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MiningWeekly.com provides real time news reportage through originated written & video material. Now you can listen to the top three articles on Mining Weekly at the end of each day.

  1. 4 hrs ago

    Platinum jewellery generates highest demand level since 2019

    This audio is brought to you by Endress and Hauser, a global leader in process and laboratory measurement technology, offering a broad portfolio of instruments, solutions and services for industrial process measurement and automation. Despite metal price and import tariff headwinds, platinum jewellery delivered growth across all markets in 2025, generating the highest demand level since 2019. South Africa is the world's largest producer of platinum, consistently supplying 70% to 80 of total annual output. "While the world was being disrupted profoundly, the key platinum jewellery markets responded with remarkable resilience," Platinum Guild International (PGI) CEO Tim Schlick said during the presentation of the 2025 platinum jewellery business review themed 'A year of resilience'. In China, 2025 platinum jewellery fabrication rose 56% to 589 000 oz, the strongest manufacturing year since 2022, while gold jewellery demand fell by 25%. The surge was driven largely by the sharp rise in the gold price, which attracted new participants to platinum jewellery. PGI partners outperformed the market with more than half of Chinese platinum demand linked to love-gifting occasions. In Japan – the world's highest per-capita platinum jewellery market – platinum jewellery demand grew by 2% in 2025, increasing its share of retail unit sales to 28%, while gold jewellery demand fell by 11%. Platinum continued to gain share from white gold amid elevated gold prices. Demand for higher-weight pieces such as Kihei chains held firm and the Platinum Woman programme delivered 23% more value despite the retail price increases. In India – platinum's fastest-growing jewellery market – platinum manufacturing rose by 4% to 280 000 oz in 2025 compared with a 24% decline in gold jewellery demand. While more modest than the double-digit growth of recent years, the figure reflects the impact of US tariffs on exports. The Men of Platinum campaign closed with an exclusive fan meet-and-greet with Indian professional cricketer MS Dhoni at the Taj Lands End five-star hotel in Mumbai. PGI's India partners were central to platinum's expansion into the Middle East, which saw tremendous uptake over the year. In North America, platinum jewellery demand grew by 6% in 2025, compared with gold jewellery's 10% decline. The price delta to gold made converting white gold to platinum a profitable proposition for the trade. "With the increase in lab-grown diamonds, now chosen by over 60% of consumers for the centre stone, there is an opportunity for consumers to spend more on the metal in the engagement ring, the single most important purchase in the US jewellery industry. In a K-shaped economy, high-end jewellery rose in both units and value, and bridal remained a priority," PGI stated in its media release to Mining Weekly. LOOKING AHEAD PGI expects Japan to remain stable, China to normalise towards pre-2025 levels, and Europe is expected to shift towards lower karat gold and to platinum. With platinum jewellery having proved its resilience through a year of exceptional disruptions, PGI sees a foundation for continued momentum across its markets in 2026. PGI has offices in the world's major jewellery markets and creates consumer ounce demand by identifying and fulfilling platinum jewellery opportunities for its partners.

    3 min

  2. 9 hrs ago

    BHP outlines higher cost estimate, impairment charge for Jansen Stage 2 expansion

    This audio is brought to you by Endress and Hauser, a global leader in process and laboratory measurement technology, offering a broad portfolio of instruments, solutions and services for industrial process measurement and automation. Australian miner BHP Group has reported an increased capital estimate for its potash production expansion project Jansen Stage 2, in Saskatchewan, Canada, to $6.9-billion from $4.9-billion previously, as well as a $2.3-billion impairment charge as higher costs and additional labour hours drive up spending and delay first production. BHP has exceed initial capital cost estimates at the two-stage Jansen project for the third time. , The company undertook a detailed cost and schedule review for Stage 2 of the Jansen project, with production now expected late in the 2031 financial year. BHP continues to expect Jansen Stage 2 to deliver about 4.36-million tonnes a year of production. Following an expected two-year ramp-up period from first production, combined output from Jansen is expected to be 8.5-million tonnes a year and will deliver about 10% of total global potash production. Future expansions could eventually push the site to between 16-million and 17-million tonnes a year. The funding covers the development of new mining districts, second shaft hoist infrastructure, expanded processing facilities and additional rail cars to handle higher volumes. BHP says the increased funding estimate is owing to additional construction hours and quantities of materials to complete Jansen Stage 2 and escalation, which was identified as part of the comprehensive review. At the end of May, Jansen Stage 2 was 16% complete, with engineering at 83% complete, de-risking the estimate for remaining work. Jansen Stage 2 has an updated internal rate of return of 11% and expected payback period of eight years. Underlying earnings margins for Jansen Stage 2 remain above 65% owing to its low cost position. Once Jansen Stage 2 ramps up, BHP anticipates that the combined Jansen mine will be the lowest unit cost Canadian potash mine at between $114/t and 130/t, in line with unit cost estimates at sanction, reinforcing Jansen's durable competitive advantage in the potash market and further supporting BHP's long-term growth strategy in future facing commodities. Meanwhile, Jansen Stage 1 is achieving its critical path milestones set in the updated January 2026 cost and schedule estimate, and first production remains on track for mid-2027. BHP expects its group capital expenditure guidance for the 2027 financial year to remain at about $11-billion.

