First Quantum achieves record copper sales, production in 2018

TSX-listed copper miner First Quantum has announced record production and sales for 2018, with copper output rising by 6% and sales by 3%. Total copper production amounted to 605 853 t, compared... 

Lundin’s strong Q4 boosts full-year production results

TSX-listed Lundin Mining has achieved, or exceeded, its yearly guidance at all of its operations, the diversified miner announced on Tuesday, releasing production results for the three and twelve... 

Policy certainty lifts sentiment, safety slips and a challenging 2019 forecast

Improved sentiment on the back of a newly appointed Minerals Resources Minister, the publication of and the subsequent consensus on Mining Charter 3 after extensive consultations, and mixed global... 

Synthetic diamonds hogged media attention in 2018

Media coverage of the diamond industry in 2018 has been dominated by the progression of laboratory-created diamond production, distribution and pricing dynamics, according to independent diamond... 

Prieska project edging closer to construction

Dual-listed base metals miner Orion Minerals will release an updated Joint Ore Reserves Committee- (Jorc-) compliant resource statement for its Prieska zinc/copper project later this month. The... 

Jon Hericourt

This week Mining Weekly features Jon Hericourt, the VP Operations of the Gold One Group, a 2 400-employee, R7-bilion gold mining company active on South Africa's East Rand. 

Policy certainty lifts sentiment, safety slips and a challenging 2019 forecast

Improved sentiment on the back of a newly appointed Minerals Resources Minister, the publication of and the subsequent consensus on Mining Charter 3 after extensive consultations, and mixed global... 

Synthetic diamonds hogged media attention in 2018

Media coverage of the diamond industry in 2018 has been dominated by the progression of laboratory-created diamond production, distribution and pricing dynamics, independent diamond expert Paul... 

New technology poised to slash metals sector’s reliance on imported metallurgical coal

A patented coking coal production process is being introduced to the South African metals sector by black woman-owned company Vardocap to reduce the sector’s reliance on metallurgical coal imports... 

Gold One launches R100m plant expansion project

ASX- and JSE-listed Gold One International on Friday celebrated the official launch of its R100-million plant expansion project at the Modder East operations in Springs. Gold One Operations VP Jon... 

Springs-based fuel cell SEZ approved

The special economic zone (SEZ) for fuel cell development, proposed for development by the Gauteng Industrial Development Zone initiative and Impala Platinum (Implats), has been approved, Implats... 

HySA strategy bears fruit with multiple projects nearing commercialisation

The Hydrogen South Africa (HySA) strategy has produced multiple inventions and pilot projects that are nearing commercialisation, Department of Science and Technology Hydrogen and Energy chief... 

DST hosts hydrogen fuel cell technology conference

Global stakeholders in the multibillion-dollar fuel cell industry will meet in Pretoria this week for the thirtieth Steering Committee Meeting of the International Partnership for Hydrogen and Fuel... 

Canadian govt introduces measures to boost mining

Measures included in the 2018 Fall Economic Statement (FES) will provide an “important boost for Canadian mining competitiveness”, industry organisation Mining Association of Canada (MAC) noted in... 

Lonmin returns to profitability ahead of Sibanye-Stillwater merger

Platinum group metals (PGMs) miner Lonmin on Thursday announced a return to profit for the 2018 financial year, with revenue up 6.3% year-on-year to $1.3-billion and an operating profit amounting... 

Platinum supply, demand expected to increase in 2019 – WPIC

Global platinum demand will marginally outpace supply in 2019 – increasing by 2.4% and 1.6%, respectively – the World Platinum Investment Council (WPIC) announced in its latest Platinum Quarterly... 

Gold Fields warns striking workers there will be no ‘sweetener’ deals

JSE- and NYSE-listed Gold Fields says the settlement agreement offered to striking workers will expire at 17:00 on Friday, November 30, and warns that no further “sweetener deals” will be... 

Gold One launches R100m plant expansion project

ASX- and JSE-listed Gold One International on Friday celebrated the official launch of its R100-million plant expansion project at the Modder East operations in Springs. Gold One Operations VP Jon... 

New administrations, policies spur optimism for South Africa, Brazil

The withdrawal of the Minerals and Petroleum Resources Development Act Amendment Bill, the finalisation of Mining Charter 3 and the investment drive led by President Cyril Ramaphosa, has given the... 

South African infrastructure better suited to transporting precious metals than base metals

South Africa’s (SA’s) transport infrastructure was built for and remains suited to the movement of precious metals and diamonds, Herbert Smith Freehills (HSF) consultant Biddy Faber told attendees... 

