting construction was 97% complete as of November 30.
Capricorn Metals is still due to report a maiden reserve for its Mt Gibson gold project in WA, along with a feasibility study and development decision.
Also in the Pilbara, CZR Resources is set to report an ore reserve and a mine plan for its Robe Mesa project in mid-to-late January after recently upgrading the resource.
Boab Metals is poised to release a definitive feasibility study for its Sorby Hills lead-zinc-silver project in WA, which will pave the way for a final investment decision in the March quarter.
The company is working off tendered pricing to minimise the risk of cost blow-outs.
Essential Metals will complete the scoping study for its Dome North lithium project in WA after increasing the resource last month.
Challenger Exploration just started a scoping study for the Hualilan gold project in Argentina, which will be underpinned by a pending resource estimate for the 2.1 million ounce gold equivalent project.
Athena Resources expects to report a resource estimate for its Byro magnetite project by mid-month.
As expected, December was a slow month for floats, albeit busier than November.
Jindalee Resources spin-off Dynamic Metals could be the first cab off the rank on Friday if it lists.
Other companies expected to list this month include Chris Ellison-backed VHM, High-Tech Metals, Patagonia Lithium and South East Queensland Exploration.
