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Only weeks after the discharge of its last Ebola patient, the DRC has been hit by the coronavirus pandemic. Barbro Ciakudia examines the special problems this war-torn country faces in dealing with the virus and calls for solidarity from the diaspora. On 23 March 2020, the South African President, H.E. Cyril Ramaphosa, announced a three week lockdown in response to COVID-19. The President also confirmed that the military will be deployed in order to support the police in enforcing the nationwide lockdown. On the day of the speech, South Africa’s Department of… Read More Here

Anglo American PLC announced on Friday that the three-week blockade by the South African government is expected to reduce iron ore production and export of thermal coal in response to the spread of the corona virus. The South Africa-based multinational mining company estimates iron ore production from its Kumba mine in 2020 will be 2 to 3 million tons, while thermal coal exports are expected to decrease by 1.5 million tons to 2 million tons for the year. Anglo American has said in recent days that similar restrictions in the… Read More Here

Shanghai Futures Exchange copper inventories rose another 10% in the past week to their highest in almost four years amid signs China’s production is holding up even as demand struggles to recover from the impact of the coronavirus. Chinese steel stocks, meanwhile, remain at record highs, although the pace of the build has slowed. Inventories of copper climbed by 34,959 tonnes from the previous week to 380,065 tonnes, the exchange said on Friday. That’s the most since March 25, 2016. MORE THAN 58% OF PROPERTY AND INFRASTRUCTURE CONSTRUCTION PROJECTS IN… Read More Here

  The impact of the energy transition on the mining industry has been profound. It is one of the most energy-intensive industries in the world, accounting for an estimated 6.2% of the total global energy consumption. It has also historically been a disproportionately large contributor to global warming, through the intensive use of fossil fuels to power operations. But now there is a spotlight on the sector, with increased pressure to move towards renewable energy. While developments have been made, there remains increased pressure to reduce emissions. McKinsey reported that… Read More Here

Zimbabwe’s Associated Mine Workers Union has entered into an agreement with the mine chamber that will result in membership salaries almost tripling in the first quarter of 2020. “We managed to finalize an agreement for the mining industry from January to March 2020,” said AMWUZ President Tinago Ruzive in a statement. “The increase is based on the dollar value principle for those miners who may pay above the minimum amount for various reasons or merits.” The increase in the Southern African country, which is struggling with triple-digit annual inflation and… Read More Here

  Anglo-American ENGIE, and Williams Advanced Engineering are working together to create the world’s largest electric vehicle: a hydrogen-powered mining truck. Anglo American Anglo American claims the vehicle will be capable of performing just as well, if not better, than its diesel-powered counterparts. The truck will begin testing in a platinum group metals mine in Mogalakwena, South Africa before being used in other locations. Anglo American is in the process of modifying its fleet of mining trucks to make them hydrogen-powered. ENGIE will be supplying the hydrogen technology and Williams… Read More Here

At least 11 illegal miners in northern part of Mozambique’s Montepuez ruby mine have died following a series of tunnel collapses over three days. The mine is 75% owned by the United Kingdom based natural resources firm Gemfields. According to Gemfields, approximately 800 artisanal miners entered Montepuez Ruby Mining (MRM)’s Maninge Nice 3 mining pit. Despite repeated warnings from MRM staffs, these illegal miners were seeking ruby-bearing gems and began undercutting the outer edge of the mining pit. As such this led to several ground collapse incidents, killing 11 artisanal… Read More Here

Miner AngloGold Ashanti has reached an agreement to sell its remaining South African producing assets and related liabilities to South Africa’s Harmony Gold Mining Company, for around $300 million in cash, subject to subsequent performance, AngloGold Ashanti said. The sale will help streamline AngloGold Ashanti’s portfolio to enhance its operating and financial metrics, the company said in a statement. The transaction is subject to approval by the South African competition authorities and the country’s minister of mineral resources and energy and could be completed around June 30, 2020. Harmony said… Read More Here

The catastrophic failure of a tailings storage facility at Vale’s Corrego do Feijão mine in Brumadinho, Brazil, on 25 January 2019 is a human and environmental tragedy. When the dam collapsed, shortly after noon, 11.7 million cubic meters of mining waste surged through the mine site towards the local town and countryside below, resulting in over five miles of destruction. As of 9 September 2019, 248 people are confirmed dead, and 22 are missing. This is a stark reminder that, while the mining and metals industry has come a long… Read More Here

  The controversial issue of Tailings Storage Facilities (TSF) construction and management following a spate of disasters over the last 24 months was unpacked during a breakfast discussion  by leading mining services companies Fraser Alexander, Knight Piesold and Webber Wentzel on the sidelines of the annual Investing in Africa Mining Indaba event in Cape Town. Hosted by leading, African-focused mining trade journal Mining Review Africa, the discussion focused on the importance of integrated TSF management and attracting investment while containing risk. A TMF/TSF is a storage area for post-processed ore… Read More Here