Mining Weekly

Given the shared geology and geographical proximity between South Africa and Namibia, there is a compelling case for closer collaboration in exploration, infrastructure development, skills development and investment promotion. This was noted by President Cyril Ramaphosa during the fourth session of the South Africa-Namibia Binational Commission (BNC) on July 17, co-chaired by Ramaphosa and Namibian President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah.

Labour union UASA says it has concluded a favourable two-year wage agreement at gold mining company Kopanong gold mine, located between the North West and Free State provinces. The union says the agreement applies to permanent Category 4 to 8 employees, including miners, artisans and officials, and key provisions of the agreement include a salary increase of R1 000 a month in both the first and second year for surface and underground employees, and a 5% increase on the standard rate of pay in the first and second year for miners and artisans.

In a massive nationwide crackdown, the South African Police Service (SAPS) and the South African National Defence Force (SANDF) have intensified joint, multi-disciplinary efforts under Operation PROSPER. The high-density operations targeted illegal mining, organised syndicates, and gang violence, resulting in the arrest of 1 149 suspects and the seizure of 25 illegal firearms along with 238 rounds of ammunition.

Anglo American has chosen a preferred buyer for its stake in diamond producer De Beers, with Botswana weighing whether to exercise its right of first refusal either on its own, with Anglo's chosen bidder, or alongside a third party, a government official said on Friday. Anglo put De Beers, one of the world's leading diamond companies with operations and exploration spanning Botswana, Namibia, Angola, South Africa and Canada, up for sale in May 2024 as part of a broader restructuring prompted by falling diamond prices and the growing popularity of synthetic diamonds.

Uganda, in 2015, worked with the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) to build roads in the eastern DRC, which enabled goods manufactured in Uganda to be exported to this region, benefitting Uganda and the DRC. During the second day of the Manufacturing Indaba, in Johannesburg, on July 15, natural resource development organisation Uganda Chamber of Energy and Minerals CEO Humphrey Asiimwe cited this as an example of the benefits of African countries not focusing solely on their own needs, but also considering how they could support their neighbours and trade partners through the auspices of regional bodies.

Platinum group metals (PGMs) miner Valterra Platinum expects its headline earnings and headline earnings per share (HEPS) for the six months ended June 30 to increase by more than 1 388% year-on-year. In a trading statement, the company reports that headline earnings are expected to be between R18.5-billion and R22.2-billion, compared with the R1.2-billon reported for the six months to June 30, 2025. HEPS are expected to be between R70.47 and R84.56, compared with the HEPS of R4.73 reported for the first half of the 2025 financial year.

Shanghai Platinum Week 2026 has served to highlight that platinum group metals (PGMs) are fundamentally key to the delivery of China’s 15th Five-Year Plan to 2030. China has earmarked close to $300-billion for AI infrastructure expansion and hydrogen production is also being increased in China faster than anywhere else, World Platinum Investment Council (WPIC) CEO Trevor Raymond reported on Thursday, July 16.

Independent, integrated primary platinum-group metals (PGMs) producer Northam Platinum has officially opened Zondereinde No 3 Shaft, the world's deepest raise-bored PGMs personnel and materials shaft at 1 382 m vertical and 4.8 m in diameter. Zondereinde is an established, conventional underground mine on the northern end of the western limb of the Bushveld Complex.

Mining services company Capital has reported another quarterly revenue record of $117.3-million for the three months ended June 30. This contributed to stronger-than-expected revenue of $219-million for the first half of this year - a 37.6% year-on-year increase. Drilling and associated revenue for the quarter was $68-million, up 7.9% on the second quarter of 2025 and up 8.3% on the first quarter of this year.

China's Zijin has started exporting lithium concentrate from its Manono project in Democratic Republic of Congo, five sources familiar with the matter have told Reuters. "Exports started in June as planned," a source with direct knowledge of the matter said. "They are shipping everything to China."

The single-biggest opportunity for modern mining companies to become sustainable and predictive is through technology, explosives manufacturer BME GM Nishen Haripersad told attendees of a webinar hosted by Creamer Media on mine technology on July 15. He noted that technology was empowering the industry across various segments.

