Mia Breytenbach

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Mia Breytenbach

Mia Breytenbach is Deputy Editor: Features for Mining Weekly.

Tel: +2711 622 3744

Regulatory uncertainty casting shadow over SA amid forecast for further minerals market uptick

19th January 2018 The South African mining industry has had a tumultuous time because of the controversial Reviewed Draft Broad-Based Black Economic Empowerment Charter for the South African Mining and Minerals Industry, also known as Mining Charter III, which, amid lingering political uncertainty, led to low... →

OceanaGold achieves record yearly production

18th January 2018 Dual-listed gold miner OceanaGold has ended 2017 on a high note, with the company on Thursday reporting record full year and fourth-quarter gold production of 574 606 oz, and 166 211 oz, respectively. The record quarterly production led to OceanaGold achieving its yearly guidance for the sixth... →

Tyranna to start surface drilling at Eureka gold mine

18th January 2018 ASX-listed Tyranna Resources will next week start surface drilling at its Eureka gold mine, north of Kalgoorlie, Western Australia, to follow up a compelling surface lateritic gold target discovered during a recent field mapping exercise. The mine, which Tyranna is acquiring from Canada-listed... →

Kin buys ball mill, critical CIL components for Leonora gold project

18th January 2018 ASX-listed Kin Mining has exercised its option to buy a used 2.5 MW ball mill and new intertank screens and agitators for the carbon-in-leach (CIL) tanks at the Leonora gold project, in Western Australia. The company bought the ball mill and CIL components from mining equipment company... →

West African gold explorer lists in Australia

18th January 2018 West African gold developer and explorer Tietto Minerals started trading on the ASX on Thursday, following its successful initial public offer (IPO) that raised A$6-million from institutional and high net worth investors, including two global resources funds. The company issued 30-million shares... →

Harmony on track to meet FY production guidance, betters H1 production

16th January 2018 JSE-listed Harmony Gold is on track to meet its yearly production guidance of 1.1-million ounces after producing more than 550 000 oz in the six months ended December 31, the mining major announced on Tuesday. Gold production from the group’s South African operations for the period will be 9% to... →

Hummingbird’s Yanfolila pours first gold, maintains commercial production ramp-up plans

16th January 2018 With Aim-listed Hummingbird Resources having started gold production at its Mali-based Yanfolila gold mine on time and within budget in the second half of last month, the gold producer remains on track with its ramp-up to commercial production. Since acquiring the project from Gold Fields in... →

Yanfolila gold pour

Savannah marks 2018 start with mining lease applications for Mutamba

16th January 2018 Aim-listed Savannah Resources has submitted three applications to Mozambique’s Ministry of Mineral Resources and Energy for mining leases for the Mutamba heavy mineral sands project. Located in the Gaza and Inhambane provinces, Mutamba is being developed in a consortium with diversified mining... →

Acacia’s Q4 gold production slumps on export ban

15th January 2018 While LSE-listed Acacia Mining’s gold production for the fourth quarter in 2017 was slightly ahead of expectations at 148 477 oz, it was 30% lower quarter-on-quarter as a result of its flagship Bulyanhulu gold mine in Tanzania having downscaled operations. The miner’s decision to reduce... →

Centamin exceeds FY17 production guidance, aims for solid 2018 growth

10th January 2018 LSE- and TSX-listed Centamin achieved “a strong operational finish” to 2017, with the company’s Sukari mine, in Egypt, having produced 154 298 oz of gold in the fourth quarter, resulting in full-year gold production of 544 658 oz – exceeding guidance of 540 000 oz. “All sections of the mine... →

BME’s West African footprint expands as it clinches Mali blasting service contract

15th December 2017 West Africa remains an exciting region for South Africa-based explosives and blasting leader BME, which has won a full blasting service contract for a new opencast gold mining operation that is set to become the largest producer in Mali. From 2006 to 2015, 18 mines were opened in the region,... →

