Chinese construction to provide short-term boost for commodity prices

JOHANNESBURG (miningweekly.com) – The overall view for the global mining industry in the coming years is “moderately positive” owing to the ongoing fiscal spending on construction, mostly driven by... 

Move to integrate virtual and physical value chains

Digitalisation offers the opportunity to integrate virtual value chains into existing physical value chains, allowing for the development of a “digital twin” that can be used to improve product... 

Study forecasts strong growth in demand for lubricants in SA and Nigeria

According to research from growth consultancy Frost & Sullivan, the volatility of oil prices and the devaluating currencies of (?) Nigeria and South Africa are set to provide a huge boost for the... 

Majority of Southern Africans ‘desperately poor’ despite region’s mineral endowment

Despite its mineral resources, the South African Development Community (SADC) region had the worst health and poverty gap on the planet, Bench Marks Foundation chairperson Dr Jo Seoka said at the... 

Two-year renewal for Zebediela nickel project prospecting rights

Aim-listed base metals and uranium exploration company URU Metals announced earlier this month that it successfully renewed the three prospecting rights encompassing its Zebediela nickel project,... 

New FNB app simplifies financial decision-making when buying or selling property

First National Bank (FNB) has launched its nav›› Home edition digital financial navigation service last month, which simplifies customers’ financial decision-making when buying or selling property.... 

16 emerging contractors hired on Eastern Cape housing initiative

The Coega Development Corporation (CDC) reported last month that it had built 496 houses in the small town of Moltena, outside of Queenstown, in the Eastern Cape, on behalf of the Department of... 

Chinese demand breaks five-year commodities downward spiral

Chinese commodity demand being higher than expected helped breaking a downward trend in global demand starting in 2011, however, global financial services provider Macquarie advised that the mining... 

Gold Fields’ September-quarter output 4% down year-on-year

Gold mining major Gold Fields’ attributable equivalent gold production for the quarter ending September 30 2016 was 4% lower year-on-year and 2% higher compared with Q2 2016 at 537 000 oz, the... 

Gold Fields plans $1.4bn investment to extend Damang’s life-of-mine

Gold Fields will invest $1.4-billion to extend the life of its Damang mine, in Ghana, from 2017 to 2024, the company announced last month at its third quarter operating update in Johannesburg. Over... 

Survey shows only modest rise in innovation performance by SA firms

South African companies have shown only marginal growth in innovation in 2016, business management consultancy Accenture’s Innovation Index finds. A total of 57% of respondents were found to be... 

Impact of digital disruption starting to be felt by business

Availability and business recovery company Veeam hosted its VeeamON Tour conference earlier this month, where trend analysis consultancy Flux Trends owner and top South African trend analyst Dion... 

Shell launches diluent for North American market

At this year’s MINExpo International, which took place last month in Las Vegas, in the US, global petrochemicals group Shell launched its ShellSol 2046NA solvents extraction diluent tailored for... 

SA-manufactured electric drive haulier prototype to enter service at PGM mine in 2017

Progress on integrated mining solutions provider Fermel’s 25 t direct electric drive hauler prototype is 85% complete and scheduled to be deployed with locally developed high-speed charging... 

Gold Fields aims to increase production in W Africa

Gold mining major Gold Fields announced earlier today that it would like to increase gold production from its West African assets to a million ounces a year. The company currently owns and operates... 

Gold Fields invests $1.4bn to extend Damang’s life-of-mine

Gold Fields will invest $1.4-billion to extend the life of its Ghana-based Damang mine from 2017 to 2024. Over the life of the mine, a total of 165-million tons will be mined at Damang, with... 

Gold Fields maintains FY output guidance despite 4% y/y drop in Q3 output

Gold major Gold Fields’ attributable equivalent gold production for the quarter to September 30, decreased by 4% year-on-year to 537 000 oz. Production was, however, 2% higher than the 529 000 oz... 

Continental vision identifies mining’s role in transforming economies

The need to diversify Africa’s primary-resource export-focused economies in support of other industry-related value chains is key to helping transform the continent’s economy and generate greater... 

Sacci calls on members to play part in averting ratings downgrade

South Africa’s current economic growth does not reflect the country’s potential and the South African Chamber of Commerce and Industry’s (Sacci’s) members must help build the economy and steer the... 

African value chains key to building economic resilience, Davies avers

Intercontinental trade in Africa was key to provide impetus for industrialisation and more resilient economic growth, Trade and Industry Minister Dr Rob Davies noted during the the South African... 

