Category: Uncategorized

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

Kagem Mining has signed a collective agreement with unions under which unionised employees will receive a 10% increase in basic salary for 2020 and a further 10% increase for 2021.  The company is owned 75% by London-based Gemfields in partnership with the Industrial Development Corporation (IDC), which holds 25% on behalf of the Zambian Government. Kagem General Manager Prahalad Kumar Singh shakes hands with NUMAW National Treasurer Saul Simujika at the signing if the mine’s collective agreement. The collective agreement followed successful negotiations between management and representatives of the National… Read More Here

The price of the precious metal palladium has soared on the global commodities markets. It has jumped by more than 25% in the last two weeks alone, and almost doubled in value over the last year. At about $2,500 (£1,922) an ounce of palladium is more expensive than gold, and the pressures forcing its price up are unlikely to ease anytime soon. But what is palladium, what is it used for, and why is its price rising? What is palladium? It is a shiny white metal in the same group… Read More Here

SINGAPORE – Gold surged to the highest level in more than six years as fast-rising tensions in the Middle East stoked demand for haven assets, with Goldman Sachs Group saying that bullion offered a more effective hedge than oil to the crisis. Palladium extended gains to an all-time high. Bullion neared $1 600/oz as Tehran said it would no longer abide by any limits on its enrichment of uranium following the killing of General Qassem Soleimani. In addition, President Donald Trump said he was prepared to strike Iran “in a disproportionate manner” if it… Read More Here