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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. 16 HRS AGO

    Africa must shift from policy intent to implementation, Teck merger good for SA – Wanblad

    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. The time has come for Africa to shift from policy intent to implementation, says Anglo American CEO Duncan Wanblad. Speaking at the Investing in African Mining Indaba 2026 held in Cape Tow this week, he noted that the mining community had for many years spoken about the "incredible potential of this continent. What is different today is that the conditions for unlocking that potential are increasingly aligned." Taking the Lobito Corridor as an example, Wanblad urged African governments "to continue engaging on developing the infrastructure required to establish cross-border value-chains, integrating power pools, harmonising customs processes and establishing governance structure that enabled action, rather than delaying". The Lobito Corridor is a 1 300 km, multi-nation rail-based logistics axis connecting the Angolan port of Lobito to the mineral-rich Katanga province in the Democratic Republic of Congo and the Copperbelt in Zambia. Wanblad noted that developing such infrastructure required attracting "not tens, but hundreds of billions of dollars". He emphasised that such large investments would only flow where policy environments were stable, licensing processes were predictable and risk-sharing mechanisms were credible. "Surely, value-addition and beneficiation are crucial here, however, they must be economically viable, because it rarely makes sense to replicate each step of the value-chain everywhere. "The opportunity lies in planning corridors intelligently, allocating activities where they make the most sense, and then investing accordingly. "This is how Africa can unlock the full potential of its mineral endowment and turn potential into lasting prosperity." No Change for SA in Face of Anglo, Teck Merger Anglo American and Teck Resources in September last year announced that they had reached an agreement to merge into Anglo Teck, a global critical minerals champion and top-five global copper producer. "As CEO of Anglo American and soon to be Anglo Teck, it is deeply important to me that we are so much more than a mining company, and nowhere more so than here in South Africa," said Wanblad. "Now, the merger with Teck does not that change that in any way at all. In fact it strengthens our long-term commitment by creating new opportunities for growth, investment and value. "We have been a true partner for progress, contributing to nation-building and standing alongside communities through moments of both growth and challenge. "We certainly believe that a bigger, stronger Anglo America is not only good for our business, but that it is good for South Africa and everywhere else we operate," noted Wanblad. "It strengthens our capacity to invest, to grow and to contribute meaningfully to inclusive development. Anglo Teck is good for South Africa, and it is good for Africa."

    3 min

  2. 16 HRS AGO

    Worrying fall-of-ground regression outlined by Minerals Council at Mining Indaba

    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. The Minerals Council South Africa will renew its focus on key safety interventions, particularly on eliminating falls-of-ground incidents, which have increased in the past year despite 2025's record low number of fatalities The Minerals Council noted in a briefing on day-two of the Investing in African Mining Indaba that there was a worrying 25% regression in fatalities related to falls of ground, which increased to 15 deaths in 2025 from 12 the year before. In 2022, a CEO-approved fall-of-ground action plan contributed to fall-of-ground fatalities being lowered to six. Now fatalities the Minerals Council will work with its members to understand why there has been a setback. In the 2016 to 2020 five-year period, the number of fall-of-ground fatalities fell by 78% to an average of 24 a year from an average of 111 a year in 2001 to 2005. The key interventions were the implementation of entry examinations and actively making working areas safe daily since 2009. In 2012, netting and bolting of tunnel roofs and walls were introduced and the use of steel nets has become a common feature in South Africa's deep-level mines. The mining industry closed year 2025 on 41 known fatalities, an all-time low and one fatality fewer than the 42 in 2024. While pointing out that this was the second successive year of the lowest number of mining sector fatalities, Minerals Council CEO Zero Harm Forum chairperson Japie Fullard made a strong point of acknowledging that 41 families have lost their loved ones, as have friends and colleagues, and extend the industry's heartfelt condolences to them. "As mining CEOs, we believe that zero harm is possible. If you consider the significant reduction in fatalities, injuries and illnesses in the sector over the past three decades you will understand why we hold this belief," Fullard added. In the coal industry, for example, there were eight months up to end August 2025 without a fatality.. Indications that safety interventions and programmes delivering the outcomes the sector expects to see as it strives for Zero Harm is that the number of 2025 fatalities in 2025 is marginally down on 2024 fatalities and there has also been a 12% reduction in serious injuries to 1 693 from 1 925, The mining industry has reduced fatalities in three decades by 91% to 41 in 2025 from 484 in 1994. Serious injuries have fallen by 80% to 1 693 from 8 347 in that period, with specific sector focus on leading causes of fatalities such as falls of ground as well as transportation and mining contributing to the reduction. Increased attention at CEO level to lead safety and health initiatives and the sector's adoption of leading practices have contributed positively. The Minerals Council's most important partnership is with the Mines Inspectorate in the Department of Mineral and Petroleum Resources and organised labour as we strive to achieve Zero Harm at South Africa's mines. This is the partnership most highly valued by the Minerals Council because of the significant interventions the sector has made in fatalities, injuries, and occupational diseases to return all employees home in safely after every shift. At the Minerals Council, member CEOs meet on the first working day of each month to share their learnings about safety incidents, the root causes and the actions they have implemented to ensure these incidents are not repeated again. "It's only through sharing like this that we grow our knowledge base and not repeat the mistakes that have hurt or killed our colleagues. It is a very powerful platform and I'm encouraged by the seriousness with which these sessions are treated and the level of engagement we have. I have no doubt this a major contributor towards the advances we are making in health and ...

