South Africa must take full advantage of its prematurely halted mining R&D

The disbanded South African mining industry’s research and development (R&D) arm Comro handed South Africa’s State-owned Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) the mining R&D it had... 

Current low PGM prices not reflective of supply-demand fundamentals – Nedbank CIB

Platinum group metals (PGM) prices, where they are now, do not reflect the medium to long-term supply demand fundamentals. Instead, they are driven by short-term distortions, which imply that a... 

New platinum-based hydrogen fuel cell as cheap to make as conventional car engine

The brand-new platinum-catalysed hydrogen fuel cell system that has just been released for passenger cars reveals that fuel cells can be as cheap to manufacture as internal combustion engines... 

Minerals Council South Africa setting out to boost local demand for green hydrogen

Minerals Council South Africa is focused on increasing the domestic demand for green hydrogen, which it sees as contributing to the kickstarting of the hydrogen economy in South Africa. “The... 

Exceptional blue Cullinan diamond lifts latest Petra tender prices by 22%

The sale by Southern African diamond mining company Petra Diamonds of an exceptional blue diamond in its fifth tender cycle lifted the average prices per carat received 22% higher than those of the... 

Odds-on entry of palladium, platinum into EVs highlighted by research update

New York- and Toronto-listed Platinum Group Metals, which is emerging in South Africa’s Waterberg, on Tuesday provided an update on its new light battery technology that points to increasing... 

PGM market development has paid dividends, could pay many more, Platinum Day told

The market development aspect of the platinum group metals (PGM) industry is fundamentally key, it was repeatedly stated at last week’s 2024 Resources for Africa Platinum Day. There is strong... 

Deceased metals legend David Davis will be missed

Metal markets analyst Dr David Davis, who passed away this week at the age of 77, was closely associated with the platinum, gold and uranium mining and investment for more than four decades.  Known... 

On-The-Air (12/04/2024)

Martin Creamer talks about green hydrogen and platinum group metals. 

Special ‘prescribed’ status for Harmony’s Aussie copper project

The copper mining project that Johannesburg Stock Exchange-listed Harmony Gold is developing in Australia has been granted special ‘prescribed project’ status in recognition of its social and... 

$10-billion Namibian green hydrogen project receives major German boost

Namibia’s first gigawatt scale green hydrogen project – the $10-billion Hyphen development scheme – this week received a major boost from Germany. The boost came in the form of the German... 

Excellent mining-linked agri opportunity on Far West Rand must now be accelerated

Gauteng’s Far West Rand mining-linked area has always had excellent agricultural potential. In fact, the area had all the makings of a colossal market garden had early mining not dewatered the... 

South Africa well placed to benefit from huge green hydrogen outlook, attendees hear

Green hydrogen has a massive potential future and South Africa is very well positioned to produce it, attendees of the Hydrogen Economy Discussion heard on Thursday. Most of the 90-million tonnes... 

Market development of full PGMs basket is essential, Industry Day hears

Representatives of the producers of 90% of the world’s climate-vital platinum group metals (PGMs) heard during Wednesday’s PGMs Industry Day that market development of the full PGMs basket – and... 

Platinum-linked green hydrogen set to be world’s ‘new oil’, Forbes article highlights

There's no climate solution without hydrogen. It’s the missing piece of the clean energy puzzle, says a global CEO-led initiative that brings together leading companies with a united vision. This... 

Artificial intelligence to be applied to Botswana Diamonds’ database

London- and Botswana-listed diamond company Botswana Diamonds is going to apply artificial intelligence (AI) techniques to its Botswana database, the company said on Tuesday, April 9. Involved are... 

Use underground mines for electricity storage, optimise mine water use – Karst Hydro

South Africa’s many underground mines can be used as batteries that store the clean electricity that the water descending for cooling can provide. At the same time, the local community could end up... 

Mines investing R46m to put an end to fall-of-ground fatalities

South Africa’s mining industry is investing R46-million in an action plan to eliminate fall-of-ground (FoG) fatalities. The FoG action plan is being implemented through Minerals Council South... 

Stage set for mining explosives centenarian to capture global top-three spot

The stage is set for proudly South African mining explosives trailblazer, AECI, to become the third biggest in its field globally by 2030, AECI Group chairperson Dr Khotso Mokhele told an... 

Copper 360 output set to quickly increase twofold on Nama Copper acquisition

Energetic Northern Cape copper mining company Copper 360 this week produced the first concentrate from the plant it has just acquired from Nama Copper, which becomes its second concentrator plant... 

