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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. 23 min ago

    Mine hydropower extolled at Minerals Council climate event

    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. By converting excess water pressure into renewable electricity, emissions are reduced, energy efficiency is uplifted and additional value is created from existing mining infrastructure, Harmony Gold strategic lead for climate and integration Mohammed Asmaljee spelt out emphatically at the launch Minerals Council South Africa's inaugural Climate Change Day of Learning, attended by public sector and private sector climate mitigation protagonists. By capturing pressure from chilled water used in underground mining, the Johannesburg Stock Exchange-listed Harmony generates renewable electricity amid the water that travels thousands of metres underground building up pressure naturally for conversion into electricity through hydroelectric turbines. Importantly, this process recovers energy from existing mine infrastructure without additional water consumption. Such energy recovery systems are deployed at Harmony's underground Kusasalethu, Moab Khotsong and Mponeng gold mines, with water continuing through the mine reticulation network ensuring uninterrupted operational use after passing through the turbines. Four Pelton wheel turbines, for example, are supplying electricity directly to Kusasalethu, where a multi-phase hydropower rehabilitation programme has been implemented to improve reliability, performance and monitoring. A Pelton wheel turbine, a type of impulse water turbine invented by Lester Allan Pelton in the 1870s, converts the kinetic energy of moving water into mechanical and electrical power. Seventy gigawatt hours of renewable electricity have been generated since financial year 2024 and 73 000 t of CO2-equivalent (CO₂e) Scope 2 emissions have been avoided, which has improved energy efficiency by recovering otherwise wasted pressure energy. Water temperatures have also been reduced by 1 °C, which has uplifted underground cooling efficiency and lowered cooling demand. "For us, decarbonisation is fundamentally a business challenge. How do we continue to grow our business in both gold and copper while still reducing our emissions," is the question Asmaljee posed, within the context of South Africa advancing towards net zero greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions under the auspices of the Paris Agreement – a stance being taken ahead of COP31, the thirty-first United Nations Climate Change Conference, which is taking place this month in Antalya, Türkiye, from November 9 to 20. "It affects how we think about energy, costs, competitiveness, regulation, and ultimately the long-term resilience of our operations. We are learning as we navigate this complex transition," Asmaljee explained at the event covered by Mining Weekly. Harmony's carbon challenge is driven largely by Scope 2 emissions from electricity bought from State-owned power utility Eskom, and this is a common challenge for deep-level mining in South Africa, where significant electricity is needed for ventilation, cooling, pumping, hoisting, and processing. Though Harmony's Scope 1 emissions are considerably smaller, there are still tremendous opportunities to reduce them through diesel efficiency and other fossil fuel efficiency projects, improved fleet performance, and future electrification. Business growth and portfolio expansion are also influencing the overall emissions of the gold and copper mining company, which owns CSA Copper and Eva Copper in Australia, assets that increase the company's exposure to the critical minerals needed for the green energy transition. Emphasis was placed on growth and decarbonisation needing to happen together. The challenge is to grow while progressively reducing GHG emissions. Up to 2026, Harmony's emissions have remained relatively stable, but from here on, the emissions trajectory is poised to decrease...

  2. 25 min ago

    Sunrise Energy to proceed with New South Wales scandium project

    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 Sunrise Energy Metals, which is led by chairperson Robert Friedland and and CEO Sam Riggall, has decided to proceed with the development of the Syerston scandium project, in New South Wales, Australia. The defining feature of this project, the company highlights, is its potential to become the world's first major source of primary mine supply of scandium, thereby establishing a new, scalable and reliable source of production for global end-users. "Our decision to proceed with development of the Syerston scandium project follows extensive technical development, engineering, permitting and commercial engagement, and reflects the board's confidence in the quality of the Syerston resource and the significant market opportunity ahead of us," Friedland says. Sunrise notes that, since the imposition of Chinese critical minerals exports in 2025, scandium supply to key Western markets has "all but ceased". The company adds that its decision to proceed with the development of Syerston represents a significant step towards establishing a secure, large-scale and independent source of scandium supply outside of China, positioning Sunrise to support the development of new technologies and increasingly diversified Western critical mineral supply chains. "Scandium has long been recognised for its exceptional properties and potential across a range of advanced technologies, but its adoption has been constrained by the absence of reliable, scalable supply. "Syerston has the potential to fundamentally change that dynamic by delivering a secure, long-term and primary source of high-purity scadium to global markets," Friedland says. This project is expected to process 64 000 t/y of ore to produce 60 000 t/y of high-purity scandium oxide. The project boasts a high-grade ore deposit, efficient extraction and processing technology proven through extensive pilot testing, a 32-year mine life providing production stability and a good strategic location in New South Wales that provides established infrastructure. The company also highlights that procurement readiness has progressed significantly, with key long-lead equipment packages advanced through tender evaluation and supplier selection processes. Engineering and procurement for this project's water infrastructure has also advanced, including the completion of the State 2 pipeline design, the preparation of construction drawings and the procurement of critical equipment. Sunrise's positive final investment decision has been supported by the conditional commitment of up to $400-million in long-term debt financing from the US Department of War's Office of Strategic Capital and, as of September 30, the company also has $148.1-million in available cash on hand. The company is targeting first production of scandium in the second half of 2028.

