Brexit to impact on UK mining sector, R&D to bear the brunt

Following a referendum held in June 2016, in which a small majority of British voters declared that they were in favour of leaving the European Union (EU), the UK government has indicated that it... 

Anglo American increases Q4 output in most segments, but copper down year-on-year

Diversified miner Anglo American achieved higher output for most of its products in the fourth quarter ended December 31, but copper production fell by 19% year-on-year. The lower copper... 

Lonmin maintaining FY17 guidance despite weaker Generation 2 shafts production

Platinum producer Lonmin is disappointed by first-quarter production figures at its Generation 2 shafts; however, with the initiative of deploying additional stoping and vamping crews and the... 

Merafe improves production, cuts debt levels

JSE-listed Merafe Resources’ attributable ferrochrome production from the Glencore Merafe Chrome Venture for the year ended December 31, increased by 4% to 107 t, compared with the 101 t produced... 

Mining Indaba remains pivotal to Africa

The mineral resources sector remains “critically important” to the African continent, which is why the Investing in African Mining Indaba has consistently been regarded as an event of “paramount... 

Junior mining sector must be supported; coal to remain key to S Africa's energy needs – DMR

Junior mining companies cannot perpetually remain as junior miners, they must be supported by the majors and other industry stakeholders to assist them in their growth journey, says Department of... 

Bank upbeat about mining sector in 2017, predicts steady commodity price uptick

Given that the global economy is expected to grow by 3.4% this year and 3.5% in 2018, the health of global macroeconomics is good, which bodes well for a resurgence in the global mining industry... 

Mining Indaba remains pivotal to Africa

The mineral resources sector remains “critically important” to the African continent, which is why the Investing in African Mining Indaba has consistently been regarded as an event of “paramount... 

Input costs weigh heavily on Zambia’s mines – ZCM

Electricity and labour, which together account for up to 50% of total operating costs, are the most important elements in the cost structure of the average Zambian copper mine, states the Zambia... 

UK scientists develop ‘power generating’ diamond

New technology has been developed that uses nuclear waste to generate electricity in a nuclear-powered battery. A team of physicists and chemists from the University of Bristol have grown a... 

Nigeria gets pat on the back for promoting accountable management of natural resources

Nigeria’s efforts to improve natural resource governance through the Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (EITI) Standard were recognised earlier this month by the international EITI... 

Propellant-based rock breaking system mooted as alternative to traditional explosives

It is generally acknowledged that South Africa’s narrow-reef mining sector is in a precarious state as its viability is challenged by declining global commodity prices, labour instability,... 

Carbon tax would have costly implications for mines – Accenture

In South Africa, policymakers and businesses have discussed a carbon tax for several years, starting with the country’s signing of the Copenhagen Agreement in 2009. However, progress has been slow... 

Mining Indaba remains pivotal to Africa

The mineral resources sector remains “critically important” to the African continent, which is why the Investing in African Mining Indaba has consistently been regarded as an event of “paramount... 

Merafe increases FY output, reduces debt

JSE-listed Merafe Resources’ attributable ferrochrome production from the Glencore Merafe Chrome Venture for the year ended December 31, increased by 4% to 107 t, compared with the 101 t produced... 

Despite disappointing Q1 production figures, Lonmin maintains FY17 guidance

Platinum producer Lonmin is disappointed by first-quarter production figures at its Generation 2 shafts; however, with the initiative of deploying additional stoping and vamping crews and the... 

Anglo American Q4 output broadly higher but copper output down 19%

Diversified miner Anglo American achieved higher output for most of its products in the fourth quarter ended December 31, but copper production fell by 19% year-on-year. The lower copper... 

Tough operating climate brings greater transparency emphasis for miners

The mining industry has continued to face significant uncertainty, volatility and pressure to contain costs over the past three years. This unpredictable business environment has given rise to a... 

South Africa’s mining sector at a crossroads, collaborative effort required

The global mining industry has been struggling since the 2008 international financial crisis set off a chain of events resulting in contracted growth in important markets, such as China, and... 

South Africa’s mining sector at a crossroads, collaborative effort required

The global mining industry has been struggling since the 2008 international financial crisis set off a chain of events resulting in contracted growth in important markets, such as China, and... 

