South Africa Mining News and Commentary

Rio’s Zimbabwe spin-off to acquire Murowa diamond mine

Cecilia Jamasmie | May 24, 2012

Zimbabwean miner RioZim Limited is negotiating with global giant Rio Tinto in an attempt to acquire the now jointly own Murowa diamond mine in the in south central region of the country.

De Beers leading efforts to rescue illegal miners at abandoned mine

MINING.com News | May 23, 2012

De Beers on Wednesday launched rescue efforts for diggers who have been trapped after an illegally excavated tunnel collapsed in the diamond giant's abandoned Namaqualand mining area.
South African coal-to-liquid giant opens $440 million shaft

Times Live South Africa | May 22, 2012

Sasol Mining produces more than 40 million tons of coal a year, with more than 90% of the coal mined being beneficiated by Sasol to produce high-quality synthetic fuels and a wide range of chemicals.
DiamondCorp agrees on a $33.6 million loan deal with South Africa’s IDC

Cecilia Jamasmie | May 22, 2012

African DiamondCorp (LON:DCP) said its 74% owned Lace Diamond Mines, the company's primary asset in South Africa, has entered into a loan funding term sheet with the Industrial Development Corporation of South Africa Limited (IDC), the company announced Monday.
From coal mine to classroom

Mineweb | May 21, 2012

Mine closure usually spells the end of communities situated in the back of beyond but, a small town in South Africa is fighting that fate with education.
Ocean phosphate mine proposed

Andrew Topf | May 20, 2012

BusinessLive, in a feature article posted Saturday, presents a good summary of efforts made thus far to advance ocean mining.
Gold Fields Q1 earnings fall but beat market estimates

Mineweb | May 17, 2012

Despite reporting an 18% drop in its quarterly earnings, South Africa's Gold Fields beat market estimates as output and the bullion price in South African rand both fell.
WDC Honors Oppenheimer

IDEX Online | May 17, 2012

The World Diamond Council has paid a special tribute to De Beers Chairman Nicky Oppenheimer at a gala dinner in Vicenza, Italy.
Trans Hex to return to profit as production grows

Mining Weekly | May 15, 2012

Diamond miner Trans Hex said on Tuesday it expected a net profit of about R208-million for the twelve months ended March, compared with a loss of R45.1-million the previous year.
CIL, Limpopo government ink pact to develop coal mines in South Africa

The Economic Times | May 14, 2012

The government today said Coal India (CIL) has signed a pact with government of Limpopo, South Africa for jointly identifying, exploring and developing coal mines.
South African steel producers to face collusion charges in tribunal

Steel Guru | May 13, 2012

The Competition Commission has referred a collusion case in the steel industry to the Competition Tribunal and has requested that the tribunal impose a penalty of 10% of each of the steel producers' annual turnover in South Africa. The commission's…
South African government granted right to appeal in Sishen mineral rights case

Cecilia Jamasmie | May 11, 2012

A South African court on Friday granted the Department of Mineral Resources and Imperial Crown Trading (ICT) permission to appeal in a complex case for limited rights at Sishen, one of the world’s largest iron-ore mines.
AngloGold profit almost double in Q1 and plans investments of $1.9 billion to boost production

Cecilia Jamasmie | May 10, 2012

Africa's largest gold miner AngloGold Ashanti (NYSE:AU) posted first-quarter earnings Thursday of $429 million, which more than double the same period last year, despite a drop in production on the year.
Harmony Gold may boost output by 150,000 ounces next year

Bloomberg | May 10, 2012

Harmony Gold Mining Co. (HAR), the third- largest African miner of the metal, may boost output by 150,000 ounces in the fiscal year ending June 2013 as the company starts new projects, Chief Executive Officer Graham Briggs said.
Wholesale grade drop pummels Harmony profits

Mineweb | May 9, 2012

Exacerbated by stoppages and repairs, the gold miner reported a 20% drop in overall grade but, the bottom line was saved by a tax credit.
Anglo American Platinum to adopt fuel cell locomotive

Cecilia Jamasmie | May 9, 2012

Anglo American Platinum (Amplats), the world’s largest platinum producer, launched today the first of five fuel cell-powered locomotive prototypes to be tested at its mining operations in South Africa.
Falling output hurts SA gold miners

Finance 24 | May 8, 2012

South African gold producers are expected to report lower quarterly earnings with production knocked across the board as output-disrupting safety stoppages continue to sting, a Reuters poll of 7 analysts showed.
South Africa mine casualty figures at record low

MINING.com News | May 6, 2012

Miningmx.com reports April has seen the lowest number of mining fatalities ever in South Africa, according to figures released by mines minister Susan Shabangu.
Zimbabwe mining revenues up 10% to $458 million

Andrew Topf | May 3, 2012

Zimbabwe's mine output increased in the first quarter, leading to surging revenues for government coffers, NewsDay is reporting.
Platinum to rack up eighth year of surplus

GFMS Limited -www.gfms.co.uk | May 3, 2012

Meanwhile, palladium remained in a gross deficit last year, with this being likely to increase in 2012.
Barrick makes investors day by hiking dividend 33%

Cecilia Jamasmie | May 2, 2012

Barrick Gold Corp. (TSX:ABX) increased its quarterly dividend by 33%, as the company announced Wednesday a 3% increase in its first-quarter profit.
Zimplats sees quarterly profits jump 170 pct

Mineweb | April 30, 2012

A 32% increase in revenue from higher average platinum prices saw Impala Platinum's Zimbabwe unit's profits climb 170% quarter on quarter despite some labour and power shortage problems.
CoAL jumps through hoops to get Vele running

Andrew Topf | April 29, 2012

Fourteen months after being halted by the South African departments of water and environment, Coal of Africa's Vele mine has begun shipping its first coal.
Surprised it lasted this long. Soviet-era palladium stockpiles said to be depleted

Frik Els | April 26, 2012

Apart from Russian reserves no longer distorting the market, South Africa's dwindling supply is bound to boost prices further.
Coal of Africa Vele mine easy on the eyes and environment

Mineweb | April 25, 2012

Painted the colour of desert sand to blend into the background, the coal miner's coal washing plant has been built to be as gentle on the surrounding landscape as possible.
First Uranium committed to sell South African mines

Cecilia Jamasmie | April 25, 2012

TSX- and JSE-listed First Uranium (TSX:FIU) (JSE:FUM) announced it will stick with an earlier announced deal to sell the Ezulwini gold and uranium operation to Chinese-owned Gold One, with shareholders due to decide on June 13.