SERVICE OFFERING BME will carry out ore blasting using its BME’s Axxis electronic detonation system and will deploy four 20 t emulsion trucks, as well as a stemming truck

Kibaran mulling battery-grade graphite pilot in Germany

15th December 2017 Following the successful completion of a feasibility study on downstream processing of graphite from its Epanko graphite project in Tanzania, exploration company Kibaran Resources will establish a pilot plant in Germany that will be expanded to commercial scale for the supply of premium battery... →

Photo by Bloomberg
INITIAL FOCUS Kibaran Resource plans to accelerate the commercialisation of battery graphite production operations during 2018

Small- and medium-scale operations punted as ‘the future’ of mining

15th December 2017 With industrial mining on the decline, smaller- to medium-scale mining operations are the future, according to Bench Marks Foundation South Africa lead researcher David van Wyk. Addressing delegates at the Science Business Society Dialogue Conference on Linking Science, Society, Business and... →

CLUSTERED AND FORMALISED Small operations could be clustered together geographically and assigned an engineer, a geologist and a health and safety officer to ensure safe operations

Diamonds body calls for ‘productive dialogue’ on Kimberley Process reform

15th December 2017 The World Diamond Council (WDC) has called for an open discussion about the Kimberley Process (KP) reform, highlighting three key areas in need of reform to ensure its continued success. These include broadening the scope of the KP as the debate on the expansion of the definition of conflict... →

Photo by Bloomberg
EVOLUTION NEED Much remains to be done to evolve the efficiency of decision-making within the Kimberley Process

Sibanye-Stillwater to acquire embattled Lonmin, completes PGMs strategy

14th December 2017 Precious metals mining company Sibanye-Stillwater has made an all-share offer to acquire platinum group metals (PGMs) producer Lonmin. The offer values Lonmin at about £285-million, or R5.15-billion. →

Photo by Duane Daws
Sivanye-Stillwater CEO Neal Froneman

Kodal to protect Bougouni interests, applies for new licences

13th December 2017 Aim-listed Kodal Minerals has taken action to protect its ownership of relevant interests in the Kolassokoro licence area by filing new applications for two 100 km2 licences covering high-priority areas that form part of the Bougouni lithium project, in Mali. Kodal gained an interest in the... →

Brazil, South Africa collaboration to improve mining sector “natural, appropriate”, says Brazil ambassador

13th December 2017 With the mining sector having played a significant role in the history and development of South Africa and Brazil, it is “natural and appropriate” that the two countries come together to discuss and exchange ideas about how to improve the mining sector in both countries, says Ambassador of Brazil... →

Gem in talks with new potential Ghaghoo buyers

12th December 2017 Aim-listed Gem Diamonds is in discussions with other parties who are interested in acquiring the Ghaghoo mine, in Botswana, after an offer from an undisclosed party to buy the mine was withdrawn. Gem on Tuesday informed shareholders that although the undisclosed party had made an offer in August... →

Weatherly to acquire Zambia copper development project

12th December 2017 Aim-listed Weatherly International will acquire the Kitumba copper project in Zambia from ASX-listed Intrepid Mines for an upfront cash consideration of A$4.75-million. The company on Tuesday announced that it had entered into a binding agreement with Intrepid to buy the project, with the... →

Mkango receives conditional TSX-V approval for Talaxis transaction

11th December 2017 The TSX-V has conditionally accepted dual-listed Mkango Resources’ transaction with Noble Group subsidiary Talaxis, which will invest £12-million to fund a bankable feasibility study (BFS) at Mkango’s Songwe Hill rare-earth project in Malawi. "We are very pleased to announce conditional... →

Weatherly’s losses more than triple on back of Tschudi operational challenges

11th December 2017 Despite a revenue increase to $75.1-million from $63.7-million for the year ended June 30, Aim-listed Weatherly International’s losses for the year ended June 30 have more than tripled to about $40.1-million from $10.6-million, the company reported on Monday. Losses a share widened to $3.64 from... →

