Chinese, like investors from elsewhere, cautious about SA

While the general foreign investor sentiment among international investors remains optimistic for Africa, the sentiment in respect of South Africa is ‘extremely cautious’, warns law firm Hogan... 

Frequent changes to mining law a cause for concern among investors

The regulatory uncertainty in the mining industry that results from frequent changes to the key mining legislation – the Mineral and Petroleum Resources Development Act (MPRDA) Amendment Bill and... 

South Deep expected to break even in late 2014 or early 2015

Johannesburg- and New York-listed gold mining company Gold Fields has managed to improve the performance of its only remaining South African mine, South Deep, on the West Rand of Johannesburg, CEO... 

South Deep continues to drive value for Gold Fields in constrained environment

Johannesburg- and New York-listed gold mining company Gold Fields has managed to improve the performance of its only remaining South African mine, South Deep, on the West Rand of Johannesburg, CEO... 

Mintek, eWasa set out to beneficiate metal-bearing city waste

State-owned minerals research organisation Mintek and the e-Waste Association of South Africa (eWasa) will later this month start testwork on the Urban Mining Project, subsequent to their signing a... 

Mintek, eWasa set out to beneficiate metal-bearing city waste

State-owned minerals research organisation Mintek and the e-Waste Association of South Africa (eWasa) will soon start testwork on the Urban Mining Project, subsequent to their signing a five-year... 

Despite inroads, conditions in mining continue to be unwelcoming for women, says lawyer

Although South Africa is arguably ahead of other major mining countries in terms of bringing women into the commonly male-dominated mining workforce, the women in the industry face mammoth challenges. 

Private-equity-backed funders coming to the rescue

There is increased financial investor interest in the junior mining space in emerging markets, especially in Africa, from resource-focused private-equity-investment providers, says professional... 

Private-equity-backed funders coming to the rescue of mining juniors as capital markets pull in their horns

There is increased financial investor interest in the junior mining space in emerging markets, especially in Africa, from resource-focused private equity investment providers, says professional... 

SA lost R7.5bn to illegal mining last year, scourge posing health, safety hazards

Illegal mining has been highlighted as a national threat and a priority by the South African government and is estimated to have accounted for over R7.5-billion in lost revenue last year. 

Departments highly in favour of job-creating, energy-mix-diversifying UCG

The Department of Mineral Resources (DMR) and the Department of Energy (DoE) strongly support the development of an underground coal gasification (UCG) industry in South Africa, owing to its... 

Anglo says bioconversion process will improve rate and quality of opencast colliery rehabilitation

Diversified miner Anglo American’s thermal coal business, Anglo Thermal Coal, has developed and patented a bioconversion technology that it believes can significantly reduce the cost and improve... 

Swedish firms with links to SA platinum sector not sticking to rights risks standards

Swedish multinational enterprises, with ties to the platinum industry in South Africa, fail to adhere to international standards on identifying adverse human rights risks and disclosing information... 

Mark Brune

Main Activity of the Company: Gold extraction from hard rock opencast mining and hydraulic tailings mining, as well as recently recommissioned historic underground shafts Date and Place of Birth:... 

Sustainable mining operations framework well received in South Africa, rest of Africa

While there has been interest in the sustainable operations (Susop) process from Australia-based miners, the process has received more interest from Africa and South Africa, owing to the mine... 

Mechanisation okay, but its reliance on diesel equipment poses health risks

In South Africa there is an increasing move towards mechanization, which leads to more extensive use of diesel equipment in underground mines.Diesel equipment can, however, introduce health risks... 

R17.5m Anglo project to improve, accelerate mine rehabilitation

Diversified miner Anglo American’s thermal coal business, Anglo Thermal Coal, has developed and patented a bioconversion technology that it believes could significantly reduce the cost and improve... 

Second vendor-neutral mining, exploration standard approved

The Open Group, a vendor- and technology-neutral consortium approved the Exploration and Mining Business Capability Reference Map last month, after being subjected to a rigorous standards process... 

‘Making a plan’ may help tackle problems but poses safety issues – CoM’s Phakathi

Formalised work practices in the deep-level mining sector can benefit much from the informal working practice of making a plan, or planisa, South Africa Chamber of Mines (CoM) deputy head of safety... 

Two palladium ETFs list on JSE within one week

An increase in demand for precious metal exchange-traded funds (ETFs) from institutional investors has resulted in the listing of two palladium ETFs on the JSE in one week. 

