UK scientists develop ‘power generating’ diamond

New technology has been developed that uses nuclear waste to generate electricity in a nuclear-powered battery. A team of physicists and chemists from the University of Bristol have grown a... 

Nigeria gets pat on the back for promoting accountable management of natural resources

Nigeria’s efforts to improve natural resource governance through the Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (EITI) Standard were recognised earlier this month by the international EITI... 

Propellant-based rock breaking system mooted as alternative to traditional explosives

It is generally acknowledged that South Africa’s narrow-reef mining sector is in a precarious state as its viability is challenged by declining global commodity prices, labour instability,... 

Carbon tax would have costly implications for mines – Accenture

In South Africa, policymakers and businesses have discussed a carbon tax for several years, starting with the country’s signing of the Copenhagen Agreement in 2009. However, progress has been slow... 

Mining Indaba remains pivotal to Africa

The mineral resources sector remains “critically important” to the African continent, which is why the Investing in African Mining Indaba has consistently been regarded as an event of “paramount... 

Merafe increases FY output, reduces debt

JSE-listed Merafe Resources’ attributable ferrochrome production from the Glencore Merafe Chrome Venture for the year ended December 31, increased by 4% to 107 t, compared with the 101 t produced... 

Despite disappointing Q1 production figures, Lonmin maintains FY17 guidance

Platinum producer Lonmin is disappointed by first-quarter production figures at its Generation 2 shafts; however, with the initiative of deploying additional stoping and vamping crews and the... 

Anglo American Q4 output broadly higher but copper output down 19%

Diversified miner Anglo American achieved higher output for most of its products in the fourth quarter ended December 31, but copper production fell by 19% year-on-year. The lower copper... 

Tough operating climate brings greater transparency emphasis for miners

The mining industry has continued to face significant uncertainty, volatility and pressure to contain costs over the past three years. This unpredictable business environment has given rise to a... 

South Africa’s mining sector at a crossroads, collaborative effort required

The global mining industry has been struggling since the 2008 international financial crisis set off a chain of events resulting in contracted growth in important markets, such as China, and... 

South Africa’s mining sector at a crossroads, collaborative effort required

The global mining industry has been struggling since the 2008 international financial crisis set off a chain of events resulting in contracted growth in important markets, such as China, and... 

Adoption of new technologies can benefit mines, local communities

A raft of highly-matured existing technologies are available to miners in the quest to transform their operations, enhance efficiency, improve productivity, elevate safety levels, and revitalise a... 

Proposed amendments to residue stockpiles and deposits regulations welcomed

Environmental Affairs Minister Edna Molewa in November published the proposed amendments to the Regulations Regarding the Planning and Management of Residue Stockpiles and Residue Deposits for... 

Company looks back on its first decade, upbeat about future fortunes

South African geospatial solution and aerial survey company Southern Mapping celebrated its tenth anniversary last month, reflecting on its many achievements while outlining its aims for the... 

Portia Derby joins Aurecon, advances company’s transformation efforts

Employee-owned consulting engineering company Aurecon is moving its transformation process up a gear with the appointment of Portia Derby to the position of Gauteng senior regional director. She is... 

Worcester set to have a new R61m high school in 2017

Construction of the new Worcester high school, in the Western Cape, is nearing completion and is expected to open its doors in January, the Western Cape government (WCG) said on Thursday. The... 

Dacian secures A$150m for WA gold project

Gold developer Dacian Gold has completed and signed a syndicated facility agreement (SFA) to fund the development of its Mt Morgans gold project, in Western Australia.   Financial institutions... 

Corunna Downs DFS indicates large iron-ore deposit

Iron-ore miner Atlas Iron’s Corunna Downs project, in Western Australia, has the potential to deliver 4-million tons a year of lump and fines direct-shipping iron-ore (DSO) over an initial mine... 

Kibo secures $2.9m forward payment facility for Mbeya project

Tanzania-focused mineral exploration and development company Kibo Mining has entered into a binding term sheet with UK-based private equity provider Sanderson Capital Partners for a new... 

EDD transactions adds R10.8bn to local economy

Settlements concluded during the year by the Economic Development Department (EDD) has resulted in R10.8-billion being released back into the local economy. This included, among others, settlements... 

Medupi’s second unit powered for first time, generates 796 MW

State-owned power utility Eskom revealed on Tuesday that the second unit of its Medupi coal-fired power station, in Limpopo was loaded to full capacity over the weekend and generated 796 MW of... 

