April 19, 2012

Not at the top: rare earth ranks fifth for supply risk

In a supply risk index of chemical elements that are of economic value, four elements placed ahead of rare earth.

April 19, 2012

Are Google executives and James Cameron planning to mine asteroids?

Speculation is mounting that group of heavy-hitting investors—including filmmaker James Cameron and Google executives Larry Page and Eric Schmidt—may announce next week in Seattle plans to mine asteroids for minerals.

April 10, 2012

Reports of Mugabe’s death are greatly exaggerated

Widely circulated reports that the 88-year old were fighting for his life in a Singapore hospital were deemed to be "lies meant to destabilise Zimbabwe," according to a spokesman.

April 4, 2012

Precious metals investors taking big knocks adjusting to life without QE3

Gold dropped more than $57 or 3.4% an ounce in early afternoon trade while ever volatile silver tanked more than 6%. Platinum crashed through the $1,600 an ounce level and…

March 25, 2012

Calling Another Bottom in Gold and Silver Stocks Sector

The last time I called an important bottom in the precious metals sector was on December 29, 2011 (). Well, it's time for another important bottom. I believe the late…

March 9, 2012

South Africa’s standalone state mining company a step closer, already hunting for deals

South Africa took a step closer on Thursday to create a standalone mining company that will take charge of the government's role in the country's rich resources and with ambitions…

March 8, 2012

Zimbabwe – last to leave, never mind turning off the lights – they’re already off

In the 32 years of his benighted rule, Zimbabwe's President Robert Gabriel Mugabe has done more damage to the country than its white-led minority government ever did.

March 7, 2012

Are South Africa’s new platinum and silver ETNs exciting

South Africa's ABSA bank plans to launch platinum and silver Exchange Traded Notes (ETNs). Will they prove to be as successful as the country's New Gold ETF?

March 2, 2012

New study says 66% of institutional investors choose Africa as number one destination. No wonder. Have you seen the size of that place?

A new survey by The Economist Intelligence Unit finds when institutional investors interested in frontier markets were asked to choose two regions out of five, two-thirds see Africa – projected…

February 14, 2012

Fuel cell powered mine loco to be trialled at Anglo Platinum

Discussed in depth in our forthcoming March 2012 issue, the use of rail in underground mining is still widespread. It is also not standing still in terms of new technology.…