Continental vision identifies mining’s role in transforming economies

The need to diversify Africa’s primary resource export-focused economies in support of other industry-related value chains is key to helping transform the continent’s economy and generate greater... 

New knife-gate valve can slash maintenance time to just 15 minutes

Global mechanical pipe-joining systems manufacturer Victaulic launched its Series 795 knife-gate valve onto the South African market in August. The valve is designed to contain all the parts... 

Vlakfontein landfill first to meet South Africa’s tough new hazardous-waste requirements

South African hazardous-waste landfill sites have a new best-practice champion in multinational waste-management company Averda’s R250-million Vlakfontein high-hazardous-class landfill site, in the... 

Saldanha Bay phosphate project moves to feasibility study stage

Gauteng-based phosphate and limestone-focused producer Adelaide Ruiters Mining and Exploration (ARME) in August appointed engineering consultants DMT Kai Batla and Royal Haskoning DHV for ARME’s... 

Sub-Saharan Africa most promising market for microgrids – APR Energy

Cost-effective electricity solutions provider APR Energy believes that rural micro-grid installations represens the most significant market opportunity for micro-grid technology because of the... 

Energy now one of top three risks facing mining and metals sector

Engineering and science consultancy SRK Consulting held its 360° Mining Perspective earlier this month in Johannesburg, where some of the company’s leading engineers and scientists discussed some... 

South Africa’s economic woes largely self-inflicted – CDE

While the historical legacy of apartheid and the global economic slowdown have contributed to South Africa’s poor economic growth, Centre for Development and Enterprise (CDE) executive director Ann... 

Consultancy proposes ways to kick-start South Africa’s GDP growth

Five actionable plans would be key to help kick-start South Africa’s gross domestic product (GDP) growth – currently standing at below 1% – and address the country’s triple threat of unemployment,... 

University of Pretoria to present industry-focused diamond short course

The University of Pretoria’s (UP’s) Department of Geology will present a diamond short course from October 18 to 21, which includes a site visit to diamond miner Petra Diamonds’ Cullinan mine, in... 

Blanket mine output rises 23% y/y in Q3

Aim- and TSX-listed Caledonia Mining’s 49%-owned Blanket mine, in Zimbabwe, produced 13 430 oz of gold in the third quarter, representing an increase of 23% year-on-year and 7.4%... 

Local company to be sole agent for Chinese electrolitic cells in Africa

Specialised corrosion-resistance and surface-protection company Industrial Acid Proofing (IAP) last month secured the sole distributorship to supply China-based Hebei Ancor Tecmin KNT Polymer... 

Chinese technology group outlines African IoT strategy

The Asia-Pacific and African markets have been instrumental to the success of global information and communications technology (ICT) solutions provider Huawei. Speaking at the Huawei Connect 2016... 

Power management company showcases new products at Electra Mining

Power Management Company Eaton launched a number of new products at this year’s Electra Mining Africa exhibition, which took place earlier this month at the Expo Centre, in Johannesburg. “We pride... 

SA ports operator outlines view on weight regulations at global event

Transnet Port Terminals (TPT) was invited to present at this year’s International Association of Maritime Economists (IAME) conference, which took place last month in Hamburg, Germany. The... 

Commodity downturn could be coming to an end – SRK Consulting

Despite the pervasive commodity price slump negatively affecting the global mining industry, there are signs that the industry is moving towards improvement, delegates heard at the SRK Consulting... 

Cash costs plunge below $700/oz at AngloGold’s Mponeng mine

Mponeng gold mine, near Carletonville, in the North West, currently the world’s deepest mine, was one of the lowest-cost producers in South Africa during the first half of 2016, states South... 

Integration of digital tech seen as critical to future business success

Companies that incorporate digital technology that is customer-centric are most likely to succeed in the business world of tomorrow, says research-based consultancy Forrester Consulting VP and... 

IoT solution helping to reduce electricity line losses in Nigeria

Global information and communications technology (ICT) services provider Huawei’s advanced metering infrastructure (AMI) solutions have enabled energy conglomerate Sahara Group’s Nigerian Ikeja... 

Cash costs plunge below $700/oz at AngloGold’s Mponeng mine

South African gold mining major Anglo-Gold Ashanti reported in its six- months through June 30 earnings report, released in mid-August, that its South African flagship operation, Mponeng gold mine,... 

Farm equipment supplier launches locally manufactured solutions

Local heavy duty equipment supplier and manufacturer Wuhlf Equipment launched four locally manufactured machines last month, including two front-end loaders, a mulcher and a forklift. Wuhlf...