Mechanisation key to long-term industry sustainability

Conventional platinum group metals (PGMs) producers are likely to struggle into 2037, as their exposure to increasing labour costs and low production rates tighten margins, Platinum Group Metals... 

SA’s ferrochrome retreat points to steady erosion of competitiveness

The local chromium industry is ostensibly being cut out of global ferrochrome production, owing to its eroding competitiveness and the comparatively ‘low-hanging fruit’ of supplying chromite. While... 

SA’s ferrochrome retreat points to steady erosion of competitiveness

The local chromium industry is ostensibly being cut out of global ferrochrome production, owing to its eroding competitiveness and the comparatively ‘low-hanging fruit’ of supplying chromite. While... 

Covid-19 response built on successful holistic approach

The De Beers Group’s ‘Put Safety First as our Number One Value’ way of work – driven by management and mainstreamed into the operations – has led to numerous successes in terms of the holistic... 

PDS provider ready to implement Level 9 systems

South African-based equipment supplier Booyco Electronics is well advanced in testing its proximity detection systems (PDS) to comply with Level 9 safety standards – despite the fact that, while... 

As firms reopen and pandemic lingers, health and safety obligations rise

By now, most people are aware of measures prescribed by the World Health Organisation to help prevent the spread of Covid-19. However, given the phased reopening of the South African economy, it is... 

As firms reopen and pandemic lingers, health and safety obligations rise

By now, most people are aware of measures prescribed by the World Health Organisation to help prevent the spread of Covid-19. However, given the phased reopening of the South African economy, it is... 

Mandela Mining Precinct can play key role in navigating industry through Covid-19 crisis

Times of crisis and chaos necessitate introspection, creativity and adaptation, and while the Covid-19 pandemic is a challenge that is unprecedented in recent human memory, it highlights how... 

Mandela Mining Precinct can play key role in navigating industry through Covid-19 crisis

Times of crisis and chaos necessitate introspection, creativity and adaptation, and while the Covid-19 pandemic is a challenge that is unprecedented in recent human memory, it highlights how... 

Boipelo uses experience to court juniors

Coal-focused Boipelo Mining Contractors – a Level 2 broad-based black economic empowerment joint venture formed by Murray & Roberts Cementation (MRC) and the Amandla TM Group – having recognised... 

Flexibility, knowledge assist in cost reduction

The coal sector faces immense cost pressures, which are influenced and  exacerbated by uncontrollable macroeconomic factors, notes vibrating equipment solutions provider Kwatani CEO Kim Schoepflin.... 

De Beers’ rough diamonds sales fall to $355m

Diamond miner De Beers earned $355-million from the sale of rough diamonds in its second sales cycle of this year. CEO Bruce Cleaver on Wednesday noted that, in response to improved demand for... 

Sibanye settles Marikana streaming deal

Dual-listed Sibanye-Stillwater’s subsidiaries, Western Platinum, Eastern Platinum and Lonmin – collectively known as the Marikana operations – have entered into a release and cancellation agreement... 

SA mining showing ‘steady improvement’, but concerns linger

It was a mixed bag for the South African mining sector in the South African mining sector, with announcements of renewed investment and newly commissioned operations interspersed with announcements... 

SA mining showing ‘steady improvement’, but concerns linger

It was a mixed bag for the South African mining sector in the South African mining sector, with announcements of renewed investment and newly commissioned operations interspersed with announcements... 

Venetia Underground on track to start production in 2021

The $2-billion Venetia Diamond Mine Underground project remains on track and within budget to achieve first production in 2021. At steady-state production, 5.9-million tonnes of ore will be treated... 

11kV VSD adds significant flexibility and versatility to product offering

e newly developed WEG 11 kV variable-speed drive (VSD) – which forms part of WEG Automation Africa’s new MVW3000 product line – is particularly suited to retrofit applications, notes WEG Automation... 

Venetia Underground on track to start production in 2021

The $2-billion Venetia Diamond Mine Underground project remains on track and within budget to achieve first production in 2021. At steady-state production, 5.9-million tonnes of ore will be treated... 

Emerging entrepreneurs finding it difficult to break into mining sector

Given the sheer number of supplier and enterprise development programmes implemented by mining houses, aided by the Mining Charter III allowing companies to offset up to 30% of their procurement... 

Emerging entrepreneurs finding it difficult to break into mining sector

Given the sheer number of supplier and enterprise development programmes implemented by mining houses, aided by the Mining Charter III allowing companies to offset up to 30% of their procurement... 

