SRK completes due diligence study into ‘complex copper-mining operation’

Diversified engineering company and scientists SRK Consulting recently completed a comprehensive due diligence (DD) study on a complex mining operation in Southern Africa. 

Africa-focused junior launches study 
into Namibia uranium projet

Africa-focused Australian mining junior Bannerman is in the process of initiating a definitive feasibility study on its 80%-owned Etango project, in Namibia, in December 2009, and has since... 

Mining sector accounts for big portion of 
hydraulics company’s 600% turnover increase

Hydraulic engineering company Hydraulic Engineering Repair Services (Hers) has grown its turnover by 600% since 2004, with a significant portion of the growth achieved in the mining sector. 

Skills shortage to be more acute by 2020

The full affects of the global skills crisis on the South African engineering industry will be compounded by 2020 owing to the aging nature of professionals within the industry, reports executive... 

SRK’s China unit retailed to offer 
iron-ore operation advisory services

With visible signs of a global economic and commodity revival, renewed focus will be placed on commodities that are key to fast-tracking infrastructure projects significantly affected by the global... 

Gold producer renames mine 
to highlight safety advances

Gold-mining major Harmony Gold has renamed its Elandsrand mine to Kusasalethu in an effort to highlight the advancements that the mine has made in safety and to entrench a strong safety culture at... 

Engineering company secures order for 27 apron feeders

Bulk materials handling and minerals processing specialist Osborn is starting 2010 with a record number of orders in hand, including 27 new apron feeders that will be fabricated and delivered... 

Exxaro aiming to be a significant player in iron-ore sector

Diversified miner Exxaro Resources announced at its 2009 annual results presentation that it hoped to offer future competition to Kumba Iron Ore (KIO) in the local market. 

2010 to be characterised by more innovative deal financing strategies – Ernst & Young

Following a turbulent 2009 for the mining and metals sector, 2010 will be a year characterised by a greater focus on capital allocation, more innovative deal financing strategies, a continuation of... 

Kumba reports 42% decline in injury frequency rate

South Africa’s largest iron-ore producer, Kumba Iron Ore (KIO), has decreased its lost-time injury-frequency rate by 42%. 

KIO’s export sales surged by 9,3-million tons in 2009

The world’s fourth-largest iron-ore producer, Kumba Iron Ore (KIO), has recorded a 9,3-million-ton increase in its export sales. 

New head takes over at Wits School of Mining Engineering

South Africa’s oldest mining school, the Wits School of Mining Engineering, has acquired the services of two former heads of mining schools and two former chief inspectors of mines under its... 

Gold mine notches up 2m fatality-free shifts

Fairview mine, part of Pan African Resources Barberton Mines in Mpumalanga, recorded a exemplary safety record for the six-month period ending December 2009, with the mine achieving two-million... 

Pan African aiming to produce 
95 000 oz in fiscal 2010

Africa-focused midtier miner Pan African Resources announced, at its interim results presentation for the six months ending December 2009, that it is targeting 95 000 oz of gold for the full... 

Great Basin breathing new life into S Africa's South Rand goldfield

Gold producer Great Basin Gold’s (GBG’s) ambition of becoming a midtier gold producer is fast becoming a reality and could be achieved by June this year when its Burnstone project, in Mpumalanga,... 

North West rural communities set to benefit from potential beneficiation project

Rural communities in the North West province could be the main benefactors of an ambitious diamond beneficiation project that could be established near the province’s capital Mafikeng. 

Mining junior advances Liberian 
gold, iron-ore projects

African mining junior African Aura Mining reports that significant progress is being made at its New Liberty gold and Putu iron-ore projects in Liberia. 

Great Basin Gold breathing new life into underexploited South Rand goldfield

South African gold producer Great Basin Gold’s (GBG) ambition of becoming a midtier gold producer is fast becoming a reality and could be achieved by June this year when its Burnstone project, in... 

Actom supplying biggest portion of substation equipment at Namibia uranium mine

In its largest-ever contract to date, energy engineering company Actom Power Systems is procuring, supplying and installing the electrical equipment required for four new substations being... 

South African consultancy steps up involvement in Moz coal exploration

In line with the group’s increased focus on the energy sector, South African consulting engineer SRK Consulting has increased its coal exploration activities in Tete province, in Mozambique. 

