Gold likely range-bound in short term – Fitch

The price of gold is not expected to move too much in the short term, at least until the next real shift in global markets, Fitch Ratings said on Wednesday. In a report on the outlook for the yellow metal, Fitch analysts predict that, while the...

Mwana to rebuild operations as Zimbabwe’s economic climate improves

The partial improvement in commodity prices, in particular nickel and other base metals, the continued strength in the gold price and improving economic conditions in Zimbabwe were expected to bode well for London-listed resources company Mwana...

Gold sector outperformed other global fund sectors in Q1 – S&P’s

The gold and mining sector was the top performer among 16 global fund sectors monitored by ratings agency Standard and Poor’s (S&P’s) Fund Services, with a 11,1% return on the median fund during the first quarter of 2009. “Gold was boosted...

Base-metals outlook remains weak, gold price seen improving

Base-metals prices would likely remain weak in the short term, while the gold price would continue to improve towards the end of this year, analysts said on Monday. Ratings agency Standard & Poor’s (S&P’s) has revised the outlook for metals...

SA diamond output seen declining until 2011

South Africa’s diamond production would continue to decline until at least 2011, as demand for this luxury item would remain weak as a result of the aftereffects of a global economic crisis, analysts agreed on Monday. Growth consultancy firm...

SA mining output expected to fall further this year – Fitch

The outlook for South Africa’s mining output remained dim, with a recovery in demand and market conditions for commodities not expected to occur before 2011, ratings agency Fitch Ratings reported on Friday. The agency expected the country’s...

Base-metals demand could pick up in H2 – Fitch

Although growth in the global base-metals sector was expected to slow over the next 12 months, ratings agency Fitch Ratings stated that improvement in credit availability and implementation of fiscal stimulus programmes could result in stronger...

Fitch affirms Implats ratings, outlook

South African platinum producer Impala Platinum’s (Implats’) ratings and outlook were unaffected by the change in the country’s sovereign long-term foreign currency outlook to negative, from stable, ratings agency Fitch affirmed on...

Fitch affirms BBB+ rating for acquisitive Impala

International ratings agency Fitch Ratings on Friday affirmed its current ratings for platinum-miner Impala Platinum (Implats), a day after the company announced plans to buy South Africa's Mvelaphanda Resources and rival Northam Platinum for...

Daily podcast – September 23, 2008

In today's podcast: the ANC assures that Mbeki's departure will not translate into any major changes in macroeconomic policy, Agrément South Africa kicks off its thirteenth AGM and, Chamber of Mines economist Roger Baxter says that the South...

Fitch affirms AngloGold Ashanti’s national ratings, outlook stable

International ratings agency, Fitch Ratings, has affirmed AngloGold Ashanti’s national ratings at a long-term 'AA-(zaf)' (AA minus) with a stable outlook, and a short-term 'F1+(zaf)'. The agency said in a statement, on Monday, that AngloGold...

Daily podcast – August 12, 2008

In today's podcast: Moody's cuts Eskom's local and foreign currency ratings, Group Five says that the construction sector will remain strong for the foreseeable future and, more than 700 union members at the Helem diamond mine down tools to demand...