South Africa’s e-visa system on track for launch by year-end

Initial reporting around South Africa’s electronic visa (e-visa) programme indicated that a pilot for New Zealand travellers would be launched in April this year. However, a pilot has yet to be... 

Anti-TB, -HIV programme bearing fruit

In January 2016, the Minerals Council South Africa launched the Masoyise iTB project as a three-year, multi-stakeholder mining industry project to tackle HIV/Aids and tuberculosis (TB).... 

Despite assertions coal mining is on the brink, some argue it will be a key sector for SA for decades

The global coal sector can be likened to Austrian physicist Edwin Schrödinger’s cat, or rather, his famous experiment pertaining to quantum superposition. The scenario imagines a situation where a... 

Despite assertions coal mining is on the brink, some argue it will be a key sector for SA for decades

The global coal sector can be likened to Austrian physicist Edwin Schrödinger’s cat, or rather, his famous experiment pertaining to quantum superposition. The scenario imagines a situation where a... 

Minerals Council developing exploration strategy

The Minerals Council South Africa is in the process of developing a draft exploration strategy to present to the Council for Geosciences (CGS) and the Department of Minerals Resources and Energy... 

German investment banking boutique enters African market

Investment banking boutique DGWA - the German Institute for Asset and Equity Allocation and Valuation or “Deutsche Gesellschaft für Wertpapieranalyse GmbH” - has decided to expand its activities in... 

Harmony engaging PNG govt on Wafi-Golpu, evaluating organic prospects

Engagement by the Wafi-Golpu joint venture (JV) with the Papua New Guinea government on the application for a special mining lease for the Wafi-Golpu project was ongoing, Harmony Gold CEO Peter... 

Moab Khotsong, Hidden Valley boost Harmony’s production, cash flows

Harmony Gold on Tuesday reported favourable financial and operating results for the financial year ended June 30, with both output and cash flows having benefited from the inclusion of a full... 

Prieska project epitomises South Africa’s base metals potential – Smart

There is a “fantastic opportunity” for the South African base metals sector, given the Northern Cape’s mineralisation, the impending global copper supply deficit, the battery technology trends in... 

Specialist moves to diversify into agriculture, food & bev

Gauteng-based material transfer specialist Weba Chute Systems is diversifying its client base, officially venturing into the agricultural, food and beverage and paper and pulp industries, says Weba... 

Climate change could lead to tighter water quality regulations – SRK

Climate change is likely to contribute to the deterioration of water quality in South Africa’s rivers and dams which, SRK Consulting partner and principal water and environmental scientist Manda... 

Merafe cuts production as demand weakens, holds back on dividend

The board of JSE-listed Merafe Resources has decided against declaring an interim dividend owing to prevailing market conditions; however, CEO Zanele Matlala on Monday noted that a final dividend... 

Weak demand, prices contribute to 61% decrease in Merafe’s interim profit

JSE-listed Merafe Resources produced a “subdued” set of financial results for the six months ended June 30, as a result of a challenging operational environment, characterised by weak demand and... 

Eskom needs more support from coal producers, SADC – panel

Coal producers should offer State-owned utility Eskom fairer pricing, while the Southern African Development Community (SADC) States should do more to support Eskom, delegates attending the Coal... 

Coal producers urged to focus on local market

South African coal producers should focus on supplying local industries and State-owned power utility Eskom, given the changing and uncertain export environment, XMP Consulting senior coal analyst... 

Full commercial production from newly opened Nokeng expected later this month

The R1.7-billion Nokeng fluorspar mine, which unlisted fluorspar developer Sepfluor has built north-east of Pretoria, in Gauteng, was officially opened on Thursday. The mine is one of only two... 

Aspasa calls for more oversight, increased awareness of legislation

The sand industry, while subject to the Mining and Petroleum Resources Development Act, is still suffering from a lack of “control” or oversight, Aggregate and Sand Producers Association of South... 

Bloodhound high-speed testing set for mid-October start

The Bloodhound supersonic car will participate in a high-speed testing programme at Hakskeenpan, in the Northern Cape, between mid-October and mid-November this year. The car is expected to reach... 

New course embraces twenty-first-century mining

Accurately characterising mining in the digital era is an interesting exercise, Wits Mining Institute (WMI) head Professor Fred Cawood notes, commenting on the array of buzz words such ‘the future... 

Eskom needs more support from coal producers, SADC – panel

Coal producers should offer State-owned utility Eskom fairer pricing, while the Southern African Development Community (SADC) States should do more to support Eskom, delegates attending the Coal...