Strong lithium prices predicted until at least 2021

Lithium prices are likely to remain elevated at around $9 500/t till at least 2021, which is a significant increase on its historic pricings of $6 500/t. This is attributable to rising demand and... 

After three years of decline, gold price rises as investors return to sector

Gold prices increased on an annual average basis in 2016, after declining for three consecutive years, with the price increase primarily driven by investors returning to gold. This is according to... 

Mines seeking to ensure safe, productive operations

Amid the scramble to acquire capital for reinvestment in the mining industry, a group of executives participated in a roundtable discussion at the recent 2017 Investing in African Mining Indaba, in... 

Mobile power plants mooted as solution to African mines’ electricity woes

One of the main topics of discussion at the recent 2017 Mining Indaba revolved around power supply to mines on the continent. With official power distribution grids only covering around 40% of... 

DMR to be more flexible with small-scale mining applicants

The Department of Mineral Resources (DMR) will “amend and relax” some of its conditions in issuing mining permits to small-scale miners, said Mineral Resources Deputy Minister Godfrey Oliphant last... 

Cautious optimism prevails in mining as prices rise, shallow growth returns

For the first time in a number of years, there is a mood of cautious optimism in the mining industry, with commodity prices on the rise, shallow growth returning to different end markets and most... 

Chamber of Mines ‘seriously concerned’ about Gordhan’s dismissal

The Chamber of Mines has added its voice to the chorus of parties that are worried about the consequences of President Jacob Zuma’s decision to reshuffle his Cabinet. Those that were removed from... 

Coal junior targets near-threefold output increase to 10Mt/y in two years

Junior coal mining company Canyon Coal is producing 300 000 t/m of run-of-mine (RoM), which equates to 3.6-million tons of coal a year across all its operations. However, the company is aiming to... 

Radical attitudinal shift needed to improve productivity – SRK

A change in attitudes, from the boardroom to the operational pit level, will be the only way for mines to escape low productivity levels and find a path back to long-term sustainability, says... 

Coal junior targets near-threefold output increase to 10Mt/y in two years

Junior coal mining company Canyon Coal is producing 300 000 t/m of run-of-mine (RoM), which equates to 3.6-million tons a year of coal across all its operations. However, the company is aiming to... 

Amplats unveils social and labour plan projects

Platinum miner Anglo American Platinum (Amplats) hosted Deputy Mineral Resources Minister Godfrey Oliphant at the official handover ceremony of a number of the company’s social and labour plan... 

Bushveld outlines vision to transform from explorer to junior miner

Diversified mineral development company Bushveld Minerals is confident that it will soon unlock the vanadium mineral resource potential of the Bushveld Igneous Complex (BIC) – which spans the North... 

Harmony aims to increase gold production from 1.1Moz to 1.5Moz in three years

Dual-listed Harmony Gold is aiming to increase its yearly gold production from the current 1.1-million to 1.5-million ounces over the next three years. This would be achieved by undertaking... 

Govt to ‘amend and relax’ laws for small-scale miners in bid to combat illegal mining

JOHANNESBURG (miningweekly.com) –  The Department of Mineral Resources (DMR) will “amend and relax” some of its conditions in issuing mining permits to small-scale miners, Mineral Resources Deputy... 

‘Barometer’ provides assessment of mineral resources industry transparency

Governments are challenged with creating new approaches to governance that enable them to better exploit the developmental potential provided by mineral resources. It is therefore imperative that... 

‘Women, local communities must play greater role in mining’

Women must be encouraged and supported to play a greater role in Africa’s mining industries, states Zambian Mines, Energy and Water Development Minister Christopher Yaluma. The Minister, who was... 

Simplified processes, suitable technologies key to success – diamond miners told

Historically diamond plants were designed on the basis of process engineering excellence. However, this focused excessively on ensuring maximum diamond liberation and recovery, rather than on the... 

Mine mechanisation and automation accelerating in South Africa and globally, says Sandvik

The mechanisation and automation of mines in South Africa and globally is accelerating, with ancillary support services, such as information technology (IT), information transfer and data analysis,... 

Harmony plans to grow output to 1.5Moz, outlines acquisition criteria

Dual-listed Harmony Gold is aiming to increase its yearly gold production from the current 1.1-million to 1.5-million ounces over the next three years. This would be achieved by undertaking... 

Oliphant visits various Amplats-led SLP projects in Rustenburg

Platinum miner Anglo American Platinum (Amplats) on Friday hosted Deputy Mineral Resources Minister Godfrey Oliphant at the official handover ceremony of a number of the company’s social and labour... 