  3. 2 days ago

    Climate action and growth need to reinforce each other, Minerals Council event hears

    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. Climate considerations are increasingly shaping how business is done, Minerals Council South Africa senior climate specialist Shalendra Subramoney said on Friday, October 30, in launching the council's inaugural Climate Change Day of Learning, attended by public and private sector climate mitigation representatives. "Mining is central to both South Africa's development and the global climate transition. We need to reduce emissions and strengthen resilience while attracting the investment needed to grow a competitive mining sector, sustain and create jobs, support communities, and bolster South Africa's economic development. Climate ambition and economic growth must reinforce each other," Minerals Council senior executive: environment, health, legacies and employment relations Shamini Harrington stated in the keynote address. Mining is an energy-intensive industry with a responsibility to manage and reduce our own emissions and build resilience to the physical impacts of climate change. "At the same time, mining produces the minerals and metals on which electrification, renewable energy, infrastructure and technological development depend. Mining therefore has a dual role - we are part of the transition ourselves, but we are also fundamental to enabling it. That dual role matters significantly for South Africa. "Our country has significant development needs, an urgent requirement for stronger economic growth and investment, and a need for reliable and affordable energy, water and logistics. Mining remains deeply embedded in that economy. In 2025, the sector employed more than 470 000 people, contributed more than R439-billion to GDP and paid R31-billion in taxes," Harrington added. Attendees ranging from established mining companies to junior miners as well as exploration companies, which he described as being very important owing to climate change affecting every part of the mining ecosystem. Even though the challenges and opportunities would differ across companies and commodities, Subramoney pointed out how everyone in their day-to-day work environment was experiencing the way in which climate considerations were increasingly shaping how business was done, as well as influencing investment, competitiveness and market access,. "But we must also recognise that it is also opening opportunities in new technologies, minerals, and green value chains. For South African mining in particular, this discussion on climate change comes at a time when we urgently need investment and growth in the sector to arrest some of the performance declines we've been seeing over the past few years, to strengthen our existing operations and to unlock new opportunities. "It's because of this," – and Mining Weekly as an attendee heard this theme echoed quite strongly throughout event – "that we believe that climate action and growth need to reinforce each other, because a growing investable mining industry is much more better able to decarbonise, to build resilience, and to innovate," Subramoney explained. "While credible climate action increasingly matters to competitiveness and market access, it's also important to note that mining sits on both sides of the transition. "We, as a sector, need to continue reducing our emissions and strengthening the resilience of our operations as well as our host communities – and we need to do this while supplying the minerals and metals that the world needs to enable the transition and we also need to acknowledge the continued role of coal in energy security and in driving industrial activity in South Africa." The Minerals Council's formal launch of 2026 Climate Change Position forcefully reaffirmed its commitment to move into implementation amid the Department of Forestry Fisheries...

  4. 3 days ago

    Spain's Abenojar Tungsten makes London market debut in biggest mining IPO since 2018

    This audio is brought to you by Endress and Hauser, a leading supplier of products, solutions and services for industrial process measurement and automation. Spanish miner Abenojar Tungsten made its official market debut on the LSE's main market on Friday, marking the largest mining flotation by funds raised in London since 2018. Unconditional dealings in the shares, trading under the ticker "ABT," began on Friday, following conditional trading that started when the IPO was priced at 110p a share on Tuesday. The shares opened marginally higher on Friday and were last up 5.9% at 108 pence as of 0827 GMT. The company raised €170-million ($190.4-million) in the biggest mining IPO since Kazakh uranium producer Kazatomprom's £311-million ($417.11-million) listing of Global Depository Receipts in London in 2018. With a market capitalisation of £522 million, Abenojar is on the verge of entering the FTSE 250 index, where the number of miners has risen to five. Abenojar is developing the El Moto project in Abenójar, Spain, one of the largest and highest-grade undeveloped tungsten projects in the world. BMO Capital Markets and Peel Hunt acted as joint sponsors and joint global coordinators, alongside Deutsche Bank, with Canaccord Genuity as a joint bookrunner.

