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Tuesday, Sep 1, 2009.

From Creamer Media in Johannesburg, I'm Jonathan Faurie.

Making headlines today:

South Africa was running the risk of losing business to rival countries because of logistical ineptitude, African Rainbow Minerals (Arm) executive chairperson Patrice Motsepe said on Monday.

He adds that the Transnet issue is an important issue to resolve.

Motsepe said that the problem is that if there is a logistical problem in meeting the growth in demand globally for any of the metals produced by South African companies, countries such as Australia, Brazil move very fast, and those opportunities, primarily because of logistical ineptitude on South Africa's side, are lost.

The company reports that in the last couple of years, there had been a general concern in South Africa around the logistics for the long-term export of manganese ore, given that South Africa had a top-quality resource in the Kalahari.

South African mining company AngloGold Ashanti is going ahead with exploration of what could be a major gold deposit in Colombia despite virulent opposition from local environmentalists.

The project would provide 4 000 jobs in Cajamarca, a farming town of about 20 000 residents during the 20-year life of the operation, if its 12,3-million ounces in unproven reserves are confirmed and the project goes forward.

Between 38% and 42% of net sales would go to the Colombian government in taxes and royalties. The company has invested $35-million in the project so far.

There were some concerns regarding the impact the mining will have on the environment, but the company reports that it is too early to say what methods will be used to extract the gold, but it promises zero environmental damage.

Also making headlines:

Chinese iron-ore prices fall within sight of global benchmark.

Reports indicate that government action is needed to help sustain Canadian mining sector.

Gold major Simmer & Jack Mines may cut 2 500 jobs at Buffelsfontein.

And, Impala Platinum to meet trade unions as strike enters second week.

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