Faulty statistics to blame for belief that PGM prices are inaccurately low – report

Platinum group metals (PGMs) market analysts have expressed confusion that platinum and palladium prices have been cut in half over the past few years while the PGM statistics they use show... 

Commodities supply shortfall looming following years of underinvestment

Several years of little or no investment in exploring for and developing new mining projects has resulted in the emergence of an impending commodity supply cliff in a number of resource sectors,... 

West African explorer targets Ghana gold project

Gold exploration company GoldStone Resources is aiming to focus its resources on developing the company’s flagship Homase-Akrokerri gold project, in Ghana, says CEO Emma Priestley. She says it is... 

Caledonia targeting higher output, lower costs at Zim mine

Southern Africa-focused gold miner Caledonia Mining Corporation aims to have its Blanket gold mine, in Zimbabwe, produce 60 000 oz of gold at all-in sustaining costs (AISCs) of between $810/oz and... 

Mining deaths up 31% since January

South African Colliery Management Association (Sacma) president Kevern Mattison has called for a “revolutionary step change” to achieve the mining industry’s goal of achieving ‘zero harm’. He... 

MPRDA Amendment Bill to redress racial, economic inequalities – DMR

Radical economic transformation is a key driving force behind the creation of the Mineral and Petroleum Resources Development Amendment Act (MPRDA) Amendment Bill, says Department of Mineral... 

Form partnerships and seek community acceptance, mines urged

Forming partnerships and social acceptance by communities are the two key factors miners need to ensure to promote sustainability in the mining industry, says University of Cape Town Department of... 

Coal industry expresses concern over fatalities

South African Colliery Management Association (Sacma) president Kevern Mattison has called for a “revolutionary step change” to achieve the mining industry’s goal of achieving ‘zero harm’. The plea... 

SA-based company partners with Chad to develop country’s nascent minerals sector

Gold mining, refining and resources development company Quaestec Gold Africa Resources has partnered with the government of Chad to develop the Central African country’s nascent mineral resources... 

‘Ground-breaking equipment’ set to join Babcock’s product line this year

Engineering support services company Babcock announced at the Investing in African Mining Indaba that it would be launching “ground-breaking construction equipment” during the course of this year.... 

SA-based company partners with Chad to develop country’s nascent minerals sector

Gold mining, refining and resources development company Quaestec Gold Africa Resources has partnered with the government of Chad to develop the Central African country’s nascent mineral resources... 

ELB, ENFI team up to advance joint interests in rest of Africa

South African engineered solutions provider ELB Engineering Services and Chinese engineering company ENFI Engineering Corporation have signed a strategic partnership agreement to tackle mineral and... 

'Coal is critical for Africa's development'

Coal is required for the industrialisation of Africa, particularly as several African countries are experiencing significant development and expansion of their industrial sectors, says mining... 

Africa, Middle East seen emerging as biggest importers of South African coal

In 2016, 50% of South Africa’s 73-million tons of export coal was delivered to South Asian countries with Africa receiving only four-million tons of South African produced coal. However, it is... 

Coal punted as 'possible solution' to Egypt's power challenges

With Egypt’s energy consumption increasing at about 7% a year, along with its low crude oil and gas production rates, coal-fired power generation is increasingly being touted as a possible solution... 

De Beers revenue up 30% to $6.1bn on stronger demand

Higher revenues contributed to a 42% improvement year-on-year in diamond miner De Beers’ underlying earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortisation (Ebitda) to $1.4-billion in 2016.... 

Anglo exceeds target as 2016 net debt declines to $8.5bn

Diversified miner Anglo American is this year seeking an additional $1-billion in incremental net cost and volume improvements, while also aiming to return to an investment-grade credit rating and... 

Eastern basin AMD plant lauded for success achieved since coming on stream in June 2016

Water and Sanitation Minister Nomvula Mokonyane has lauded the successes achieved by the Eastern Basin acid mine drainage (AMD) treatment plant, located in the town of Springs, in Gauteng, since it... 

Implats posts R318m in six months to December

Platinum miner Impala Platinum (Implats) has recorded a gross loss of R318-million for the six months to December 31, a significant increase on the loss of R40-million recorded in the six months to... 

MPRDA Amendment Bill to propel ‘radical economic transformation’

Radical economic transformation is a key driving force behind the creation of the Mineral and Petroleum Resources Development Amendment Act (MPRDA) Amendment Bill, says Department of Mineral...