China's Zijin Mining and Russian-owned U Gold have sent valid bids for a strategic partnership in RTB Bor, Serbia's only copper mine and smelter, Mining and Energy Minister Aleksandar Antic said on Tuesday. In July, Belgrade invited bids for a partner to invest at least $350-million in debt-laden RTB Bor but did not say how big a stake it would offer in return.
Public Enterprises Minister Pravin Gordhan has suggested that Parliament call in some of the big and small coal suppliers to account for their export of coal, amid increasing concerns about the shortage of coal in the country. Gordhan was speaking after several Members of Parliament suggested that the priority is to use coal in South Africa rather than export coal. “Is that a proposition to look at or when it suits you, you make money outside of the country and then you dump your customary customer... Читать дальше...
The mining industry is showing strong interest in the new blast-free mobile tunnel boring machine that South African company Master Drilling will launch in Italy next month. This interest is exemplified by 32 mining executives from mining jurisdictions across the world making themselves available for two days to witness the borer being put through its paces. (Also watch attached Creamer Media video).
JSE- and NYSE-listed Gold Fields has appointed Phuti Mahanyele as an independent nonexecutive director, effective September 1. Gold Fields chairperson Cheryl Carolus said Mahanyele will offer the company strong financial, infrastructure development and commercial skills, as she has extensive experience in these areas.
Botswana Stock Exchange-listed Minergy aims to commission its Masama coal mine, in Botswana, in January, and to start producing coal within a month thereafter. This follows the company being granted a mining licence by the Ministry of Mineral Resources, Green Technology and Energy Security.
Diamond miner De Beers and the United Nations Entity for Gender Equality and the Empowerment of Women (UN Women) in South Africa have launched a capacity-building programme, which aims to support 500 women micro-entrepreneurs in the Blouberg and Musina communities, near De Beers’ Venetia diamond mine, in Limpopo. The key objective of the programme is to equip women micro-entrepreneurs with business management and life skills to build their confidence and capacity to operate and grow successful small businesses.
Mineral Resources Minister Gwede Mantashe will lead a South African government delegation to the yearly Africa Down Under exhibition, which is being held in Perth, Australia, from August 29 to 31. Mantashe will also address delegates at the event and host the South African Mining Investment Seminar under the theme ‘Ensuring a competitive, sustainable and transformed South African mining’.
Potash developer Kore Potash has received environmental- and social-impact assessment (Esia) approval for its Dougou mining licence in the Republic of Congo (RoC). Approval of the assessment is a prerequisite to start construction of a mining project in the RoC.
TSX-V-listed Namibia Critical Metals has identified multiple prospective targets at its Kunene cobalt/copper project, in Namibia, following the completion of an airborne electromagnetic survey covering 4 200 line kilometers. The survey data shows clear conductive trends associated with favourable sedimentary horizons and structures known to be associated with cobalt/copper mineralisation.
ASX- and TSX-listed miner Orocobre is confident that market fundamentals for lithium remains strong, despite short-term price volatility, and is gearing up to put money into a mine expansion in Argentina, as well as into a prime lithium hydroxide plant in Japan. The miner is fully funded to develop the $285-million Stage 2 expansion at its Olaroz operation, which will add an additional 25 000 t/y of lithium carbonate, increasing production capacity to 42 500 t/y.
The South Africa Photovoltaic Industry Association (SAPVIA) has added its voice to concerns being expressed over the three-year gap outlined in the draft Integrated Resource Plan (IRP 2018) during which no allocations have been made for new renewable-energy capacity additions. In a statement, which broadly welcomes the draft document released for public comment by Energy Minister Jeff Radebe on August 27, SAPVIA cautioned that the lag period from 2022 to 2025 could undermine the consistent growth... Читать дальше...
Innovative drilling technologies company Master Drilling, which will next month launch a new blast-free mobile tunnel boring machine that is expected to have a far-reaching beneficial impact on mining, on Tuesday reported satisfactory results for the six months ended June 30. The Johannesburg Securities Exchange-listed company, which reported 11.3% higher revenue to $67.4-million and 6% higher operating profit to $12.9-million, is considering a year-end dividend.
Russia has a plan to support world No.2 aluminium producer Rusal against US sanctions put in place in April, including by purchasing the metal for state stocks, Industry Minister Denis Manturov told reporters on Tuesday. The US Treasury Department placed Russian businessman Oleg Deripaska and Rusal, which he controls, on a blacklist that month, freezing the bulk of the company's exports, paralysing its supply chain and scaring off many customers.
Chile's State-owned Codelco, the world's largest copper producer, said on Monday it offered a new contract proposal to striking workers in hopes of ending a small strike at its Andina mine. The 83 unionised workers of the Plantas de Andina union went on strike a week ago after talks with the company over salaries and bonuses in a new contract broke down.
The Chilean copper miner Sierra Gorda, which is controlled by Poland's KGHM, has received environmental approval for a $2-billion expansion and upgrade plan, the country's environmental authority told Reuters on Monday. The upgrades are expected to extend Sierra Gorda's lifespan by 21 years and include an increase to the capacity of the facility's mill from 190 000 t/d to 230 000 t/d, although overall production of copper cathodes will remain at 55 000 t.
