South Africa’s small-end diamond producers are battling to survive, Sadpo reports

South Africa’s small-end diamond producers are battling to survive in a diamond situation in South Africa which is under severe pressure, South African Diamond Producers Organisation (Sadpo)... 

Big win for DRDGOLD is 60 MW solar farm as it repositions for future

The big win for surface gold recovery company DRDGOLD is the 60 MW solar farm built at Ergo in the 12 months to June 30. “I call it a R3-billion prepaid electricity facility that will take care of... 

Mining companies need mechanisms to solve conflicts, Marikana memorial hears

Mining companies need mechanisms to solve conflicts by reaching consensus with stakeholders on dealing with grievances and disputes, former Minerals Council South Africa VP and current Transnet... 

Menar envisages reviving Metalloys smelter, selling beneficiated manganese to world

Menar, which recently signed a deal to acquire Samancor’s Metalloys, envisages reviving the ferromanganese smelting complex and exporting  beneficiated manganese to the world. “It’s an exciting... 

Barrick Gold on way to becoming major copper producer

In less than six years, at the end of the decade, 2030, Barrick will have grown its gold output by 30% and will be a copper miner up there with some of the biggest. It goes to the upper 400 000... 

Major shift to green energy under way by mining houses across Africa – Nedbank CIB

Virtually every mining house in South Africa is in the process of procuring green electrons, and similar advances are taking place across the African continent, from the Democratic Republic of... 

On-The-Air (16/08/2024)

Martin Creamer talks about Electra Mining Africa 2024, clean green energy and the economy.  

Initial output from Sylvania Platinum’s new tailings project on track for first half of 2025

First production from the developing Thaba Joint Venture (JV) chrome and platinum group metals (PGMs) recovery project on the northern part of the western limb of South Africa’s well-endowed... 

Merafe’s ferrochrome production 17% down

Ferrochrome production attributable to the Johannesburg Stock Exchange-listed Merafe Resources from the Glencore Merafe Chrome Venture for the six months to June 30 was a 17%-lower 154 000 t... 

Pan African’s below-$900/oz tailings advance beating budget, conquering clock

The latest gold tailings retreatment project of Pan African Resources is ahead of schedule and below budget. The Mogale Tailings Retreatment (MTR) Project, located to the west of Johannesburg, near... 

Mining licence approval must be speeded up in a one-stop regulatory environment

Mines have a propensity to create widespread economic activity well beyond the mine gates, which is why government must not be allowed to take so excessively long to approve mine licensing. South... 

Exxaro expecting interest rates to begin to lower during the remainder of this year

Johannesburg-listed coal and energy company Exxaro is expecting the Federal Reserve, the European Central Bank, the Bank of England and the South African Reserve Bank, among others, to start... 

Exxaro declares interim dividend on higher revenue, lower profit

Mining and renewable energy company Exxaro Resources has declared an interim dividend in reporting its interim results for the six months to June 30. Half-year revenue of the Johannesburg Stock... 

Be prepared for new economic future as biggest Electra Mining Africa show approaches

South Africa’s preparation for a brand new economic future is coinciding with the biggest ever Electra Mining Africa show, which takes place in Johannesburg, from September 2-6. Five interconnected... 

Africa delivers ‘usual reliable performance’ with steady output, lower costs – Barrick

The Africa region delivered its “usual reliable performance” with steady production and well contained costs, Barrick CEO Dr Mark Bristow reported this week when it maintained its quarterly... 

Merafe reports R720m half-year profit on higher chrome ore prices, weaker currency

Johannesburg Stock Exchange-listed Merafe has reported a profit of R720-million for the six months ended June 30, on higher realised chrome ore prices and a weaker rand:dollar exchange rate. But... 

On-The-Air (09/08/2024)

Martin Creamer talking on copper, gold and ferrochrome. 

Minerals Council South Africa supports beneficiation where the economics make sense

Minerals Council South Africa, whose members account for 90% of this country's annual mineral production by value, supports beneficiation where the economics make sense. “Therefore, we welcome the... 

Seriti’s wind move may be further energy transitioned by solar, Coal & Energy Day hears

Black-owned coal mining company Seriti Resources' advance into wind energy through Seriti Green may be further advanced by an entry into solar power, Tuesday’s Coal & Energy Transition Day 2024 was... 

Public-private partnership providing powerful performance potential – Kumba Iron Ore

The commitment of South Africa’s new multi-party government to continued reform of this country’s iron-ore logistics was hailed on Tuesday by Kumba Iron Ore. During the presentation of half-year... 

