
Gypsum industry news
Spanish government assesses gypsum strategy under new National Exploration Programme for Critical Raw Materials
05 February 2025Spain: The Directorate General of Mines and the Geological and Mining Institute are developing a new National Exploration Programme for Critical Raw Materials. Local press has reported that Spain’s gypsum is subject to on-going assessment as part of the programme. The organisations are evaluating sustainable extraction strategies and its potential contributions to the country’s technological and sustainability transition.
Kenyan government confronts illegal gypsum mining
28 January 2025Kenya: The Kenyan government says that it is intensifying efforts to curb illegal gypsum mining, which is ‘rampant’ in the cement industry. Kenya News has reported that Cabinet Secretary Hassan Ali Joho claimed that 3000 unlicensed mines have already closed due to government actions since the beginning of 2022.
Joho said that Kenya’s cement sector has been ‘buying and using gypsum in cement manufacturing,’ however “There is no record of anyone licensed to mine gypsum in Kenya. There are no records on production, payment of taxes and royalties or community programmes undertaken by any gypsum dealer.” He added that this is because “They are doing it illegally.”
Tunisia: The president of Tunisia’s National Chamber of Gypsum Institutions and Professions, Maysara Al-Baroudi, has spoken about the untapped economic potential of Tunisia’s gypsum reserves. Addressing delegates at the Afro-European Economic Forum in Hammamet, Naboul Governorate, Al-Baroudi said that Tunisia’s reserves were close in volume to those of Canada, which the US Geological Survey reported as having 450Mt in 2024. In Tunisia, deposits of gypsum are situated in the Chaîne du Thaljah Mountains in Gafsa Governorate and in the Oued El Ghar area of Tataouine Governorate.
Initiatives that aim to generate increased value from the reserves include three upcoming gypsum products plants scheduled to launch in 2026 and a major community enterprise for gypsum extraction.
Knauf Ukraine wins Skoviatynske mine licence
20 January 2025Ukraine: Knauf Ukraine has obtained a 20-year licence to mine the 43.9Mt Skoviatynske gypsum deposit in Ternopil, Western Ukraine. Business World Magazine News has reported that the company bid US$2.87m for the asset at auction. Knauf Ukraine already works the nearby Shyshkovets deposit.
UAE: The government of the Emirate of Ras Al Khaimah has launched Ras Al Khaimah Minerals, an investment company for the minerals and metals industries. The Arabian Post newspaper has reported that the government aims to leverage Ras Al Khaimah's natural resources, including gypsum, to attract local and foreign investors. This will help to diversify its economy away from oil and gas.
Kenyan government urged to lift gypsum mining ban in Garissa County
20 November 2024Kenya: Gypsum traders in Garissa have called on the government to lift a ban on gypsum mining in the country. The ban also prevents land allocation and demarcation. The Star newspaper has reported that it resulted from a perceived security threat due to violence at local mines, in which 12 people have died.
Mine owner Issa Kuno invited Cabinet Secretary for Mining, Blue Economy and Maritime Affairs Hassan Joho to visit. He said “Personally, I have never experienced or witnessed any insecurity related to gypsum mining activities."
Natural gypsum mined in Garissa County previously sold for US$38.60/t.
New tenders for gypsum mines in Bikaner
23 August 2024India: The Bikaner District Mining Department plans to issue a new round of tenders for local gypsum mines. The Times of India newspaper has reported that the department previously tendered contracts for the sites in Rajasthan for US$7.27m earlier in 2024.
The Bikaner District Mining Department said “Like every year, gypsum production will be lower until September due to the rainy season. We are hopeful of finding takers this time."
India: Residents of Baramulla have commenced protests against renewed gypsum mining in the district in Jammu and Kashmir. Local press has reported that the protestors claim the operations cause ‘serious’ harm to health and agriculture. The village council of Salamabad responded by temporarily suspending operations at the site in question.
India: Rajasthan State Mines and Minerals has issued a tender for contracts to mine gypsum at multiple sites in Rajasthan. The sites in question are the Baller, Bharu, Dehariya and Kishanpura-2 mines in Bikaner District and the Siyar Ko Koshita mine in Sanchore District. Bidders for the Baller and Dehariya sites must have recorded recent annual sales of at least US$717,000, while those for the other sites must have recorded recent annual sales above US$358,000.
Hormozgan provincial government invests US$455,000 in minerals exploration in first quarter of 2025 financial year
22 July 2024Iran: The government of Hormozgan province invested US$455,000 in surveys for gypsum and other minerals in the first quarter of the 2025 financial year. Trend News has reported that Hormozgan Province presently boasts 300 mines.