11 apprehended for torching Limpopo mine offices

Eleven people have appeared in court following an attack at the Palabora Mining Company in Phalaborwa, Limpopo. They were apprehended on Friday night following violent protests in the area, police... 

Mining growth projects add glimmer of hope in dreary economic climate

As mining companies turn to domestic growth-development projects, their spending spree may be what the sector needs to lift it from a slump it has endured for many years.  Companies such as... 

Zondo blasts 'negligent' former Eskom board over R1.68bn prepayment to Gupta entity

Failure by the 2015 Eskom board to interrogate the submission to authorise a R1.68-billion prepurchase payment to a Gupta-owned company cast doubt on the directors prudence, with State Capture... 

Red tape costing SA miners their competitive edge, laments Sibanye-Stillwater boss

Rebooting local mining would require a common vision between the sector and government, the CEO of Sibanye-Stillwater Neal Froneman said on Wednesday, adding that a number of growth-inhibiting... 

South Africa now ties Sudan in eleventh place for annual gold production

Once the undisputed largest gold producer in the world, South Africa is now tied with Sudan for annual gold production in eleventh place globally, according to new data from the US. The US... 

There was no alternative to Eskom's R1.68bn prepayment to Tegeta, says Koko Matshela

Matshela Koko, the former head of generation at Eskom, told the state capture commission of inquiry that there was nothing wrong with a controversial R1.68 billion pre-payment which the power... 

Former Eskom manager held 'secret' meetings with Tony Gupta over Tegeta contract

Former Eskom manager, Ayanda Ntetha told the Zondo Commission of Inquiry on Tuesday that she had secret meetings with Tony Gupta at his Saxonwold home to discuss a coal supply contract between the... 

Gupta-linked firm was appointed to market and sell Alexkor joint venture diamonds, inquiry hears

A firm which was appointed to market and sell diamonds for a joint venture that state-owned diamond mining company Alexkor was part of had links to the Gupta family, the judicial commission of... 

The little-known laws that could galvanise South Africa's fight against corruption

After more than 300 days and 2 000 hours of testimony, one of the clearest takeaways from the ongoing state capture inquiry is a repeated failure to report corruption. But according to lawyer Nick... 

Major US business group urges Pence, cabinet to remove Trump

The head of a significant United States business group that represents 14 000 companies including Exxon Mobil Corp, Pfizer Inc and Toyota Motor Corp urged senior US officials to consider removing... 

OR Tambo bust: gold bars worth R61m seized, 3 arrested

Three people were arrested at OR Tambo International Airport after gold bars, with an estimated street value of R61 million, were found in their luggage. National police spokesperson Colonel... 

Legal tug-of-war shutters one of SA's richest chrome mines

A chrome mine in Limpopo, potentially one of the richest in South Africa, has sat idle while a series of arcane court battles ensue between local and Chinese business interests. A development... 

Sars freezes R2.8bn from Chinese rail company that paid Gupta kickbacks

Days before R1.26-billion in frozen funds was due to be released to Gupta-linked Chinese rail group CRRC, the Gauteng High Court in Pretoria on Tuesday handed down an order that the monies remain... 

Eskom to move to stage 4 load shedding from 15:00, cuts to continue over weekend

Power utility Eskom says it will move from stage 2 to stage 4 load shedding at 15:00 on Wednesday due to "exceptionally high demand". Stage 4 power cuts will continue until 22:00. Eskom said cold... 

Gwede Mantashe discharged from hospital

Mineral Resources and Energy Minister Gwede Mantashe has been discharged after he was hospitalised for Covid-19 earlier this month. The Presidency confirmed that Mantashe was discharged from... 

Cops confiscate illegally mined chrome, excavator totalling more than R2m in bust

A Hawks operation has seen police officers seize chrome stockpiles and an excavator totalling more than R2 million in Limpopo, a spokesperson said. The operation at the Modikwa Mine in Burgersfort... 

South Africa's Mantashe tests positive for Covid

The Minister of Mineral Resources and Energy, Gwede Mantashe, and his wife, Nolwandle Mantashe, have tested positive for Covid-19. According to a statement by the Presidency, Mantashe and his wife... 

Govt will ease some restrictions from May 1

President Cyril Ramaphosa has announced a five-level “risk-adjusted strategy” where the country will slowly ease lockdown restrictions starting 1 May. From 1 May, there will be some activity... 

Billions wiped off South Africa market in minutes amid global bloodbath

The JSE’s all share index started the week with an instant loss of 6% in opening trading, as global panic selling intensified. Last week, the JSE lost 15% of its value – and suffered two of its... 

Medupi's killer fumes: The story of a power station's missing air scrubbers

Eskom's megapower station Medupi is suffocating South Africa in more ways than one: It is not just a financial black hole; it is also a health and environmental catastrophe. And the installation of... 

