Current power price path will squeeze SA competitiveness

South Africa’s international competitiveness will increasingly be dampened by the rapid rate at which the domestic electricity price is rising, Energy Intensive User Group chairperson Mike Rossouw said on the second day of the Africa Energy...

Trends in the international investment market impact on PGM prices

Investment flows into the South African metals sector have had a profound impact on the price dynamics of the market over the past few years and platinum-group metals (PGMs) has been no exception, independent precious metals research consultancy...

Move away from nationalisation to serve as incentive for investors

In the Mozambique government’s bid to attract foreign investment and multiply about $3-billion that has been injected into the country over the past five years, it is steering away from nationalising its minerals, of which coal is a significant...

Advancements in emulsion pumps improve power consumption

German pumps company Netzsch Pumps & Systems has improved the product life and power consumption of its Nemo pump for explosive emulsions.

Carbon tax will snag beneficiation plans, says Exxaro CEO

The possible introduction of carbon tax on top of rising electricity tariffs, higher labour costs and statutory social obligations could stop mineral beneficiation from taking place in South Africa, says Exxaro CEO Sipho Nkosi. In the last two...

Company Announcement: Transnet posts strong half-year results

Transnet SOC Ltd today announced an impressive set of financial results for the six months to 30 September 2011 as ongoing efficiency and productivity improvement and capital expenditure boost growth in volumes.

Lace mine could cost up to R126m – DiamondCorp

Aim-listed DiamondCorp said on Monday that it would cost between R100-million and R126-million to bring its Lace mine in South Africa’s Free State into full production. The cost, which was determined by a detailed review of full-scale mine...

BHP Billiton continues as the hardest hat in global mining

Around the turn of the millennium, the bosses of Billiton, then an ambitious South African mining company, sat in the lobby of a big fund manager waiting to talk up their firm’s prospects. At first they were welcomed warmly. But their hosts’...

State-owned mining researcher Mintek keeping head above water

South Africa’s R400-million-a-year State-owned minerals research institute, Mintek, managed to generate a slender profit of R1,7-million in 2009/10, which was something of an annus horribilis for many in the wake of the global economic...

State-owned mining researcher Mintek keeping head above water

South Africa's R400-million-a-year State-owned minerals research institute Mintek managed to generate a slender profit of R1,7-million in 2009/10, which was something of an annus horribilis for many in the wake of the global economic meltdown. It...

Merafe says Q3 ferrochrome output down 7%

South African miner Merafe Resources on Tuesday reported a 7% drop in third quarter ferrochrome production, owing to reduced operating capacity. The JSE-listed company, which produces ferrochrome in a joint venture with Xstrata, said that the...

IFM expects ferrochrome demand to strengthen

Ferrochrome-producer International Ferro Metals (IFM) said on Tuesday it expected ferrochrome demand to strengthen over the next quarter, supported by an anticipated rise in stainless steel demand and seasonal production cuts by South African...