Permanent mining exhibition opened at Sci-Bono

Southern African Institute of Mining and Metallurgy (SAIMM) president Marek Dworzanowski says “the mining industry in South Africa still has a bright future ahead of it”. 

Mintails spends R1.5bn on mine closures, budgets R85m for next 20 years

South Africa-focused tailings extractor Mintails has, to date, invested R1.5-billion in its mine closure operations and expects to spend an additional R85-million on closure costs by the time it... 

Belgium Parly adds its voice to NGOs’ rap of Kimberley Process

A motion for a resolution that assumes the Kimberley Process Certification Scheme (KPCS) – the supervisory body established to ensure conflict diamonds from entering the mainstream rough diamond... 

SA mining sociologist scoops outstanding paper award

South Africa Chamber of Mines (CoM) deputy head of safety and sustainable development Dr Sizwe Phakathi’s PhD research paper, titled Getting on and getting by underground: Gold miners’ informal... 

New mining exhibition in JHB aims to encourage enthusiasm about industry

Southern African Institute of Mining and Metallurgy (SAIMM) president Marek Dworzanowski says “the mining industry in South Africa still has a bright future ahead of it”. 

Anglo’s entrepreneur internship intake increases sixfold

Diversified miner Anglo American’s second Entrepreneur Internship Programme (EIP) will result in 30 entrepreneur interns, comprising 23 established business owners and seven aspiring entrepreneurs,... 

Exploration, mining business reference model receives the thumbs up

The Exploration and Mining Business Reference Model (EM model), aimed at assisting companies in aligning their business and technical services, was embraced by the Global Mining Standards and... 

Tailings extractor invests R1.5bn in long-term mine dump rehabilitation

South Africa-focused tailings extractor Mintails has, to date, invested R1.5-billion into its mine closure operations and expects to spend an additional R85-million on closure costs by the time it... 

Strong global, domestic energy needs guarantee long-term demand for SA coal

Global and domestic coal-fired energy needs will provide a long future for South Africa’s coal sector, but the sector must first overcome several challenges. 

Optimisation plan improves Bakubung mine business case

JSE-listed Wesizwe Platinum’s optimisation plan, approved earlier this month for its flagship Bakubang platinum mine, aims to improve the business case of the mine in the current economic and... 

MQA gives Wits R23m for lecturer salaries, bursaries

The Mining Qualifications Authority (MQA) handed over a cheque of more than R23-million to the University of the Witwatersrand this month. 

‘Unique’ AMD solution a revenue earner rather than a cost

Local chemical engineering technology company Trailblazer Technologies’ patented KNeW process for treating acid mine drainage (AMD) is unique in that it provides a return on investment, as opposed... 

NGO-led initiative to develop critical artisanal skills for eMalahleni mining, engineering sectors

Nonprofit organisation Vukani-Ubuntu Community Development Projects is moving into the second phase of its skills development initiative, The Job Shop Project, which aims to develop scarce and... 

MQA provides R23m financial boost to Wits

The Mining Qualifications Authority (MQA) handed over a cheque of more than R23-million to the University of the Witwatersrand (Wits) on Friday. The money would go towards the salaries of seven... 

Delta EMD plans to discontinue operations, sell assets owing to poor global market

JSE-listed electrolytic manganese dioxide (EMD) manufacturer and supplier to the global alkaline battery industry Delta EMD intends to discontinue its operations and sell its assets, subject to... 

Wesizwe to reach full production more than 2 years ahead of schedule

JSE-listed Wesizwe Platinum’s optimisation plan for the Bakubung platinum mine, approved on Wednesday, aimed to improve the business case of the mine, given the current economic and social... 

As public funding for junior miners collapses, private financiers are stepping into the breach

Private capital funding for junior miners is proving to be the most viable project funding option at this time, as public funding for miners, especially funding for junior miners, has collapsed... 

KZN coal hub initiative to unlock opportunities across the mineral’s value chain

Strategy and management consulting firm Atalanta Consulting director Gill Whittington Banda, the project manager for the KwaZulu-Natal Department of Economic Development and Tourism’s (DEDT’s)... 

Delta EMD plans to discontinue, sell assets owing to poor global EMD market

JOHANNESBURG (miningweekly.com) – JSE-listed electrolytic manganese dioxide (EMD) manufacturer and supplier to the global alkaline battery industry Delta EMD intends to discontinue its operations... 

Consultancy launches fully customised subscription reports service

Mining consultancy Core Consultants launched its fully customised subscription reports service at the Investing in African Mining Indaba, which was held in Cape Town earlier this month.