SRK to open office in DRC, eyeing Ghana, Zimbabwe

Diversified consulting engineers and scientists, SRK Consulting is in the process of positioning itself for an aggressive expansion into the African market. 

Mining contractor working on safer, productivity-enhancing 
shaft sinking method

Diversified engineering giant, Murray & Roberts Cementation, is currently engineering a new shaft sinking methodology for its African operations that will see an increase in both safety and... 

New explosives code to come into effect within months

In an effort to bring South Africa on par with best-practice safety standards in the mining industry, new regulations are being introduced for the mine explosives industry. 

Uganda vermiculite mine to start production by end of first quarter

Australian mining junior Gulf Resources has announced that its subsidiary, East African Vermiculite (EAV) operation, is quickly moving towards recommissioning its pilot project and production is... 

World Diamond Council calls on buyers to shun Zim gems 
until human rights concerns have been dealt with

For more than a year, the World Diamond Council (WDC) has voiced its concerns regarding allegations of human rights abuses in Zimbabwe and significant examples of irregularities concerning... 

Bon Accord project should achieve significant profits at ‘moderate’ price levels – African Nickel

African mining junior African Nickel reports that the company is eyeing significant profits from its Bon Accord project, in Mpumalanga, which can be achieved at a nickel price stable at moderate... 

Alliance has advantages for both Anglo and African Nickel

The nickel alliance agreement between mining junior African Nickel and one of the world’s largest diversified miners Anglo American is proving to be mutually beneficial to both companies reports... 

Anglo turns to new data visualisation tool to improve
geographical assaying capabilities

Platinum mining major Anglo Platinum has turned to information solutions provider Octoplus and the SAS JMP data visualisation tool in an effort to increase the efficiency of its geographical... 

Aussie explorer acquires 70% of Ghana gold project

Australian exploration major Signature Metals has exercised its option to acquire 70% of the Konongo gold project from Mwana Africa. 

Bateman reports ‘better-than-expected’ performance despite recession

Diversified South African engineering company Bateman Engineering reports that although many companies will remember 2009 as one of the most challenging years to date, Bateman had a better than... 

Gem firm to start mining at Botswana operation by midyear

European Diamond mining junior Firestone Diamonds has announced that it intends to start development of commercial mining operations on its BK11 kimberlite in Botswana.  

Bateman sets up new consulting unit ahead of expected commodities upturn

As the mining industry positions itself to take advantage of the increased demand for commodities following the global financial crisis, demand for multidisciplinary consulting agents is high... 

Diamond industry seeing slight glimmer of old sparkle in distance

The diamond industry, an industry largely dependent on jewellery sales – which in itself carries the perception of being dominated by the rich and famous – suffered the nearest thing to a total... 

Diamond industry seeing slight glimmer of old sparkle in distance

The diamond industry, an industry largely dependent on jewellery sales - which in itself carries the perception of being dominated by the rich and famous - suffered the nearest thing to a total... 

Bateman to divest from non-South African 
business units of minerals recovery division

Diversified engineering group Bateman Engineering has reported that it is to sell its interests in the non-South African business units of its mineral recovery division to a private buyer. 

Botswana diamond mine expansion gets the nod

South African diamond mining giant De Beers has announced that the shareholders of Debswana, most prominent of which is the Government of the Republic of Botswana, have greenlighted a major... 

Series of roadshows launched 
to raise silicosis awareness

In an attempt to halt the increasing deaths related to silicosis illnesses, the Mine Health and Safety Council (MHSC) has launched a series of Silicosis Awareness roadshows to increase awareness... 

Govt backing of FET colleges key to 
denting mining skills dearth – MQA head

Government support of further educational training (FET) colleges is key if South Africa is to resolve the growing skills crisis reports the Mining Qualifications Authority (MQA). 

Zambia’s Lumwana copper mine reports 15% production increase

The increased production results recorded at Lumwana copper project, Africa’s biggest greenfield mining development, present positive signs for an ailing economy that hopes to rebuild itself to its... 

Coal to be SA’s main energy source for decades

The supply of coal to the domestic market has been secured until 2040 according to State-owned power utility Eskom.