TSX-listed TRX Gold Corporation CEO Stephen Mullowney says the company’s results for the quarter ended May 31 demonstrate that the company’s investments in plant optimisation are delivering measurable improvements and further reinforce the strength and scalability of its Buckreef gold project, in Tanzania. Adjusted earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortisation for the quarter, which is the company’s third fiscal quarter, reached $20.7-million.

Chrome is a growing value contributor to the revenue base of Sibanye-Stillwater’s South Africa platinum group metals (PGM) portfolio, delivering margins, resilience and project support. Chrome has also been a stable income generator for Sibanye-Stillwater during periods of low PGMs pricing. (Also watch attached Creamer Media video.)

Diversified resources group Exxaro Resources has, through its wholly-owned renewable-energy business Cennergi, celebrated the commercial operations date milestone of the Lephalale solar project (LSP), one of the largest behind-the-meter renewable-energy projects in South Africa. Located near Exxaro's Grootegeluk coal mine in Lephalale, Limpopo, the solar PV facility supplies renewable energy directly to the Grootegeluk mine through the mine’s main substation.

Electromechanical equipment manufacturer ACTOM has expanded its manufacturing footprint at its Pretoria West industrial campus, in Gauteng, with the launch of the ACTOM Static Energy battery assembly facility and the unveiling of additional manufacturing capacity for its High-Voltage Equipment (HVE) division. Speaking at the launch event on July 15, ACTOM CEO Mervyn Naidoo said this development marked a significant milestone in the company's efforts to strengthen local manufacturing capability and position itself as a supplier of integrated energy infrastructure solutions.

The new elution circuit and smelt house facility at DRDGOLD's Far West Gold Recoveries is performing to specification. “The initial capital estimate was met, and we came in on time and within budget,” DRDGOLD CEO Niël Pretorius reported during a webinar in which DRDGOLD CFO Henriette Hooijer and DRDGOLD COO Jaco Schoeman also participated to provide an update on the progress of Vision 2028, DRDGOLD's five-project programme involving a capital expenditure of R10-billion. (Also watch attached Creamer Media video.)

ASX-listed Predictive Discovery will invest about $10-million, or about C$14.15-million, in TSX-V-listed exploration company Awalé Resources in exchange for about 12.3% of Awalé's shares. “Awalé is an emerging West African gold exploration and development company, with a large and strategic landholding in Côte d'Ivoire, considered to be one of West Africa’s premier mining jurisdictions alongside Guinea," comments Predictive MD and CEO Matthew Wilcox.

Malawi Mining Minister Thoko Tembo has noted the importance of responsible mine development that balances economic opportunity with sound environmental management and long-term benefits for Malawians.  "One of the things that government worries about is legacy mines. When people are done with their mining, they move on and leave a lot of pits everywhere, and these are usually an environmental hazard. So, to see that Sovereign Services has a plan for what they are going to do afterwards is something that is comforting to government," he said during a visit to Sovereign Services' laboratory, as well as the Kasiya trial mining and rehabilitation site.

Toronto- and Johannesburg-listed Eastern Platinum (Eastplats) has appointed David Li CFO and corporate secretary. With more than 20 years of global executive experience in the mining and manufacturing sectors across Canada, Asia and the US, Li is expected to spearhead the company's global financial strategy, capital allocation and corporate development. "We are thrilled to welcome David to our leadership team. His deep expertise in project financing and strategic financial planning will be vital to our efforts to maximise the value of our operations and drive long-term growth," says Eastplats CEO Wanjin Yang. 

Emerging African phosphate producer and developer Kropz's subsidiary Kropz Elandsfontein has secured a R200-million loan from Ubunto-Botho Investments (UBI), the indirect controlling shareholder of African Rainbow Capital (ARC). ARC, in turns, owns 90.07% of Kropz. The loan will be used by Kropz Elandsfontein to fund its cash flow and operational expenditure needs.