South Africa Inc must keep all eyes firmly on the jobs prize

Economic improvement needs to be brought about to ensure that existing jobs are preserved and new jobs are enabled. With times as challenging as they are, the unemployment situation should not be... 

Global energy winners will be those transitioning quickly and effectively

When it comes to the energy transition, the countries that implement the strongest energy portfolios and power grids the fastest and most effectively are going to be the winning countries. That is... 

Astron’s a terrific asset, ferrochrome’s helping world to decarbonise, says Glencore

Astron Energy, which has successfully rebranded one of South Africa’s transport fuel forecourt networks, is described by Glencore CEO Gary Nagle as being a terrific asset. With the restart to full... 

Argentina is the next frontier for copper growth, says Glencore

Argentina is the next frontier for copper growth, “no question”, Glencore CEO Gary Nagle highlighted on Wednesday when the London- and Johannesburg-listed diversified mining and marketing company... 

Glencore highlights strategic achievements, earnings 33% down

iversified mining and marketing company Glencore on Wednesday highlighted what it described as “strong strategic achievements for the group over the year to date”. Against the backdrop of lower... 

Glencore to continue to oversee responsible decline of thermal coal operations

Diversified mining and marketing company Glencore is to continue to oversee the responsible decline of its thermal coal operations over time, the board has decided. While the decision has been... 

AngloGold interim dividend up 450%, half-year free cash flow lifts to $206m

Gold mining company AngloGold Ashanti on Tuesday reported a soaring interim dividend improvement on strong free cash flow uplifted by the elevated gold price, operational improvement and cost... 

Re-opened Rietberg copper mine on way to becoming Copper 360’s cash cow

The revived Rietberg copper mine is on its way to becoming the cash cow of Copper 360, the Johannesburg Stock Exchange AltX company, which last week produced the first copper ore in the O’Kiep... 

Mined gold hits second-quarter production record, World Gold Council reports

Global mine production of 929 t of gold in the three months to the end of June was a record for a second quarter, a period of firm gold demand and record gold prices, the World Gold Council... 

On-The-Air (02/08/2024)

Martin Creamer discusses gold, platinum metals, chrome ore and ferrochrome. 

Petra focusing on refinancing $250-million loan notes

Having reset its cost base, delivering new life-of-mine (LoM) plans with a smooth capital profile, the focus of Petra Diamonds is very much on refinancing its $250-million loan notes. “We plan to... 

Minerals Council VP spells out platinum production decline expectation to Shanghai

Under current market conditions, many platinum mines will close prematurely due to a lack of financial resources – and even without financial constraint, closure of depleting mines will result in... 

Mining’s dormant gold analyser seen as potential gold optimiser with help of today’s tech

For 30 years, 800 people at the now defunct Chamber of Mines Research Organisation (COMRO) devoted intense ongoing effort to research and development to advance mining in general and gold mining in... 

Public-private togetherness already showing signs of boosting logistics

The new multi-party government is in many ways continuing to progress advances that were already in motion before the various South African political parties decided to work in unison. Reports on... 

Orion’s capital-raising success kindling hopes of greater small-end investment in mining

The capital-raising success that emerging copper and zinc mining company Orion Minerals achieved is kindling high hopes that smaller South African shareholders will be facilitated to play a greater... 

Manganese prices up 56%, sales up 35%, Jupiter reports

The three months to the end of June saw spot manganese ore prices rise 56%, driven by the temporary closure of the cyclone damaged Gemco manganese mine in Australia, Jupiter Mines reported on... 

Initial output from Sylvania Platinum’s new tailings project on track for first half of 2025

First production from the developing Thaba Joint Venture (JV) chrome and platinum group metals (PGMs) recovery project on the northern part of the western limb of South Africa’s well-endowed... 

Merafe’s ferrochrome output 17% down on smelter hold-back in unfavourable market

Ferrochrome production attributable to the Johannesburg Stock Exchange-listed Merafe Resources from the Glencore Merafe Chrome Venture for the six months to June 30 was a 17%-lower 154 000 t... 

Glencore expects to be able to announce coal, carbon steel demerger decision next week

Diversified mining and marketing company Glencore expects to be able to announce the decision of the board regarding the potential demerger of its coal and carbon steel materials business next... 

Pan African’s below-$900/oz tailings advance beating budget, conquering clock

The latest gold tailings retreatment project of Pan African Resources is ahead of schedule and below budget. The Mogale Tailings Retreatment (MTR) Project, located to the west of Johannesburg, near...