RBCT, TFR show that private-public collaboration can work very well – Menar

The private-sector’s Richards Bay Coal Terminal (RBCT) and the State’s Transnet Freight Rail (TFR) have shown that the private sector and State-owned entities can work together very well, Menar MD... 

Southern Africa working together on green hydrogen front is right way to go

A dozen scientists from the Southern African Development Community will be travelling to Germany in May to obtain in-depth insight into green hydrogen, the clean fuel that is derived from Southern... 

New electrochemical PGMs demand on way, iridium scarcity fears eased still further

A far-reaching new drive is under way to ease iridium scarcity still further and, especially in the short term, demand for platinum group metals (PGMs) from electrochemical processes is on the way.... 

South Africa’s ARM to acquire 15% of Canada’s Surge Copper

Diversified mining company African Rainbow Minerals (ARM) has entered into a subscription agreement for a private placement financing with Surge Copper, a Canadian company that is advancing an... 

Current low PGM prices not reflective of supply/demand fundamentals – Nedbank CIB

Platinum group metals (PGM) prices, where they are now, do not reflect the medium to long-term supply demand fundamentals. Instead, they are driven by short-term distortions, which imply that a... 

New platinum-based hydrogen fuel cell as cheap to make as conventional car engine

The brand-new platinum-catalysed hydrogen fuel cell system that has just been released for passenger cars reveals that fuel cells can be as cheap to manufacture as internal combustion engines... 

Wind generation up, solar operational soon, Exxaro reports

Group wind power generation last year increased by 8% and the Lephalale solar power project is on its way to being operational in the first quarter of next year, Exxaro CE Dr Nombasa Tsengwa... 

South African gold producer to be publicly traded entity in combination with US group

South African gold producer Aurous, which owns and operates the Blyvoor gold mine and the Gauta tailings retreatment project on Gauteng's West Rand, has announced plans to go public through a... 

Stationary hydrogen power highlighted as major solution by Toyota fuel-cell-using developer

When Engineering News & Mining Weekly covered last month’s local launch of BMW’s first hydrogen car fleet on South Africa's roads, we discovered that BMW’s hydrogen refilling station in Midrand is... 

Mining potential must be turned into strong mining activity with public-sector help

South Africa’s minerals energy complex, which was once world renowned, needs to be fixed to ensure that this country does not miss another upward mining cycle. First it was the energy side of the... 

More green hydrogen insight on way as Southern African scientists head to Germany

Twelve scientists from Southern African Development Community (SADC) countries will head to Germany in May, where they will have an opportunity to obtain more in-depth insight into green hydrogen... 

DRDGOLD to determine economic viability of copper recovery from Copper 360’s tailings dams

Northern Cape copper company Copper 360 announced on Wednesday that it has signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with DRDGOLD’s Far West Gold Recoveries tailings retreatment subsidiary to... 

Mechanical cutting is going to be key for mining going forward – Master Drilling

Mechanical cutting, in which huge progress is being made, is going to be key for the mining industry going forward, Master Drilling CEO Danie Pretorius emphasised on Tuesday, when his Johannesburg... 

Harmony’s Eva copper mine project in Australia granted special ‘prescribed’ status

The copper mining project that Johannesburg Stock Exchange-listed Harmony Gold is developing in Australia has been granted special ‘prescribed project’ status in recognition of its social and... 

Ferrochrome benchmark price settles higher

The European benchmark ferrochrome price for the second quarter of this year has been settled at $1.52/lb, 5.6% up on the first three months of 2024, Merafe Resources informed shareholders on... 

Expect digital unveiling, more innovation, greenness from 100-year-old mining-wired AECI

Mining explosives and chemicals company AECI, which turned 100 this week, will be unveiling a digital strategy for the mining market during the course of this year. It is also looking to become... 

$10-billion Namibian green hydrogen project receives major German boost

Namibia’s first gigawatt scale green hydrogen project – the $10-billion Hyphen development scheme – this week received a major boost from Germany. The boost came in the form of the German... 

Sibanye-Stillwater confident in price-hit PGMs

While the operating environment remains challenging, with macro-economic and geo-political uncertainty persisting, the medium- to long-term view of Sibanye-Stillwater remains largely unchanged on... 

New solar farm being built in Limpopo, wind boost on way from W Cape – Northam

Platinum group metals (PGMs) mining company Northam Platinum has begun construction of an 80 MW solar power farm at its Zondereinde operation in Limpopo – and the Johannesburg Stock Exchange-listed... 

Implats experiencing strong PGMs demand, working on pulling hydrogen uptake closer

Platinum group metals (PGM) mining, refining, and marketing company Implats, which reported solid production in a low-price environment on Thursday, is ironically still experiencing strong demand...