Mia Breytenbach

https://staging1.creamermedia.com/

Mia Breytenbach

Mia Breytenbach is Deputy Editor: Features for Mining Weekly.

Tel: +2711 622 3744

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... →

New tin player aiming to achieve steady-state production at Namibian project within 12 months

24th November 2017 Diversified mineral development company Bushveld Minerals’ tin platform AfriTin Mining, which has assets in Namibia and South Africa, will focus on becoming “The Africa tin champion” by bringing its flagship Uis tin project, in Namibia, to commercial production, says AfriTin Mining CEO Anthony... →

Photo by Bloomberg
TIN TARGETS AfriTin Mining aims to eventually mine three-million tonnes of ore a year and to produce about 5 000 t/y of tin concentrate, at grades of between 60% and 65%

Harmony Gold gets tax incentive for energy savings at Tshepong mine

24th November 2017 Gold producer Harmony Gold Mining Company (Harmony) has received a Section 12L tax incentive for energy savings achieved on the compressors of the miner’s Tshepong gold mine in the Free State. Section 12L of the Income Tax Act incentivises businesses to save energy through a tax allowance of 95c... →

Photo by Harmony Gold
IMPROVED EFFICIENCY Eenergy savings on Harmony Gold’s Tshepong mine compressors was achieved through the implementation of an integrated optimisation strategy

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

24th November 2017 With a significant portion of the 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... →

COMPLEMENTARY APPROACH While agromining would have specific niche markets, the process will not compete with conventional mining operations

South32 intent on resolving Appin, Cannington challenges

23rd November 2017 Having acknowledged challenges at its Australia operations, particularly at the Appin metallurgical coal mine in Illawarra, New South Wales, diversified miner South32’s focus remains on resolving operational challenges and improving operational efficiency. “We had an unacceptable year as we... →

South32 bullish on aluminium, manganese, energy coal prospects

23rd November 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
South32 CEO Graham Kerr

Underground ore reserves extend Prominent Hill life to 2029

21st November 2017 An 18% increase in the underground ore reserve at Prominent Hill could extend the mine’s life to 2029, copper/gold miner Oz Minerals reported on Tuesday. The increase in underground ore reserves to 39-million tonnes at 1.7% copper equivalent has enabled an expected underground production rate of... →

Mining contributes A$55bn to Qld economy in 2016/17

21st November 2017 The resources sector continues to drive employment and investment in Queensland, having contributed A$55.1-billion to the state’s economy in 2016/17 and supported the equivalent of 282 633 full-time jobs. This is according to the Queensland Resources Council’s (QRC’s) eighth yearly economic... →

Bushveld’s Vametco subsidiary achieves solid Q3 performance

20th November 2017 Aim-listed Bushveld Minerals’ Bushveld Vametco subsidiary put in a solid performance for the third quarter ended September 30, which was supported by a rising vanadium price that traded at an average of $39.40/kg. Bushveld Minerals and Yellow Dragon Holdings in April jointly acquired Bushveld... →

Continued apartment demand supports Balwin’s top-line growth in H1

20th November 2017 Despite a tough operating environment, residential property developer Balwin Properties continued to perform well in the six months ended August 31, with the group’s revenue up 19% year-on-year to R894-million. The increase was driven by good sales volumes, which were in line with forecasts,... →

Balwin Properties CEO Steve Brookes

Savannah completes construction of Mutamba pilot plant, commissioning under way

20th November 2017 Aim-listed resource development company Savannah Resources has completed construction of the pilot plant for its bulk metallurgical test work programme at the Mutamba mineral sands project, in Mozambique. The Mutamba project, located in the Gaza and Inhambane provinces, is being developed in a... →

The Mutamba mineral sands project, in Mozambique

Lemur appoints owner’s engineer, technical advisers for Imaloto BFS

17th November 2017 Aim-listed Bushveld Minerals’ Lemur Resources subsidiary, which is developing an integrated thermal coal mining and independent power producer asset in Madagascar, has appointed an owner’s engineer and technical advisers for the bankable feasibility study (BFS) for the Imaloto power project.... →

Collaboration with engineering firm yields nigh-R100m cost saving for Harmony

17th November 2017 JSE-listed Harmony Gold has partnered with Pretoria-based engineering company ETA Operations (ETA), formerly known as HVAC International, to improve the operational efficiency of Harmony’s deep-level gold mines in South Africa, subsequently resulting in significant cost savings. The operational... →

Photo by Harmony Gold
IMPROVING EFFICIENCY ETA Operations aided Harmony Gold in maintaining previously-implemented electricity cost savings projects that yielded significant results

AngloGold’s capex project progressing as planned, within budget

17th November 2017 JSE- and New York-listed AngloGold Ashanti says its high-return and low-capital projects in its international portfolio to extend mine lives and improve margins remain on track and within budget. “We expect . . . continued delivery to tight timelines and budgets on our portfolio-improvement... →

IN PROGRESS Anglogold is extending the life of its Mponeng mine, in Gauteng, initially through the Phase 1 project to access deeper, higher-grade ore

