Toronto-based and Africa-focused project developer Ivanplats has increased resources at two of its largest African projects and is moving to finalise its right to mine South Africa’s platinum- and coproduct-rich Platreef this quarter. Read on page 24 of this edition of Mining Weekly of Ivanplats’ deposit containing an indicated resource of 214-million tons of platinum-group metals, nickel and copper. Ivanplats CEO Robert Friedland made it clear from a public platform in Cape Town in February that he is preparing to fulfil every aspiration of the South African government in building a brand-new long-life, low-cost mechanised platinum mine in Limpopo province. He pledged to mine without killing workers, to sbeneficiate locally, involve the fledgling State mining company, create the broadest of black economic-empowerment partnerships and list in Johannesburg. Like his neighbour, the rich Mogalakwena mine, he expects, at times, to be able to cover all costs with nickel and copper coproducts alone. He looks forward to platinum being “wildly consumptive” as 37 megacities take shape around the world, all of them requiring platinum galore, to crack crude oil and ensure that city air remains clean. Ivanplats is also advancing the Kipushi zinc and copper mine in the Democratic Republic of Congo.

TSX-V-listed explorer Pangolin Diamonds reports the discovery of new kimberlite in diamond-rich Botswana. Read on page 23 of this edition of Mining Weekly of core logging identifying underlying reworked volcaniclastic kimberlite breccias in one drill hole and more kimberlite being indicated in two others.

Australia’s New South Wales Minerals Council this month released case studies that show mining and agri- culture can work together, something South Africa’s Dr Mamphela Ramphele called for earlier this year. Read on page 25 of this edition of Mining Weekly of an Australian olive farmer’s cooperation with Glencore Xstrata at the Atulya Olive Grove, which shares land with the Bulga underground coal mine. Last year, 50 t of olives was produced and processed locally for olive oils used for cooking. Grapes used in Hunter Valley wines are growing above Glencore Xstrata’s Beltana No 1 mine, the vineyards of which yield some 250 000 bottles of wine a year. Seven vintages have emerged since mining began, with negligible impact on the quality of grapes produced.