Gypsum industry news

Canada: Fortune Minerals has appointed Worley Canada Services to lead an updated feasibility study and assist with permitting for the NICO bismuth, cobalt, copper and gold mine project in Northwest Territories. Dow Jones Institutional News has reported that the project includes a hydrometallurgical plant in neighbouring Alberta that will precipitate gypsum for sale.

Fortune Minerals secured US$12.5m in funding from Alberta Innovates, Natural Resources Canada and the US Department of Defence. The finances will support studies, including for the hydrometallurgical plant, environmental assessments, management plans and authorisations.

Belarus: The Council of Ministers has issued Resolution 688, effecting a temporary ban on exports of most foreign gypsum from the country. Business World Magazine News has reported that the ban only affects gypsum that originates outside of Belarus and Russia.

Oman: The Ministry of Energy and Minerals has announced an auction of four gypsum mines in Thamrait, Dhofar Governorate. Zawya News has reported that the total area of the mines is 27km². Preliminarily assessment of the sites has already taken place. Prospective bidders can participate in the auction through the ministry’s Taqa digital platform.

US: The Oregon Department of Environmental Quality is receiving public comment on its revised 2021 Climate Protection Program, under which natural gas users, including gypsum wallboard producers, will face tighter emissions regulations. The programme will enable plants to buy credits for emissions above regulation level, with the money raised primarily going to fund community-based projects. Local press has reported that the revised rules aim to help realise a 50% reduction in CO₂ emissions by 2035 and a 90% reduction by 2050. The latest revision also shortens companies’ compliance period from three years to two.

Uzbekistan: The Committee for the Development of Competition and Protection of Consumer Rights has classified Knauf Gips Buxoro as a ‘dominant company’ in the gypsum wallboard market. An analysis by the committee ascertained that the producer’s market share exceeds 40%. The designation will require Knauf to conform to specific rules regarding pricing, supply and conditions that affect competition.

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.

Iran: 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.

Germany: A working group of gypsum producers in the Harz region has supported the Mission: Urban Forest Rescue 2024 reforestation initiative in Osterode, Lower Saxony. The group, including CASEA, Saint-Gobain, Rump & Salzmann and VG Orth, donated €12,500 to the initiative.

The Mayor of Osterode, Jens Augat, said "We are pleased about the companies' commitment to conservation, which goes far beyond the required level.”

Oman: The Ministry of Energy and Minerals has launched its Taqa digital investment platform. The Taqa platform will help to leverage digital technologies in the energy and minerals sectors. It includes investor packages for bidding, inspections and licence management. Gypsum quarries will be among sites included in an initial set of studies available on the platform.

Acting Director of the Petroleum Concessions Department Raya Al Abri said “This will allow investors and companies to bid transparently and within a fair competitive environment, based on technical expertise, financial solvency and value-added priorities.”

Canada: Wheatland County Municipal Planning Commission has granted Canadian Gypsum Company permission to build a gypsum wallboard plant in Wheatland, Alberta. The Canadian Press has reported that the company, along with Invest Alberta Corporation and the government of Alberta, will invest US$153m in the project.