Category: Uncategorized

Tasked with talking about the role of mining in society as part of the opening plenary at this year’s virtual CIM convention, Anglo American(LSE: AAL) chief executive Mark Cutifani didn’t mince words. With a world population of 7.6 billion that’s growing toward 9 billion, “the simple fact is that the world cannot survive without mining and our contribution to literally every aspect of modern life,” Cutifani said. Cutifani noted that other critical sectors, including energy, food production, construction, transportation, renewables infrastructure and communications all rely on mining. “In fact, 45%… Read More Here

Another South African record for the largest electronic detonator blast has been broken by the blasting and explosives company BME. The blast was conducted by BME, an Omnia Group company, at the end of 2020 at a manganese mine in South Africa’s Northern Cape province. Using its AXXIS™ electronic initiation system, BME was able to plan and execute a blast of 4,647 detonators. Just a few months earlier, the company had broken a previous record at the same mine by initiating 3,780 detonators in a single blast. “The latest achievement… Read More Here

Bullion major Barrick Gold president and CEO Mark Bristow on Thursday described the late President of Tanzania, John Magufuli, as a “visionary statesmen who saw the value of a thriving mining sector”. Magufuli died on Wednesday at the age of 61 from a heart condition. In a statement mourning the loss, Bristow said Magufuli partnered with Barrick to create Twiga Minerals – a joint venture that would “stand as a monument to the late President’s foresight”. Twiga manages Barrick’s mines in Tanzania and shares the economic benefits they generate equally between the company and its stakeholders in that… Read More Here

Rising commodity prices are leading bank analysts and policy makers to question whether resurgent commodity demand and insufficient supply will create a new commodity supercycle. Price fluctuations, of course, are as old as the business itself. A commodity supercycle is different, however. In the usual business cycle, demand drives up prices and supply increases in an attempt to capture this windfall, driving prices down again. In a supercycle, the supply is so insufficient for the growth of demand that prices rise for years or even a decade or more. Before looking at the… Read More Here

As from 1 April this year, all applications for a mining licence in Namibia must have 15% local owners, the Ministry of Mines and Energy announced last week. The move to localise ownership of Namibian mining licences follows the completion last year of a review of the Mining Act which covers prospecting and mining activities. The ministry announced in a press release that all “applications by Namibian nationals for the transfer, cessation, assignment of mineral licences to foreign companies or persons may be granted provided 15% interest in the company… Read More Here

If completely exploited, Kenya’s mining sector could contribute up to 12% of the country’s GDP. This is according to a study released this week by the Mineral Rights Board on how to draw mining investment. Significant obstacles found in the report have caused local and foreign investors to steer clear of the market. “The sector is historically funded by development partners and private investors with the government playing a minimal role, hence reduced budgetary allocation and funding,” it said. The report comes a week after Mining Cabinet Secretary John Munyes… Read More Here

Teck Resources Limited is one of the global miners innovating now to enable it to stay on top of its #future mining goals, exemplified by its RACE21™ program. In a December 2020 presentation entitled The Art of Intelligence in #Mining, part of the The University of British Columbia Centre for #Artificial Intelligence Decision-making and Action (#CAIDA) Emerging Technologies: BC’s AI Showcase conference, Teck’s Kalev Ruberg gave some insights into what that future might look like for Teck’s ops. He showed a future mine simulation that included a mix of machines & technologies that are already available along with some that are in… Read More Here

Weir Minerals Africa is focused on partnering with customers to drive efficiencies using its proven technology-driven solutions.   According to Grant Ramsden, Regional MD of Weir Minerals Africa and Middle East, the company’s successful evolution over a century and a half continues with a strong sustainability vision for the modern mining, minerals processing and the sand and aggregate industries. “As our mining sector customers look to reduce their carbon footprint, we are engineering solutions for a future that prioritises energy efficiency and raises productivity,” says Ramsden, who stepped into his… Read More Here

Omnia Group company BME says South Africa needs to do more to benefit from the looming demand peak in ‘green minerals. Ralf Hennecke, General Manager, Technology and Marketing at Omnia Group company BME said mines have been very successful in containing COVID-19 infections, allowing most operations to return to almost normal production levels, vital to preserving operations and jobs, and to make the most of improved metal prices. “With the global drive to decarbonisation, there is a great future for commodities like the platinum group metals, copper, cobalt and lithium,”… Read More Here

As of February 15, confirmed cases of Covid-19 from 55 African countries reached 3,753,174. Reported deaths in Africa reached  98,475  and  3,290,153  people have recovered. South Africa has the most reported cases –  1,491,807 – and  47,899  people died. Other most-affected countries are Morocco ( 478,474 ), Tunisia ( 223,244 ), Egypt ( 173,813 ), Ethiopia ( 147,092 ), and Nigeria ( 146,184 ). The numbers are compiled by the Center for Systems Science and Engineering (CSSE) at Johns Hopkins University (world map) using statistics from the World Health Organization and… Read More Here