Commodity prices in rands are, in the main, no dripping roast. Particularly when it comes to deep-level mining, the local currency is presenting challenges. Mining Weekly reports in this edition of mining companies with deep assets going this way and that way to get rid of unprofitable outcomes. Much has been written about modernising mines in a technical sense, but, in some of the labour-intensive deep mines, it is the modernisation of people that is now front and centre. Doing the ordinary tasks with extraordinary excellence is the immediate target, which some believe will take on the strong rand. In platinum mining, the strong concentration of supply in this region should also result in eventual upward pressure being put on dollar prices, which will be positive if it eventuates.