Aspirant US space miners aim to break into tightly South African-held platinum domain

The platinum patch belongs to Southern Africans, or so we thought until new US aspirant space miner Planetary Resources burst on to the scene at the Museum of Flight in Seattle with a plan to mine platinum-group metals (PGMs) in outer space. The...

Consultancy aiming to grow to accommodate more complex projects

Mining projects being established at remote locations need to be much larger than those operating in areas with existing infrastructure to justify capital investment in supporting infrastructure and, therefore, require higher production rates.

Bauba Platinum gives exploration update

Exploration and development company Bauba Platinum on Friday declared an inferred resource of 8.6-million ounces of 4E platinum group metals (platinum, palladium, rhodium and gold) over a portion of the company’s Southern Cluster properties....

Kell technology ignites industry-creating hopes for platinum sector

A new technology – the Kell process – is igniting hopes that South Africa will be able to create a new industrial thrust out of its unique platinum endowment. There is a snowballing conviction at high level that South Africa could and should...

Shortage of rock engineers a problem

South African mine seismology specialist SiM Mining Consultants is increasing awareness of the risks associated with rockbursts in deep-level mines by compiling the mine seismology section for the Chamber of Mines’ (CoM’s) rock engineering...

SA govt grants PTM mining right

Canada’s Platinum Group Metals (PTM) has received a mining right from the South African government for its flagship project in the country, the TSX- and Amex-listed company said on Wednesday. PTM also said it would finalise by the end of the...

Limpopo mine, South Africa

An underground operation, situated in the Limpopo province.

Resources Watch

This week: Eskom is still pursuing a mandatory savings ‘safety net’. Pan African Resources and Wits Gold bid R1.7-billion for Harmony’s Evander mine. And, platinum junior Sable Platinum explores new opportunities along the Bushveld Complex.

Junior exploring new opportunities along Bushveld Complex

Junior platinum exploration company Sable Platinum reports that it is in the initial drilling stages of an extended exploration plan.

Sylvania sees 36% growth in half-year output

Platinum-group metals (PGM) producer Sylvania Platinum on Monday reported a 36% half-year production increase at its dump operations in South Africa. Sylvania Dump Operations, which consists of five tailings retreatment operations in the Bushveld...

Impala Platinum mine, South Africa

An underground operation situated in the North West.

Sentula headline earnings flat, CEO sees volatile period ahead

JSE-listed mining services provider and coal miner Sentula Mining on Friday reported a R230-million loss for the half-year ended September 30, despite a 10% revenue increase to R1.35-billion. Headline earnings, which strip out certain one-off...