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Friday, September 11, 2009.

From Creamer Media in Johannesburg, I'm Shannon O'Donnell.

Making headlines today:

South African diversified-miner Exxaro Resources has suspended operations at its Zincor refinery in Springs, Gauteng, after an explosion killed three people and left 12 injured on Thursday.

Exxaro said operations were halted to allow for investigations to take place, as well as for the full restoration of electricity supply, which was damaged in the incident.

Preliminary information showed that an explosion had occurred in the maintenance contractors' storage area situated near the plant. The accident happened while contractors were gathered and being briefed before work started.

South Africa's State-owned Industrial Development Corporation has taken the Pamodzi Gold liquidation case to a new level of intensity. It's confirmed that it would be applying to the High Court for the liquidation of Pamodzi Gold Limited, the suspended JSE holding company, in a move seen as a prelude to a full forensic investigation into the financially stricken company.

If the IDC's application is successful, the holding company will also be placed under liquidation, just like all the Pamodzi Gold operations, pulling the rug from under the feet of the founding Pamodzi Gold management, who are attempting to win back the company with the help of 626-million-rand from the China Africa Development Fund.

Founding Pamodzi Gold Limited chairperson Ndaba Ntsele quickly responded to the news, saying that he would vigorously oppose the application.

IDC executive Danile Niyalunga confirmed that the legal process was under way, and the liquidator of the mining operations, Enver Motala, said that IDC's liquidation application had been brought to his attention.

Also making headlines:

Alpha Natural Resources expects higher metallurgical and steam coal prices in 2010.
Diamond-miner Harry Winston posts a 24,5-million-dollar second quarter loss.
Guinea says it will audit at least three mining firms.
And, South Africa's total mining output increased by 4,8% in July, but gold production continued to decline.

That's a round up of news making headlines today. For more on these and other stories please visit miningweekly.com.