Short-course participants learn about theoretical, practical aspects of diamond exploration

Leading diamond exploration, evaluation and mining geologists Dr Mike de Wit and Dr John Bristow – in collaboration with the University of Pretoria Geology Department and Enterprises University of... 

Artisanal gold mining in Peru causing large-scale deforestation

Small-scale gold mining has destroyed more than 68 000 ha of primary rainforest in the Peruvian Amazon in the past five years, according to a new analysis by scientists at US-based private tertiary... 

Although trending lower, lung disease incidence in SA mines still ‘alarmingly high’

With the reaffirmation of tripartite commitments at the 2018 Mine Occupational Heath and Safety Summit and the publication of the Compensation for Occupational Diseases Act (Coida) Amendment Bill,... 

Instil portable skills to assist economic development post closure – consultancy

Mining companies’ social and labour plans (SLPs) should incorporate initiatives or programmes aimed at reskilling workers and uplifting community members through the development of portable skills,... 

South Africa lacks clear policy on public transport financing

South Africa does not have clearly defined policy on the funding and financing of public transport infrastructure and operations, Gauteng Roads and Transport MEC Ismail Vadi told delegates at the... 

Tony Harwood

This week Mining Weekly features Tony Harwood, the president and CEO of the TSV-listed Montero Mining, which is engaged in the exploration and development of battery metals in Africa 

Although trending lower, lung disease incidence in SA mines still ‘alarmingly high’

With the reaffirmation of tripartite commitments at the 2018 Mine Occupational Heath and Safety Summit and the publication of the Compensation for Occupational Diseases Act (Coida) Amendment Bill,... 

R1bn Nigel train manufacturing facility and training centre opens

President Cyril Ramaphosa on Thursday officially opened the R1-billion, 78 ha Gibela train manufacturing facility at Dunnottar Park, in Nigel, east of Johannesburg. Members of the Southern African... 

Orion equipping communities to benefit from and contribute to its Prieska project

ASX and JSE listed base metals developer, Orion Minerals, has put a big focus on equipping and enabling the communities surrounding its Prieska Zinc-Copper Project, Northern Cape, to benefit from,... 

SRK shares mineral valuation insights with China

A Chinese mining sector delegation visiting South Africa last week gained “valuable insights” from specialist engineers and scientists from SRK Consulting South Africa, specifically pertaining to... 

Copper production, use to increase this year and in 2019 – ICSG

During the International Copper Study Group (ICSG) meeting in Lisbon, Portugal last month, the ICSG reported its expectation that, after a decline of 1.5% in 2017, global mine production, after... 

Two-month skills development course concluded

Mining Equipment Manufacturers of South Africa (MEMSA) concluded its first skills development activity last week – a two-month skills course on implementing globally competitive manufacturing... 

Small thermal plants hold promise for regions without grid electricity

Small-scale power generation plants driven by hydrocarbon sources and biomass are still likely to play a valuable part in rolling out electricity in regions of Africa unserved by grid power and... 

Reduced compressed-air use saves Lonmin R15m each year

Platinum miner Lonmin partnered with Pretoria-based engineering company ETA Operations to benchmark the consumption of compressed air at its Marikana operations in North-West. This was done with... 

Gold Fields’ Holland stresses importance of engaging near-mine communities

If mining companies are going to be successful and sustainable they have to work closely with governments, and especially communities, Gold Fields CEO Nick Holland told African Mining Network... 

Mixed picture emerges of state of SA’s road bridges following deadly Genoa collapse

In light of the highly publicised Genoa bridge collapse, in Italy, as well as the abrupt closure of Johannesburg’s M2 east highway, questions surrounding the structural integrity of South African... 

It’s time to invest in dollar denominated gold – SA Bullion

Despite gold performing poorly in the third quarter, SA Bullion MD and analyst Hilton Davies believes that it is prudent to invest in dollar denominated gold now, because, “we are nearing the end... 

Some aspects of new Mining Charter ‘still need to be explained’

The gazetting of South African Mining Charter 3, while welcomed as a step forward in creating certainty in the industry, has left gaps regarding its interpretation and its affects on mining... 

Sipa starts ‘extensive’ Uganda nickel exploration programme

Australia-based exploration company Sipa Resources on Tuesday announced that an “extensive” nickel exploration programme was under way at the Kitgum Pader joint venture (JV) project, in Uganda. The... 

Anglo’s portfolio performs well in Q3

Diversified miner Anglo American’s focus on driving efficiency and productivity across the business resulted in another strong quarter, with volumes for the third quarter 1% higher year-on-year,...