Adoption of new technologies can benefit mines, local communities

A raft of highly-matured existing technologies are available to miners in the quest to transform their operations, enhance efficiency, improve productivity, elevate safety levels, and revitalise a... 

Metso launches ‘comprehensive’ in-the-pit solutions

Mines are continuously being challenged to rethink how to shape their operations to be more sustainable and profitable. It is for these reasons that diversified engineering group Metso has launched... 

Proposed amendments to residue stockpiles and deposits regulations welcomed

Environmental Affairs Minister Edna Molewa in November published the proposed amendments to the Regulations Regarding the Planning and Management of Residue Stockpiles and Residue Deposits for... 

Company looks back on its first decade, upbeat about future fortunes

South African geospatial solution and aerial survey company Southern Mapping celebrated its tenth anniversary last month, reflecting on its many achievements while outlining its aims for the... 

Dacian secures A$150m for WA gold project

Gold developer Dacian Gold has completed and signed a syndicated facility agreement (SFA) to fund the development of its Mt Morgans gold project, in Western Australia.   Financial institutions... 

Corunna Downs DFS indicates large iron-ore deposit

Iron-ore miner Atlas Iron’s Corunna Downs project, in Western Australia, has the potential to deliver 4-million tons a year of lump and fines direct-shipping iron-ore (DSO) over an initial mine... 

Kibo secures $2.9m forward payment facility for Mbeya project

Tanzania-focused mineral exploration and development company Kibo Mining has entered into a binding term sheet with UK-based private equity provider Sanderson Capital Partners for a new... 

Bacanora in advanced discussions with Asian offtake partner

Aim- and TSX-V-listed lithium and borates company Bacanora Minerals is currently in advanced discussions with a “significant Asian offtake partner” for the supply of battery-grade lithium carbonate... 

Kefi Minerals has a ‘very good’ year, upbeat about 2017 project advancement

Gold exploration and development company Kefi Minerals has had a “very good” 12 months in which it has made solid progress towards becoming a gold production company, said Kefi executive... 

Capricorn Metals announces discovery of new, high-grade structure

Australian junior gold miner Capricorn Metals has confirmed the presence of a new, high-grade mineralised structure in the immediate footwall of the Bibra gold deposit at its 100%-owned Karlawinda... 

Glencore outlines $1.1b pricing of tender offers

Diversified mining and marketing company Glencore has priced the offers to purchase up to the maximum tender amount of outstanding notes of $1.1-billion. The total offer consideration relates to... 

Electronic incident reporting, management system touted as best practice

For many years line managers and safety staff in the South African mining industry have tried to understand the relationship between incidents, minor injuries, lost-time injuries, serious injuries... 

Integration of IoT platforms in mining seen as way to enhance productivity

The adoption and implementation of exponential technologies will increase productivity and ensure greater efficiencies throughout the mining sector globally, asserts advisory firm Deloitte digital... 

Report says Zambia needs more friendly tax regime to attract mining investors

Zambia needs a more competitive mining tax regime to entice new and existing investors to invest billions of dollars into the mining industry and boost flagging production, says Zambia Chamber of... 

Systems thinking game aims to bring change to mining industry

Mining industry stakeholders knows that the industry must become more productive and efficient if it is to remain competitive and achieve the returns on investment required by shareholders. Local... 

Report says Zambia needs more friendly tax regime to attract mining investors

Zambia needs a more competitive mining tax regime to entice new and existing investors to invest billions of dollars in the mining industry and boost flagging production, says Zambia Chamber of... 

Petmin sees 2% sales increase, 3% production decline in Q3

Diversified miner Petmin on Friday reported that its production of metallurgical anthracite for the third quarter of the year decreased by 3% year-on-year to 342 536 t, from 352 179 t during the... 

Slide in BEE ownership to 30% won’t affect Eskom supply deals, says Exxaro

Diversified miner Exxaro Resources has assured investors that despite its black ownership falling below the 51% required by State-owned power utility Eskom for all its supply contracts, this will... 

Dean Taylor

This week we feature Dean Taylor, the CEO of Diamcor, a company which is currently advancing the Krone-Endora daimond-mining project in South Africa's Limpopo province 

Sibanye testing alternative to explosives-based rock breaking

The South African mining industry requires a paradigm shift in its fundamental approach to mining processes to ensure that it can move away from the use of explosives, says diversified miner...