    3 min

  3. 9 hrs ago

    IN FOCUS: Geopolitics and the Energy Transition

    The intensifying competition among China, the US and other major powers to secure future copper supplies is creating an opportunity for African producer countries to capture greater value from the metal’s supply chain, says political scientist and economist Gaylor Montmasson-Clai

    21 min

  4. 1 day ago

    De Beers CEO sees sale of diamond firm in 'weeks not months'

    This audio is brought to you by Endress and Hauser, a global leader in process and laboratory measurement technology, offering a broad portfolio of instruments, solutions and services for industrial process measurement and automation. A sale of De Beers, Anglo American's diamond unit, has never been closer, its CEO said on Tuesday, adding that a deal could come within weeks. Anglo put De Beers - one of the world's leading diamond companies with operations and exploration spanning Botswana, Namibia, Angola, South Africa and Canada - up for sale in May 2024 as part of a broader restructuring amid falling diamond prices and the global rise of synthetic diamonds. "I'm hopeful that it'll happen in weeks rather than months going forward," De Beers CEO Al Cook said in an interview at the Reuters NEXT Europe conference in London. "It's been a two-year period. There's been a lot of negotiations. They're now maturing. We've never been closer than we are to a sale." The unit has attracted interest from the governments of Botswana, which already holds a 15% stake, Namibia and Angola. They are members of consortia with companies interested in buying Anglo's 85% stake, according to sources. "I think what's good for us is we've had countries that really understand diamonds," Cook said. "We've had consortia and companies that know a lot about diamonds wanting to take stakes. So we've got. all the ingredients for a really powerful public-private partnership. But as with all deals, we need to get it over the line." Sources previously told Reuters there are two consortia still vying to take stakes in De Beers, down from six in 2025. The two remaining consortia include governments of diamond-producing countries, former De Beers CEO Gareth Penny, now chairperson of asset manager Ninety One, a Qatari investment fund and Israeli businessman Nir Livnat. 'DIAMONDS BECOMING RARER' Demand for diamonds globally had fallen for three years in a row before a recent pick-up, Cook said, pointing to the plunging marriage rate in China and its knock-on effect on purchases of engagement rings. Nonetheless, Cook said wider mine closures in South Africa, Lesotho and Canada by the end of 2027 will lead to a contraction of global supply. "The whole industry has only made one commercial diamond discovery in the 21st century. So overall, we expect to see demand contract over time and diamonds will become rarer," Cook said. Cook added that De Beers has been steadily cutting its own supply of stones to the market, adding that he saw a "K-shaped" economic recovery, where higher-quality diamonds are increasingly sought after, with lower quality stones remaining at depressed prices.