Court declares major Gupta-era coal contract with Eskom invalid

The Special Investigations Unit has secured a high court order setting aside a contract worth R3.7-billion between the formerly Gupta-owned mining group Tegeta Exploration & Resources and State... 

Three alleged illegal miners arrested with gold-processing equipment worth R5m

Three alleged illegal miners arrested with gold-processing equipment worth R5-million were expected to appear in the Westonaria Magistrate's Court in Gauteng on Thursday for illegally processing... 

Ten arrested for stoning of 'zama zama' miners after shootout with cops

Following a shootout with suspected illegal miners on Wednesday, police have arrested ten people that they believe are linked to the stoning and killing of ten illegal miners in Roodepoort in... 

State looking to create power generation entity 'outside of Eskom'

Minister of Mineral Resources and Energy Gwede Mantashe told reporters on the sidelines of the Investing in African Mining Indaba in Cape Town that the government hoped to create a new power... 

Mining companies can generate own power without licenses – Mantashe

Minister of Mineral Resources and Energy Gwede Mantashe told delegates at the Mining Indaba in Cape Town on Monday that government had conceded that it must allow mining companies to produce energy... 

Families of deceased Lily Mine employees to receive legal assistance

Legal papers will be served on the mining company and government entities involved in the deaths of three mine workers at Lily Mine in 2016, People's Dialogue founder Herman Mashaba said on... 

Eskom warns of collapse without higher tariffs as it faces regulator in court

Eskom says if it is not granted tariff increases it wants from March this year, its finances might collapse, triggering a national crisis, as both the State’s credit ratings and consumers’... 

Mines halt operations countrywide as Eskom asks for 20% power savings

Several mining companies in South Africa have had to temporarily shut down domestic operations after receiving requests by Eskom to reduce their load on the national power system. This comes after... 

Public can now weigh in on draft mining bill

Mineral Resources and Energy Minister Gwede Mantashe has gazetted for public comment the draft amendments to the Mineral Petroleum Resources Development Act as well as the guidelines for mine... 

Two mines step in to help Barberton's water crisis

The water crisis facing residents of Barberton in the Mpumalanga Lowveld has been temporarily curtailed after two mines in the area stepped in. The two mines, Barberton and Agnes, are two of the... 

Minister rejects plan for giant coal mine in Gauteng

Barbara Creecy, minister of forestry, fisheries and environmental affairs, dealt a major blow to mining groups Anglo Operations and Canyon Coal, as well as the department of mineral resources,... 

Load shedding could trip up investment, warns Ramaphosa's adviser ahead of conference

Security of energy supply can be an advantage in securing investment, but in SA, load shedding is a "significant investment constraint," president Cyril Ramaphosa's economic adviser Trudi Makhaya... 

Coal will 'be around for a long time', says Mantashe on energy mix

Coal will continue to play a significant role in electricity generation for the country, Mineral Resources and Energy Minister Gwede Mantashe has said. The minister on Friday briefed media on the... 

'This cannot continue', says AMCU after another fatality at Sibanye-Stillwater

Another fatality has occurred at Sibanye-Stillwater's Thembelani shaft in Rustenburg, according to the Association of Mineworkers and Construction Union (AMCU). According to an AMCU statement, it... 

Mantashe says former chair of Central Energy Fund resigned, was not fired

Minister of Mineral Resources and Energy, Gwede Mantashe, has written to the former chairperson of the Central Energy Fund, Luvo Makasi, to say he accepts that he resigned voluntarily and was not... 

Over 30 alleged zama-zamas arrested during police raid in Krugersdorp

More than 30 alleged zama-zamas were arrested on Tuesday morning during a police operation at the Krugersdorp Old Gold Mine in West Village. According to a police statement, the police pounced on a... 

SA lost 30 000 construction jobs over the past year

New numbers released by Statistics SA show a bloodbath in construction jobs over the past months, while the mining sector is steadily employing more people – for now. The Quarterly Employment... 

Former Gupta-linked Optimum Coal Mine goes up in flames

Optimum Coal Mine in Middelburg, Mpumalanga went up in flames after a fire set the mine's conveyor belts alight on Sunday. The Middleburg Observer reports that while it is unclear what caused the... 

Police task team launched in Free State to tackle gangsterism, illegal mining

Police Minister Bheki Cele on Friday welcomed the introduction of a task team to tackle gangsterism and illegal mining in the Free State. The 12-member task team was unveiled at a ministerial... 

Seven years since Marikana massacre and still no justice, says rights institute

Friday marks seven years since 34 mineworkers were shot dead in a burst of police gunfire during a protest at the then Lonmin Platinum's Marikana operations, but families have yet to see justice....