Moody’s retains Bidvest’s investment rating, outlook negative

While credit ratings firm Moody’s has kept JSE-listed Bidvest’s investment rating at Baa2 for the local currency global scale long-term outlook, it has changed the outlook to negative. However, it... 

Bacanora in advanced discussions with Asian offtake partner

Aim- and TSX-V-listed lithium and borates company Bacanora Minerals is currently in advanced discussions with a “significant Asian offtake partner” for the supply of battery-grade lithium carbonate... 

Kefi Minerals has a ‘very good’ year, upbeat about 2017 project advancement

Gold exploration and development company Kefi Minerals has had a “very good” 12 months in which it has made solid progress towards becoming a gold production company, said Kefi executive... 

CSG strengthens security portfolio with R57m purchase of Stallion Reaction

Strategic outsourcing company CSG Holdings, through its wholly owned subsidiary, Invictus Risk, will purchase the armed response and monitoring division of Stallion Reaction as a going concern for... 

Capricorn Metals announces discovery of new, high-grade structure

Australian junior gold miner Capricorn Metals has confirmed the presence of a new, high-grade mineralised structure in the immediate footwall of the Bibra gold deposit at its 100%-owned Karlawinda... 

Eskom’s delay in approving PPAs could cost country 15 000 jobs – Sarec

The South African economy is in jeopardy of losing 15 000 possible jobs, associated with 26 Department of Energy- (DoE-) approved renewable energy plants, if State-owned power utility Eskom does... 

Telkom to support subsidiaries with R1.1bn cash injection

State-owned telecommunications services provider Telkom on Monday informed its shareholders that it would grant R1-billion in financial assistance to its subsidiary Business Connexion (BCX). The... 

Glencore outlines $1.1b pricing of tender offers

Diversified mining and marketing company Glencore has priced the offers to purchase up to the maximum tender amount of outstanding notes of $1.1-billion. The total offer consideration relates to... 

Sanral embarks on R226m road resurfacing project

The South African National Roads Agency Limited (Sanral) has announced a R226-million road resurfacing project between the Eastern Cape towns of Grahamstown and Fort Beaufort.    Resurfacing of the... 

Electronic incident reporting, management system touted as best practice

For many years line managers and safety staff in the South African mining industry have tried to understand the relationship between incidents, minor injuries, lost-time injuries, serious injuries... 

Integration of IoT platforms in mining seen as way to enhance productivity

The adoption and implementation of exponential technologies will increase productivity and ensure greater efficiencies throughout the mining sector globally, asserts advisory firm Deloitte digital... 

Report says Zambia needs more friendly tax regime to attract mining investors

Zambia needs a more competitive mining tax regime to entice new and existing investors to invest billions of dollars into the mining industry and boost flagging production, says Zambia Chamber of... 

Systems thinking game aims to bring change to mining industry

Mining industry stakeholders knows that the industry must become more productive and efficient if it is to remain competitive and achieve the returns on investment required by shareholders. Local... 

Report says Zambia needs more friendly tax regime to attract mining investors

Zambia needs a more competitive mining tax regime to entice new and existing investors to invest billions of dollars in the mining industry and boost flagging production, says Zambia Chamber of... 

Petmin sees 2% sales increase, 3% production decline in Q3

Diversified miner Petmin on Friday reported that its production of metallurgical anthracite for the third quarter of the year decreased by 3% year-on-year to 342 536 t, from 352 179 t during the... 

Slide in BEE ownership to 30% won’t affect Eskom supply deals, says Exxaro

Diversified miner Exxaro Resources has assured investors that despite its black ownership falling below the 51% required by State-owned power utility Eskom for all its supply contracts, this will... 

Sibanye testing alternative to explosives-based rock breaking

The South African mining industry requires a paradigm shift in its fundamental approach to mining processes to ensure that it can move away from the use of explosives, says diversified miner... 

DMR insists it ‘engaged comprehensively’ with chamber on revised Mining Charter

The Department of Mineral Resources (DMR) has refuted claims that the Ministry has not actively engaged stakeholders about the draft revised Mining Charter.   The DMR issued a statement stating... 

MPRDA Bill could deter investment in upstream oil and gas industry – lawyer

In January 2015, President Jacob Zuma referred the Mineral and Petroleum Resources Development Act (MPRDA) Amendment Bill to the National Assembly based on reservations that it would not pass...