Infrastructure challenges hinder progress of coal sector

Sandton-based coal developer CIC Energy is keen to export coal from Botswana but says the country’s government urgently needs to make a decision concerning the implementation of the Trans-Kalahari railway line project, as the coal industry needs...

Mining heading towards larger-scale projects – BHP Billiton

The mining industry is heading towards larger-scale projects, says BHP Billiton CEO Marius Kloppers. Kloppers says, in response to Macquarie mining analyst Sam Catalano that BHP Billiton's own focus is on tier-one assets and that largeness is an...

‘Provisional' iron-ore prices poised to become settlement prices – analysts

There may not be an iron-ore price settlement at all this year, and the "provisional" prices that are being charged by iron-ore producers may become the effective benchmark settlement prices, analysts tell Mining Weekly Online. Drama clouded this...

Modder East 'unbelievably profitable', Ventersburg 'really promising' – Gold One

Modder East gold mine on South Africa's East Rand was set to be “unbelievably profitable”, the proposed Ventersburg mine in the Free State was “really promising” and the Tulo prospect in Mozambique could be a “company maker” for the...

Daily podcast – November 17, 2008

In today's podcast: Investment bank Macquarie cut sits 2009 forecasts for base metals, coal and iron-ore by up to 60%; and Rio Tinto has started the sale of its market-leading borates and talcs businesses.

Gold quarterlies to focus on rising costs, operational challenges

The continuous operational challenges of gold mining and increasing cash costs were likely to remain a focus at the release of the gold sector's December quarterly results, but some companies would benefit from the higher rand/gold price,...

Banker believes it can grow borrowings to $800m despite exuberant equity markets

The Specialised Finance division within Nedbank Capital is seeking to expand aggressively its mining and resources offering to international mid-tier companies and expects to grow its dollar-based lending book to around $800-million over the next...

Chinese aluminium firms plan output rises in 2002

China's largest aluminium maker, Aluminium Corp of China (Chalco), and other major producers are bent on raising output this year despite weak prices and oversupply on global markets, company officials have said.