    5 min

  3. 1 DAY AGO

    Strong multi-year commodity period on way, Minerals Council president says at Indaba

    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 strong sustained positive commodity cycle is on the way, and South Africa should go all out to take full benefit from it for the benefit of the South African people. To make the best of what is seen as a major new opportunity for South Africa, government should ensure a regulatory environment that is enabling, electricity competitiveness should be assured and the way should be opened for exploration to take place in the near term. These were among the points made by Minerals Council South Africa president Paul Dunne, who is leading the mining industry through regulatory shifts that will promote investment in exploration and mining. Dunne, who is also the CEO of Northam Platinum and who served as caretaker president in 2024, was officially elected at the council's 135th annual general meeting in May 2025. "It's a personal view, but I do think South Africa is in for a strong multi-year commodity cycle and not, as you might say, a flash in the pan," Dunne outlined during a key media briefing on day-one of this year's well-attended Investing in African Mining Indaba in Cape Town, which is being covered by Mining Weekly. "The question, of course, that's certainly in our minds is, will we be able to take full advantage of a commodity cycle such as this? We're certainly going to be advantaged, but will we be able to take full advantage?" "There are still hurdles and obstacles that we're working on to improve our lot. The team at Minerals Council South Africa is a very dedicated bunch of quite quiet people. "In many respects, what they do is often hidden in the sense that it's a lot of hard grind behind the scenes with government departments. In essence, what Minerals Council South Africa is doing is grinding out better outcomes on some very difficult issues. "The issue that is foremost in our mind is the Amendment Bill," in reference to the 2025 draft Mineral Resources Development Bill, which aims to amend South Africa's Mineral and Petroleum Resources Development Act of 2002. "We were disconcerted by what we saw in the Bill and we hadn't yet got access to the regulations that support the Bill, and we had about five areas of broad concern. "In the first instance, we directly engaged with the Minister and the department to express concern, and we followed that up with a very lengthy legalistic document, pointing out the good bits and raising alarm on some of the more difficult areas," Dunne spelt out in the Minerals Council South Africa briefing covered by Mining Weekly. Fingers are now crossed that a reformed Bill will be published in the not-too-distant future. FERROALLOYS SHOULD BE GIVEN A CHANCE The second crucial issue raised by Dunne is the electricity issue. "Although we've had success as a country with the security of electrical supply, the cost of electrical supply has arisen by very substantial amount of somewhere between 800% nd 900% over the last ten years or so. "That has put pressure on the energy intensive users, such as the ferroalloy part of our sector, and beginning with the ferrochrome and then also the ferromanganese. These smelters are very heavy users of power and one of the biggest cost inputs is the cost of power. "Many of those furnaces are now dormant because they are not profitable in the current environment. What we have done, working with the government departments, including Minister of Electricity, together with the chrome sector, is to advise government that we need to help that sector. "The reason we worry about tariffs and quota application is it's contagious and has potentially unintended consequences, and we also think it's a misdiagnosis of the problem. "The real issue is the cost of power, and there is movement from Eskom under the guidance of the Ministry of El...