  5. 3 days ago

    Martin Creamer talks about: Inflation impacts, new futures contracts and Southern Palladium

    Mining Weekly Editor Martin Creamer discusses the impact of September inflation on South African mining; platinum and palladium being among four precious metals included in new futures contracts launched in London; and Southern Palladium’s feasibility study on its PGMS project.

  6. 3 days ago

    Customers reaffirm increased 2027 demand for Implats' products

    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. Annual contractual negotiations with core customers has reaffirmed increased 2027 demand for the sustainable and responsible supply of all the precious and base metal products of Implats, CEO Nico Muller made clear on Thursday, October 29, when the company published its first-quarter production report. While pricing volatility increased during the period, Muller pointed to Implats' robust platinum group metals (PGM) basket price remaining fully supportive of the continued delivery of the Johannesburg Stock Exchange-listed company's strategic aspirations. In the three months to September 30, PGM pricing continued to be heavily influenced by global macroeconomic news flow, with minor metals outperforming both platinum and palladium. First-quarter production volumes decreased by 3% to 854 000 oz. Managed ventures recorded a 4%-lower 665 000 oz, joint ventures (JVs) a 4%-lower 133 000 oz, and third parties an 8%-higher 56 000 oz. Gross refined and saleable production volumes declined 8% to 763 000 oz, while sales volumes were 6% lower at 796 000 oz. The company was deeply saddened to report the loss of five colleagues during the period, with four of the fatal incidents occurring at Impala Rustenburg and one at Marula. Rail-bound equipment, sulphur dioxide exposure, winches and rigging and fall-of-ground-related risks were fatality-linked. Technology-enabled controls form an important component of the response while additional work is underway to strengthen automated risk monitoring, exception reporting and critical control verification through electronic risk management and safety systems. "Safe production is a non-negotiable and underpins both sustainable operations and value delivery," Muller stated in a release to Mining Weekly. The company is expected to benefit from improved operational resilience and remains on track to deliver previously communicated operational, cost and capital expenditure guidance in financial year 2027. During the quarter, six element (6E) tonnes milled at managed operations retracted by 5% to 6.77-million tonnes and 6E production volumes declined by 3% to 854 000 oz. Production at Zimplats in Zimbabwe benefitted from improved equipment availability, while volumes at Impala Canada were broadly stable. At Impala Rustenburg, milled grade rose marginally to 3.75 g/t on higher grade and declined by 4% overall at managed operations to 665 000 oz. Concentrate production from the Mimosa and Two Rivers JVs declined by 4% to 133 000 oz, while third-party 6E concentrate deliveries to Impala Refining Services increased by 8% to 56 000 oz. Refined 6E production, which includes saleable ounces from Impala Canada and Impala Rustenburg's North Shafts, retraced by 8% to 763 000 oz while 6E refined production from South African processing assets declined by 8% to 605 000 oz. Annual processing maintenance and stock counts were completed on schedule in July, however smelting rates in August were negatively impacted by the fatality at Mineral Processing. In total 135 000 6E oz of smelter throughput was deferred in the period, with the impact on refined production expected between September and November. Owing to both scheduled maintenance and reduced smelter output, excess 6E inventory increased by 95 000 oz from the end of financial year 2026 to 395 000 oz at the end of the period. Sales volumes decreased by 6% to 796 000 oz. At Impala Refining Services, mine-to-market 6E receipts from Zimplats and Marula improved by 1% to 196 000 oz on improved deliveries from Zimplats. Impala Refining Services' receipts from JV operations decreased by 7% to 143 000 oz, while third-party 6E receipts improved by 8% to 56 000 oz. Refined 6E production improved by 6% to 392 000 oz on the allocation of proce...