SAPVIA launches ‘bold’ 5-point plan for solar industrialisation

8th December 2017 The South African Photovoltaic Industry Association (SAPVIA) has announced a “bold” five-point plan for the solar photovoltaic (PV) industry to drive industrialisation, create jobs, and contribute to economic growth. Speaking at the Energy Indaba held at Gallagher Estate in Midrand, on Friday,... →

Ireland-based Connemara Mining to advance exploration on key gold, zinc prospects

8th December 2017 Irish gold and zinc explorer Connemara Mining aims to further advance exploration activities on key gold and zinc prospects, following the successful execution of several drilling programmes at these projects, Connemara Mining CEO Patrick Cullen tells Mining Weekly. Connemara currently holds... →

EXPLORATION DRIVE Active exploration programmes on Connemara Mining’s gold projects at Inishowen, in Donegal, are under way, while drilling on the Wicklow/Wexford project has started

Mining will only ‘move forward’ if there is a change of guard at Mineral Resources – lawyer

8th December 2017 The mining industry cannot move forward until new leadership is established within the Department of Mineral Resources (DMR), says law firm Cliffe Dekker Hofmeyr (CDH) mining head Allan Reid, who suggests that such a change could re-establish “some degree of optimism and trust in the mining... →

NEW HORIZONS South African mining companies are exploring other African jurisdictions for mining investment

Digitalisation initiative at Gamsberg to allow for minute-by-minute decision-making

8th December 2017 Diversified miner Vedanta Resources' Zinc International (VZI) has announced a greenfield digitalisation initiative, which will see a ‘Smart Ore Movement’ system built into its flagship Gamsberg zinc project. The project, which is being undertaken in collaboration with digital industrial company... →

Photo by Duane Daws
GE South Africa CEO Thomas Konditi and Vedanta Zinc International CEO Deshnee Naidoo

SA firm takes first steps into US market with new blasting technology

8th December 2017 With growth for the Axxis blasting technology having increased substantially each year over the past five years, Africa-based blasting and explosives leader BME has, in enhancing the brand’s growth, taken its first steps into the US market. The company conducted six successful test blasts in... →

TESTED TRUE BME’s Axxis digital initiation system, BlastMap III software and electronic detonators were used in six successful test blasts in Atlanta, in the US

South Africa urged to go back to basics to avoid mining’s demise

8th December 2017 For South Africa's mining industry to return to more successful times, the country will need to go back to basics, says Wits Mining Institute director Professor Fred Cawood, who also suggests that these basics could aid in sidestepping the demise of the mining industry in South Africa. These... →

PROFESSOR FRED CAWOOD South Africa should embrace mining

World Diamond Council encourages open dialogue, reform

7th December 2017 The World Diamond Council has called for an open discussion about the Kimberley Process (KP) reform at the upcoming KP plenary, which will take place in Brisbane from December 9 to 14. As the voice of the diamond industry, the WDC is calling for all KP participants to join together in a... →

Kibaran to build battery-grade graphite producing pilot plant

5th December 2017 Following the successful completion of a feasibility study on downstream processing of graphite from its Epanko graphite project in Tanzania, ASX-listed Kibaran Resources will establish a pilot plant in Germany that will be expanded to commercial scale for the supply of premium battery graphite... →

Allegiance takes full ownership of Canada’s Telkwa coal project

5th December 2017 ASX-listed Allegiance Coal has entered into an unconditional agreement with TSX-listed Altius Minerals to take full ownership of the Telkwa metallurgical coal project, in Canada, while the diversified royalty company will become a more significant shareholder in the miner. The company can now... →

Tanga to acquire Namibia zinc project, raises A$1.16m in placement

5th December 2017 ASX-listed Tanga Resources announced on Tuesday that it would acquire the high-grade Joumbira zinc project in Namibia and that it would raise A$1.16-million to fund the transaction and to start planned work programmes. The company entered into a binding option agreement to acquire 100% of the... →