    5 min

  4. 1 DAY AGO

    South Africa’s mining constraints need urgent attention, Minerals Council tells Indaba

    South Africa's mining constraints need urgent attention, Minerals Council tells Indaba 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 mining sector remains constrained by regulatory and operational bottlenecks that need urgent attention to unlock full potential through the attraction of long-term and sustainable investment in exploration and mines. Mining and its direct suppliers support nearly 900 000 jobs and the livelihoods of 3.6-million South Africans. Mining is a powerful multiplier and growing mining grows the economy and jobs. But the way to grow the sector is through investment, which needs a globally competitive regulatory and operating environment, Minerals Council South Africa CEO Mzila Mthenjane made clear during a crucial 2026 State of the Mining Nation media briefing on day-one of the well-attended Investing in African Mining Indaba in Cape Town. The members of Minerals Council South Africa account for 90% of South Africa's annual mining turnover. The mining sector cannot improve investor confidence alone. It is only through partnerships, particularly with the government and, more specifically, the Department of Minerals and Petroleum Resources (DMPR), that a collaborative approach to creating a conducive regulator and operating environment can be created and sustained, Mthenjane emphasised. Described as "disappointing" was that the first iteration of South Africa's Mineral Resources Development Bill, which was gazetted in May 2025. The Bill, Minerals Council pointed out, did not encourage or sustain the growth and investment that the mining industry needs to enable it to realise its full potential to create employment, stimulate the economy and fulfil its social mandate. The lifeblood of mining is exploration. Without exploration, the mining sector has no future. In South Africa, exploration expenditure was R781-million in 2024, down from a peak of R6.2 billion in 2006, according to Stats SA data. "This is deeply troubling for our sector and it needs urgent attention," Minerals Council South Africa pointed out. Since May last year, the council has held talks with the DMPR on our submission regardng areas of concern for our members with the Bill. These engagements were generally constructive. We anticipate the revised Bill, which we expect to be published in coming weeks, will reflect our inputs to ensure mining attracts investment in exploration, mine development and existing operations. "We are cautiously optimistic but if the revisions mirror the first iteration of the Bill, we will continue robust engagements with the DMPR," Mthenjane outlined. Encouraging progress has been made in the business and government partnership in Operation Vulindlela under the Presidency to address three key crises that South Africa faced in 2020. Railway performance has stabilised and is showing improvement, which is important for coal, chrome, iron-ore and manganese exports. Electricity generation has improved, with the last loadshedding experienced in May 2025. Operation Vulindlela initiatives to address crime and corruption helped secure South Africa's removal from the Financial Active Task Force grey list and contributed to an S&P credit rating upgrade in the last quarter of 2025. The underlying structural reforms, particularly in electricity around the creation of a separate transmission company to own and manage the grid, to ensure the introduction of the private sector in energy generation and participation on railways and at harbours must not be delayed or changed because it will damage the green shoots of positive sentiment emerging towards South Africa. "South Africa's mineral endowment is extraordinary. With the right reforms, strong partnerships and policy certainty, we can attract investment, create jobs and build ...

    4 min

  5. 4 DAYS AGO

    Highest annual shareholder returns in Barrick history – 'with more to come'

