Ian Farmer, CEO of the world's third-largest platinum company, Lonmin, and his executive team face an extremely testing time in mining sector. Markets are sitting with an oversupply that could last up to two years.

Junior coal miners need to shift attention to domestic market, cash in on drop in export prices, says commodities analyst.

Zimbabwe is estimated to hold between 10 billion and 20 billion tonnes of coal resources.

The stresses that have afflicted South Africa's platinum miners for the best part of a year appear to be coming to a head.