Need for collaboration in CSR initiatives emphasised

17th November 2017 With the mining industry now recovering from the downturn in commodity prices, and a new balance emerging in the global demand and supply of minerals, now is the time to reflect, innovate and plan for a more resilient industry in the future, says Mineral Resources Deputy Minister Godfrey... →

Afritin targets Africa tin champion title, Namibia project upscaled to commercial production

14th November 2017 Following the demerger of Afritin Mining from Aim-listed Bushveld Minerals – and its subsequent listing as the only pure - play tin platform on the Aim last week – the company, which has assets in Namibia and South Africa, will focus on becoming “The Africa tin champion” by bringing its flagship... →

Photo by Duane Daws
Afritin Mining CEO Anthony Viljoen

South African rail operator rebrands, expands offering

10th November 2017 Following the investment by the Pan-African Infrastructure Development Fund 2 (PAIDF2), managed by Pan-African fund manager Harith General Partners, in South African locomotive and rail operator Sheltam Group in June, the company has launched several initiatives to enhance its offering to the... →

NEW FACE New initiatives for Sheltam Group include the rebranding to Traxtion

Gas company secures onshore petroleum production right

10th November 2017 The Petroleum Agency of South Africa has granted integrated alternative and renewable-energy business Renergen’s Tetra4 subsidiary environmental authorisation for its Free State natural gas development. The authorisation, the processing of which has taken more than two years, with multiple rounds... →

PRODUCTION EXPANSION While Tetra4 already produces compressed natural gas, new expansions will include the liquefaction of the gas – the first in South Africa

AEL Mining Services launches rock-breaking technology chair at University of Pretoria

10th November 2017 Johannesburg-headquartered developer, producer and supplier of commercial explosives AEL Mining Services has, in partnership with the University of Pretoria (UP), launched the AEL Mining Services Chair in Innovative Rock Breaking Technology, which will reside within the Department of Mining... →

CHAIRED PROJECT The first project from AEL Mining Services Chair in Innovative Rock Breaking Technology will be to determine safe blast-clearance radii for blasting

Modular Reflux Classifier launched

10th November 2017 Minerals and cement industry equipment and services supplier FLSmidth has officially launched its modular Reflux Classifier (RC) plant, which is suitable for fines gravity separation applications. This integrated engineered modular solution is based on a fundamental component – FLSmidth’s... →

Photo by Duane Daws
DEON DE KOCK With this modular plant, we can really live our vision by delivering that extra value

Tsodilo to treat BK16 samples to recover diamonds, assess economic viability

9th November 2017 Following a completed drilling and bulk sampling programme at TSX-listed Tsodilo Resources’ 100%-owned BK16 kimberlite project, in Botswana’s Orapa kimberlite field (OKF), the company will treat the samples to recover diamonds and determine the grade, quality and size distribution of the... →

Mining industry should review business models, CSR collaboration – DMR

7th November 2017 With the mining industry now recovering from the downturn in commodity prices, and a new balance emerging in the global demand and supply of minerals, now is the time to reflect, innovate and plan for a more resilient industry in the future, says Mineral Resources Deputy Minister Godfrey... →

AngloGold achieves strong Q3 performance, on track to meet FY guidance

6th November 2017 Johannesburg- and New York-listed AngloGold Ashanti generated free cash flow of $88-million in the third quarter of this year, following strong production and cost containment across its portfolio, and remains on track to meet its full-year guidance. The free cash flow for the quarter, compared... →

Photo by Duane Daws
AngloGold CEO Srinivasan Venkatakrishnan

Newly inaugurated PV microgrid to supply almost 50% of Robben Island’s electricity

3rd November 2017 Robben Island, a World Heritage Site has gone green with the installation of a R25-million solar energy, lithium-ion battery storage microgrid that will supply almost half of the island’s yearly electricity requirement. The Department of Tourism, together with the appointed engineering,... →

Photo by Duane Daws
LEON VILJOEN This system makes it the ideal solution, not only for the environment, but also from a business perspective

Logistics property fund seeking development opportunities in South Africa, UK

3rd November 2017 JSE-listed specialist logistics property developer and landlord Equites Property Fund, which has a R1.3-billion development pipeline in progress, is pursuing various development opportunities, in South Africa and in the UK. Equites’ local growth strategy is focused on the development of... →

LET PORTFOLIO Equites Property Fund has completed the 28 527 m2 distribution centre and head office for Röhlig-Grindrod, in Meadowview, which is being let on a ten-year lease

De Beers posts 46% higher diamond output

3rd November 2017 Diamond major De Beers’ rough diamond production for the third quarter of the year increased by 46% year-on-year to 9.2-million carats, reflecting stable trading conditions, as well as the contribution from the ramp-up of the Gahcho Kué joint venture diamond mine, in Canada. Production in Canada... →

CANADIAN SUCCESS Production in Canada increased five-fold to 1.1-million carats

Kumba’s September-quarter iron-ore output 2% down year-on-year

3rd November 2017 Anglo American subsidiary Kumba Iron Ore’s production decreased by 2% year-on-year to 11.5-million tonnes for the quarter ended September 30. This was owing to a 7% decrease in the Sishen mine’s production to 7.8-million tonnes, compared with 8.3-million tonnes in the third quarter of 2016. →