    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. The balance sheet of New York- and Toronto-listed gold and copper mining company Barrick is in phenomenally good shape, with future capital investment programmes well-funded. Significant excess cash flow is being generated, with the last quarter of last year chalking up records across almost every financial metric, outgoing Barrick senior executive VP and CFO Graham Shuttleworth noted during his upbeat swansong presentation covered by Mining Weekly. (Also watch attached Creamer Media video.) The combination of sequential increase in production and record-high gold prices added to an already strong financial foundation and set up the company with considerable flexibility to continue delivering significant cash returns to shareholders. Infographics displayed a 45% revenue increase, driven by increased production and sales, and a 21% increase in realised gold price. Major earnings nearly doubled from the prior quarter, and reported was record quarterly cash flow, record free cash flow, record earnings per share and a record cash balance. Cash of $7.7-billion flowed from operations, $3.9-billion being free cash, which was up 71% and 194% from a year ago – another company record. These results are super impressive amid Barrick's 2025 gold sales volume being 13% lower and a key asset not operating for most of the year. Moreover, attributable capital ended 2025 below the low end of guidance owing to engineering partners coming on board in the refining of spending schedules, particularly at Barrick's biggest projects – at Reko Diq in Pakistan and Lumwana in Zambia. Graphs highlighted during the presentation displayed Barrick's earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortisation (Ebitda) increasing 53% on higher margins as the 21% gold price increase dropped to the bottom line. Importantly, the attributable Ebitda margin steadily increased through the year, tracking the gold price higher and demonstrating the operating leverage the business provides to the gold price. "All of this enabled the highest annual shareholder returns in Barrick history, with more to come," said Shuttleworth. Barrick ended the year with net cash of $2 billion. Of the $7.7-billion generation of operating cash flow, $3-billion was invested back into the business with the buyback of $1.5-billion of Barrick stock reducing the company's share count by 3%. Third-quarter results saw the base dividend being increased by 25% to $0.125 per quarter and the strong annual results prompted the board to authorise a further 40% increase. In addition, the board has determined that it will target paying out 50% of attributable free cash flow, incorporating a further discretionary component to reach the target. On that basis, the board has authorised a fourth-quarter dividend payable in March, which is up 140% on the quarter-three dividend. This new policy will replace the previous performance dividend policy and given the focus of cash returns to shareholders through increased dividends, with the board having decreed not to renew the annual share buyback programme. Production increased from last quarter to the highest level of the year, which resulted in an 82% increase in Ebitda versus last year. The base dividend was increased by another 40% and a new dividend policy adopted. Cash flow for the quarter was up 96% from last year, and a year of record annual cash returns to shareholders was logged. Preparation for an initial public offering (IPO) of Barrick's North American gold assets is moving forward. "We're targeting to complete the IPO by late 2026," new Barrick president and CEO Mark Hill told the presentation. Operational and financial achievements were, however, overshadowed by four fatalities. "Our highest priority is that al...

    5 min

  6. 4 DAYS AGO

    Martin Creamer talks about mining evolution, BHP bootcamp and gold revival

    Mining Weekly Editor Martin Creamer talks about the Minerals Council's view that South Africa’s mining industry is at a pivotal point in its evolution; BHP’s biggest-ever explorer-technology-data bootcamp being hosted in South Africa; and Joburg’s gold revival outlook strengthene