    2 min

  5. 1 day ago

    Brazil's Vale plans to invest $2.6bn in decarbonization initiatives

    This audio is brought to you by Endress and Hauser, a global leader in process and laboratory measurement technology, offering a broad portfolio of instruments, solutions and services for industrial process measurement and automation. Brazilian miner Vale plans to invest up to 13-billion reais ($2.56-billion) in decarbonization initiatives to meet its voluntary emissions reduction targets and mitigate climate-related risks, a sustainability report showed on Monday. The company did not specify the timeframe for the investment. The amount includes up to four-billion reais for decarbonizing operations, with 24% invested in the medium term and 76% in the long term. Another eight-billion reais is linked to building industrial complexes focused on low-carbon technologies, which includes steelmaking transition technologies and iron ore briquette development. The remaining one-billion reais would go for research and development, the firm said. Vale invested nine-billion reais in decarbonization initiatives from 2020 to 2025. Through these initiatives, Vale sees potential for financial and environmental returns for its business, sustainability executive VP Grazielle Parenti said in an interview with Reuters. "Within Vale's governance framework, all projects and decisions of this caliber are evaluated using an environmental, social, and governance matrix that identifies potential risks and opportunities for each one," she said. The company also warned on Monday it could face carbon costs of up to 22-billion reais at present value from carbon pricing mechanisms, with substantial impacts expected from 2030 onwards.

    2 min

  6. 3 days ago

    AMCU responds to dual fatalities at Northam's Zondereinde

    This audio is brought to you by Endress and Hauser, a global leader in process and laboratory measurement technology, offering a broad portfolio of instruments, solutions and services for industrial process measurement and automation. Trade union the Association of Mineworkers and Construction Union (AMCU) has expressed concern about the alleged deaths of two employees at Northam Zondereinde mine in Northam, in Limpopo. According to preliminary information, AMCU notes that, on June 13, a development crew was conducting an early entry examination at 1 Shaft when a strain burst occurred at the development face. The union says the rock drill operator attempted to take evasive action but was struck by the rock. AMCU says crew members immediately assisted the injured worker, moved him to a safe area, and administered first aid. The control room was informed, and paramedics were dispatched underground. It notes that the occupational medical practitioner (OMP) and life support team attended to the injured employee and prepared him for airlift transfer to Milpark Hospital. He allegedly succumbed to his injuries while receiving treatment at the mine medical centre. AMCU adds that a second fatal incident occurred at the same mine later that day in the processing plant's smelter converter aisle where a contractor employee supposedly died after falling from a crane during maintenance work. The trade union notes that the control room was immediately notified and that paramedics were dispatched to the smelter. It adds that the OMP and life support team attended to the injured contractor employee. Unfortunately, despite emergency response efforts in both cases, AMCU says they succumbed to their injuries. "We extend our heartfelt sympathies to the families, friends, and colleagues of the two workers who lost their lives while on duty. These tragic deaths represent not only the loss of workers but also the loss of breadwinners whose families will bear the consequences of these incidents for years to come," says AMCU president Joseph Mathunjwa. Mining Weekly has reached out to Northam for comment.

    2 min

  7. 3 days ago

    PMET Resources confirms value-added lithium processing viability on site in Québec

    This audio is brought to you by Endress and Hauser, a global leader in process and laboratory measurement technology, offering a broad portfolio of instruments, solutions and services for industrial process measurement and automation. ASX-listed lithium explorer PMET Resources has confirmed in a concept study that the Shaakichiuwaanaan project, in Québec's Eeyou Istchee James Bay region, can viably produce a value-added lithium chemical at site. This offers reduced logistics intensity over time and aligns with Canada's objectives for domestic processing of critical minerals. PMET set out to evaluate future potential to process spodumene concentrate into a value-added lithium product directly at the Shaakichiuwaanaan site. The company completed a structured review of seven processing flowsheet options in this regard, opting ultimately for ASX-listed NRW Holdings' subsidiary Primero's ALi atmospheric leach process as the preferred value-added pathway for further study. PMET says Primero's ALi proprietary process offers the best economic potential, strong logistics efficiency benefits and a low technical risk profile. The technology also minimises the project's environmental footprint. Primero undertook bench-scale testwork on spodumene concentrate samples from Shaakichiuwaanaan using its ALi process, which produced a 99.8% battery-grade lithium carbonate. If combined with the use of electric calcination through Québec's low-cost renewable energy, on-site value-added processing has future potential to reduce carbon intensity and improve efficiencies within the battery materials supply chain, PMET confirms. The company adds that the on-site refining strategy is a staged, longer-term growth opportunity and is not required for the current proposed development of the base spodumene concentrate project outlined in the Shaakichiuwaanaan 2025 prefeasibility study. Next, PMET aims to determine more economic benefits of value-added products on site including potential introduction of electrical calcination technology to leverage the full potential of Québec's renewable and low-cost hydroelectric power. PMET COO Frederic Mercier-Langevin comments Shaakichiuwaanaan is already a Tier-1 asset and this concept study potentially identifies a credible pathway to capture additional value on top of it. "Converting spodumene concentrate to a 'value-added' and potentially battery-grade lithium chemical on-site could deliver a lower-cost, lower-carbon flowsheet powered by Québec hydroelectricity. Primero's bench scale results on our concentrates indicate battery-grade purity possibility and the logistics savings could be material." PMET CEO, MD and president Ken Brinsden highlights that the lithium industry has been mining hard-rock lithium in one place and refining it in another for decades. The refining has often taken place overseas, which is hardly the most efficient supply chain solution. "The work we are reporting points to the potential for a redefinition of the supply chain. It could be a credible alternate pathway, demonstrated at bench scale with our spodumene concentrates, to refine battery-grade lithium at the mine gate in a stable, Western and low-carbon supply chain. "This is the king of industry step-change, coupled with Shaakichiuwaanaan's premier geology, that drew me to this project," Brinsden concludes.