SOLID SISHEN Sishen iron-ore mine maintained its consistent performance, with ongoing improvements that have resulted in a revised production guidance for 2017

Goldplat’s gold sales up 95% in September quarter

3rd November 2017 African gold recovery services company Goldplat has achieved a 95% year-on-year increase in gold sales to 14 374 oz for the quarter ended September 30. "With operational profitability achieved at all operations and good progress being made on our strategic objectives, I am very pleased with the... →

UCT’s business school to participate in UN programme research council

27th October 2017 The University of Cape Town’s (UCT’s) Graduate School of Business (GSB) has been named as one of nine leading universities to be part of a partnership with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) to develop a research agenda that will better leverage private investment to finance the... →

Family-owned businesses outperform peers, report shows

27th October 2017 Family-owned companies have outperformed broader equity markets in every region and sector, according to the Credit Suisse Research Institute’s (CSRI’s) ‘The CS Family 1000’ report, which reviews the investment case for family-owned companies. The financial performance of family-owned companies... →

Goldplat increases gold sales in Sept quarter

24th October 2017 Aim-listed gold producer Goldplat has achieved a 95% year-on-year increase in gold sales to 14 374 oz for the quarter ended September 30. "With operational profitability achieved at all operations and good progress being made on our strategic objectives, I am very pleased with the results for the... →

De Beers’ Q3 output rises 46% y/y

24th October 2017 Diamond major De Beers’ rough diamond production for the third quarter of the year increased by 46% year-on-year to 9.2-million carats, reflecting stable trading conditions, as well as the contribution from the ramp-up of the Gahcho Kué joint venture mine, in Canada. Production in Canada... →

Kumba Q3 output down 2% y/y; FY guidance raised

24th October 2017 Anglo American subsidiary Kumba Iron Ore’s production decreased by 2% year-on-year to 11.5-million tonnes for the quarter ended September 30. This was owing to a 7% decrease in the Sishen mine’s production to 7.8-million tonnes, compared with 8.3-million tonnes in the third quarter of 2016. →

Renergen secures onshore petroleum production right in South Africa; will locally produce LNG

24th October 2017 The Petroleum Agency of South Africa has granted integrated alternative and renewable energy business Renergen’s Tetra4 subsidiary environmental authorisation for its Free State natural gas development. The authorisation, the processing of which has taken more than two years and has involved... →

Renergen CEO Stefano Marani

Robben Island inaugurates R25m microgrid

20th October 2017 Robben Island, a World Heritage Site has gone green with the installation of a R25-million solar energy, lithium-ion battery storage microgrid that will supply almost half of the island’s yearly electricity requirement. The Department of Tourism, together with the appointed engineering,... →

Gamsberg zinc project a thumbs up for South Africa amid investment slowdown

20th October 2017 Amid low levels of capital project activities in South Africa, the $400-million Gamsberg zinc and lead project, in the Northern Cape, has become the largest mining project under execution in the country. “Commentators have noted that this significant investment in the South African mining... →

Local gas company trials diesel dual-fuel kits on long-haul trucks

20th October 2017 As fleet operators increasingly aim to enhance fuel efficiency and reduce costs, natural gas company Tetra4, a subsidiary of JSE-listed energy company Renergen, has started trialling diesel dual-fuel (DDF) kits on two European brands of trucks to establish the advantages of natural gas as a fuel... →

SAVINGS PURSUIT Indicative results can play a role in the development of an alternative cost-saving methodology for fleet owners and in pursuing and encouraging fleet optimisation

Property developer launches SA’s first dual-certified property portfolio

20th October 2017 Real estate investment trust (Reit) Growthpoint Properties has launched the first and only property portfolio in South Africa to be highly rated by the South African Property Owners Association (Sapoa) and the Green Building Council South Africa (GBCSA). The Thrive Portfolio combines quality and... →

WRAPPING UP Growthpoint Properties is nearing completion on the 112 000 m2 office development for Discovery, in Sandton

Gamsberg zinc project a thumbs up for South Africa amid investment slowdown

20th October 2017 Amid low levels of capital project activities in South Africa, the $400-million Gamsberg zinc and lead project, in the Northern Cape, has become the largest mining project under execution in the country. “Commentators have noted that this significant investment in the South African mining... →

ECOLOGICAL SENSITIVITY Vedanta Zinc International harvested almost 85 000 plants, which will be relocated and/or donated in future to other nurseries and botanical gardens

South Africa spending less than its peers on mining research and development

20th October 2017 While South Africa had increased its investment in mining research and development (R&D) since 2014, the country’s investment was still below that of its peers, delegates heard during a panel discussion on ‘Technological Innovation and Advancements in the Mining Industry’ at the Joburg Indaba... →

SA weighs market opportunities as utility-scale battery storage prospects improve

13th October 2017 Following the release of an energy storage technoeconomic study, ‘The South Africa Energy Storage Technology and Market Assessment’, advocating that South Africa requires market preparation to take advantage of growth opportunities in the stationary and mobility value chains of energy storage,... →

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