    6 min

  7. 5 DAYS AGO

    Valterra Platinum performs strongly amid sharp earnings rise expectation

    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. Platinum group metals (PGM) mining, refining and marketing company Valterra, which last week reported sharply rising earnings expectations for 2025, has delivered its strongest quarterly performance of the year in the three months to December 31. The Johannesburg- and London-listed company, headed by CEO Craig Miller, on Thursday, February 5, reported increased production across all major PGM metrics. Full-year PGM sales volumes of 3 454 300 oz were driven by higher above-guidance refined production of 3 412 000 oz. The 2026 metal-in-concentrate and refined production guidance of three-million ounces to 3.4-million ounces is consistent with prior estimates. Own-mined production increased by 1% to 594 600 oz on higher production from the Amandelbult mine, partially offset by lower production at the Mogalakwena, Unki and Mototolo mines. Toll-refined PGM production increased by 41% to 257 300 PGM ounces, primarily owing to the inclusion of Kroondal as toll-refined production from December 2024. Nickel production increased by 12% to 7 098 t, while copper production decreased by 2% to 4 413 t. Quarter-on-quarter nickel production increased by 14% and quarter-on-quarter copper production increased by 5%. Total fourth-quarter chrome production increased by 17% to 298 000 t on higher chrome production at Amandelbult and improvements in chrome yields across Valterra's own operations. Increased PGM sales volumes and realised basket price PGM sales volumes increased by 4% to 1 042 100 oz, supported by the timing of some sales rolling over from the previous quarter into October, together with higher volumes of minor PGMs sold. The average realised fourth-quarter basket price of R38 723 per PGM ounce, or $2 269 per PGM ounce, was the highest since the fourth quarter of 2022 and up 41% and 50% year-on-year respectively. All PGMs, except iridium, contributed substantial year-on-year gains, with platinum 78% higher and rhodium 70% higher. The broad-based price rally that began in May gained further momentum during the final quarter on rising investor interest in physical assets, the launch of new futures contracts in China and ongoing market tightness. The average realised full-year rand PGM basket price of R32 611 per PGM ounce increased by 22%, while the dollar PGM basket price of $1 852 per PGM ounce increased by 26% year-on-year. Valterra smelts and refines PGMs and associated co-products from its South African and Zimbabwean operations and has integrated value chain bolstered by marketing hubs in London, Singapore and Shanghai. As reported by Mining Weekly in December, Valterra's market capitalisation has sky-rocketed to north of R300-billion and the company is continuing to look for new markets into which it can invest and which can utilise its products. The utilisation of PGMs in cleaner mobility is being expanded by fuel cell electric vehicle development, battery electric vehicle advances and more recently, in technological applications such as data storage and electronic chips. Fourth-quarter production delivered the strongest quarterly performance of 2025, increasing by 10% quarter-on-quarter owing to Amandelbult's return to steady-state operations and improved output at Mogalakwena. Mogalakwena's PGM production decreased by 8% to 260 800 oz, despite higher tonnes milled, owing to a lower built-up head grade compared with the fourth quarter of 2024. On a quarter-on-quarter basis, own-mined production increased by 10%, reflecting Amandelbult's return to steady-state production for the first full quarter following the February 2025 flooding. Full-year own-mined PGM production exceeded guidance at 2 060 300 oz amid total full-year PGM production hitting the 3 200 600-oz mark. Expressed as five element ...

    10 min

  8. 6 DAYS AGO

    Critical minerals pipeline thin, greenfield exploration budgets flat

    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 mining being essential for the survival of the global economy, the mining industry's critical minerals pipeline remains thin and its greenfield exploration budgets flat. Pressure on mines to operate in a lower-margin environment remains, with industry conditions suggesting the likelihood of further consolidation among mining majors. While the need for generative exploration is acknowledged as being essential, value over volume is the mantra. Where money is available, gold and silver feature first and second on the list. Even though new discovery is mission-critical, inorganic growth remains the focus, at a time when supply chain reorganisation is accompanying political competition between major powers. These are among the many points highlighted by Seequent Segment director mining Dr Janina Elliott in an article to Mining Weekly on three mining industry trends that need watching. While the world is set on the path to electrification and digital transformation, market behaviour does not yet indicate the onset of a new super cycle focused on energy transition. Mining being treated as a strategic priority for autonomy, fast-tracking policy shifts, incentives, and public-private partnerships is creating opportunity. To satisfy stakeholders, diversified mining companies are needing fiscal and operational optimisation with a focus on existing sites against the background of investors wanting clear returns. For the foreseeable future, the current holding patterns on global investment shaped by geopolitics are likely to remain in 2026 and despite a hesitantly positive outlook, global activity does not yet bear the semblance of a super cycle. Mining needs to embrace modern technology with a greater sense of urgency and needed when choosing technology are agility and openness. Agility refers to flexible workflows and pointed out is that a modern drilling campaign takes advantage of a digital supply chain from sensor-enabled rigs, to automated core sheds, to digitally connected laboratories that create geological insight while the drills are turning. Where openness matters is with cloud-based ecosystems that enable data to flow freely across multi-disciplinary streams. Upskilling is now unequivocally critical within an environment where technology aids a modern geoscientist in the innovation of more efficient workflows. Success in 2026 will depend on disciplined growth, responsible innovation, and a renewed focus on people and sustainability, Elliott outlines in the article to Mining Weekly.

    2 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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