    3 min

  8. 6 days ago

    Sustainability is at the heart of mining's future, Valterra Platinum affirms

    This audio is brought to you by Endress and Hauser, a global leader in process and laboratory measurement technology, offering a broad portfolio of instruments, solutions and services for industrial process measurement and automation. South Africa's platinum group metals (PGMs) mining and marketing company Valterra Platinum this week affirmed sustainability as being at the heart of the future of mining when it hosted its inaugural Sustainability Day to highlight the role responsible mining plays in driving competitiveness and long-term value creation. The event followed the publication of Valterra Platinum's first sustainability report in March and reinforces sustainability as a strategic imperative embedded across the business. Sustainability is the practice of using resources responsibly so that human needs are met without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs, ensuring long-term viability for the planet and society. Valterra Platinum supplies PGMs that underpin cleaner technologies. These cleaner technologies, it stated, specifically include: hydrogen energy systems; andemission reduction solutions. Collectively, hydrogen energy systems and emission-reduction solutions make this Johannesburg Stock Exchange- and London Stock Exchange-listed PGMs company a central driver of the transition to a lower-carbon global economy. As demand grows for cleaner mobility, industrial decarbonisation, energy security, and emerging technologies such as AI, sustainability is increasingly shaping operational performance, market access, customer relationships, and future growth. "The cleaner, more electrified and more connected future the world is building, depends on the metals that we mine, and we need to produce these metals in ways that are responsible, resilient and trusted," Valterra CEO Craig Miller stated in a media release to Mining Weekly. "The scale and pace of today's challenges call for integrated thinking, stronger partnerships, real innovation, and a willingness to lead. Sustainability should be more than a compliance exercise. It has to be a driver of operational excellence, an enabler of innovation and a source of resilience – and that's why sustainability is integrated into everything we do," Miller added. Valterra's sustainability strategy is guided by two mutually reinforcing principles: protecting and creating value. Value protection focuses on securing the company's licence to operate, managing regulatory and social risks, and ensuring reliable delivery to host communities and stakeholders. Value creation focuses on strengthening operational resilience, enabling cost efficiencies and energy security, supporting long-term growth, and building enduring customer relationships. The sustainability strategy is also anchored in three interconnected priorities. The first of these is climate and environment, which involves advancing decarbonisation, resource stewardship and climate resilience. This year, Valterra and Envusa Energy announced the commercial operation of the 240 MW Mooi Plaats solar PV project in South Africa's Northern Cape. The Koruson 2 project, when completed later in 2026, will reach up to 520 MW of renewable energy, of which 79% will be allocated to operations. This will meet about a third of Valterra's electricity needs, strengthening the pathway to a 30% reduction in greenhouse-gas emissions by 2030. It will also ensure operational energy security, deliver cost savings of about R300-million a year and is expected to abate about 2.2-million tonnes of CO2 equivalent a year. Furthermore, Valterra's smelting operations comply with the Minimum Emissions Standard regulations and with SO₂ abatement systems that convert emissions into sulphuric acid. While this investment delivers no additional PGM ounces, it reflects the company's commitment to doing the right thing for the environment in which it operates. Water stewardship remains a priority, with programmes to improve water effi...

    10 min
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MiningWeekly.com provides real time news reportage through originated written & video material. Now you can listen to the top three articles on Mining Weekly at the end of each day.

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