Pilot Crushtec launches modular solutions, increases service offering

1st December 2017 Crushing and screening specialists Pilot Crushtec International has launched two new products – the Pilot Modular MAXIscalp 600 and the Metso Nordplant C80 primary crushing station intended for use in modular configurations – at its 2017 Open Day last month. The MAXIscalp 600 is the world’s... →

MODULAR FLEXIBILITY The MAXIscalp 600 scalping plant has a set-up that provides flexibility to adapt to changing operational requirements

Bushveld unit completes first phase of vanadium project expansion

1st December 2017 Aim-listed Bushveld Minerals’ Bushveld Vametco subsidiary completed the first phase of the Vametco multiphased expansion project in the September quarter, during which Vametco reached a yearly production run rate of 3 035 metric tonnes of vanadium (MTV). Bushveld Minerals and Yellow Dragon... →

Photo by Duane Daws
FORTUNE MOJAPELO The completion of the expansion project will enhance Vametco’s existing competitive position in a structurally deficit market

South32 upbeat on aluminium, manganese and energy coal prospects

1st December 2017 With the price of various commodities having improved during the 2017 financial year, diversified miner South32 remains optimistic about the aluminium, manganese and energy coal sectors for the year ahead. “Manganese led the way [in terms of price increases], and metallurgical coal, energy coal,... →

Photo by Bloomberg
GRAHAM KERR The financial results for the 2017 financial year, with the strides we’ve made towards our sustainability, diversity and safety targets, give me confidence for the year ahead

South Africa urged to go back to basics to avoid mining industry's demise

30th November 2017 In order for South Africa's mining industry to return to more successful times, the country will need to go back to basics, says Wits Mining Institute director Professor Fred Cawood, who also suggests that these basics could aid in sidestepping the demise of the mining industry in South Africa.... →

Wits Mining Institute director Professor Fred Cawood

Small-scale mining has big future but requires formalisation, planning

29th November 2017 With industrial mining on the decline, smaller- to medium-scale mining operations are the future, according to Bench Marks Foundation South Africa lead researcher David van Wyk. Addressing delegates at the Science Business Society Dialogue Conference on Linking Science, Society, Business and... →

Integrated, regional approach needed for mine water treatment – DWS

29th November 2017 Government and regulators should promote a regional integrated approach to mine water treatment, says Department of Water and Sanitation (DWS) Mine Water/Water Quality Management chief director Marius Keet. Speaking at the Science Business Society Dialogue Conference on Linking Science, Society,... →

IDC outlines actions for mining industry to inch closer to success

28th November 2017 While the Toronto Declaration-based standards for the mining industry, adopted by the International Council of Metals and Mining, are broadly accepted as encompassing mines’ social licence to operate, only an “arrogant or stupid person” would argue that all relevant standards have been met, says... →

Vedanta’s Zinc International, GE collaborate on digitalisation initiative at Gamsberg

27th November 2017 Diversified miner Vedanta Resources' Zinc International (VZI) has announced a greenfield digitalisation initiative, which will see a ‘Smart Ore Movement’ system built into its flagship Gamsberg zinc project. The project, which is being undertaken in collaboration with digital industrial company... →

Photo by Duane Daws
GE South Africa CEO Thomas Konditi and Vedanta Zinc International CEO Deshnee Naidoo

Microgrids add new arrow to Africa’s electricity access quiver

24th November 2017 The launch of a R25-million solar energy, lithium-ion battery storage microgrid on Robben Island – the World Heritage Site in Table Bay, Cape Town, which, until recently, relied on diesel to generate electricity – not only showcases the versatile advantages of microgrid technology, but also... →

Agromining may provide new opportunities to extract remaining value from mined land

24th November 2017 With a significant portion of large mineral deposits having been discovered worldwide, and, in many cases, reaching the end of viable economic recovery, phytomining is one option that could be chosen to extract the remaining value from this mined ground, Florida International University... →

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