  7. 4 days ago

    Governments should not pick critical minerals winners, mining financiers say

    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. Governments should not choose which critical minerals projects get funding, and instead should invest in shared infrastructure to allow the best projects to move forward, financiers said at a mining conference in Sydney this week. Financiers consider the quality of mine projects, management teams, the cost to develop, extract and deliver ore when prices are high, but also when they are low, which is a highly specialised skill set, they said. If mines don't meet strict criteria, when commodity cycles change, they will struggle to stay solvent, adding more expense to the-billions in government funding that is flowing into critical minerals, they said at the IMARC mining conference in Sydney. Western governments are spending-billions on support for mining projects in a rush to diversify supplies of critical minerals which are now dominated by China. Such minerals are niche metals like rare earths essential to products ranging from cars and aircraft to electronics and weapons systems. "No one wants government picking winners," said Edward Rigg, executive chairperson of project financier Argonaut. "It is fair to say that the skill set of picking winners is not a skill which is held in government," he added. Instead, what markets need is a mechanism that offers price support, or a tax break, or multi-user infrastructure as the fairest form of support, he said. "I know there are people from various governments here, which won't like that, but that's a reality. That's a realism of the capital markets," he said. Rigg was speaking at the IMARC mining conference which was attended by large trade delegations from the EU, US and other nations. Australia has earmarked at least A$13-billion ($9.2-billion) to support critical minerals development across at least five programmes including its own reserve. The European Union has proposed spending €10-billion ($11.2-billion) in coming years, a portion of which will flow into Australia, the bloc's ambassador to Australia, Lawrence Meredith, said on Tuesday. Mark Kristoff, CEO of commodity trade house Traxys which also finances critical minerals projects, said governments' role was shoring up water and power infrastructure, roads and transport, as well as offering debt as a long-term project finance option. "I think it does get tricky when you start to pick national champions and put underlying price support for products," he said. "At the end of the day, a project has to make economic sense through the cycle, and it needs the right characteristics in terms of grade, metallurgy, and production." One European trade official said on condition of anonymity that his government was not picking winners but instead was guided on which projects to invest in by the country's industrial companies. The companies would be the ones to assess if a mine could deliver the ore quality that would meet their technical requirements. It's a little unfair to judge public servants for choosing projects to support when governments must make difficult decisions against the backdrop of election cycles that fall under a much shorter time frame than the 15 years it typically takes to develop a mine, said Paulo Castellari, CEO for critical minerals at London-based private equity firm Appian Capital Advisory. That is why co-investment of public money with specialist mining private equity firms makes sense, he added.

  8. 5 days ago

    Uranium poised for long-term structural deficit as AI boom spurs unprecedented nuclear demand

    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. With nuclear reactor builds currently outpacing new uranium mine supply and the rapid growth of AI and data centres is reinforcing the need for large-scale baseload power, uranium's investment case does not rest on sentiment, finds Canadian uranium explorer Purecore in an investor report. Drawing on insights from International Energy Agency (IEA), International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), US Energy Information Administration (EIA), Sprott Asset Management and Cameco Corporation, Purecore highlights a timing imbalance between the rapid development of AI infrastructure and the longer development timelines associated with new uranium mines. World Nuclear Association says a primary uranium supply deficit of 335-million pounds by 2040 is possible, even if mine production more than triples form current levels. One of the forces driving that demand is AI, with AI-related power demand in the US alone expected to approach 200 GW by 2033. Purecore says technology companies Microsoft, Amazon, Google and Meta have each taken direct action to secure or support nuclear power as part of their long-term energy strategies. IEA predicts that data centre electricity consumption could reach 950 TWh/y by 2030, with IAEA expecting new global nuclear power generation projects being installed through 2060. Purecore cites Sprott's industry scenarios indicating cumulative uranium supply deficits of between 700-million pounds to 1.7-billion pounds of triuranium octoxide, or uranium yellowcake, through 2040. EIA predicts 183-million pounds of unfilled uranium requirements for US utilities between 2026 and 2035. According to IAEA, about 413 nuclear reactors were operating globally at the end of 2025, representing 377.1 GW of electrical generating capacity. Under the agency's high-growth scenario, global nuclear generating capacity could increase to 1 045 GW by 2050 and further to 1 284 GW by 2060, which would be more than three times the 2025 operating capacity. World Nuclear Association says global uranium production is currently concentrated in Kazakhstan, accounting for 40% of global uranium mine production. Kazatomprom, Kazakhstan's national uranium company and the world's largest uranium producer, believes its attributable production represented 20% of global primary uranium production in 2025. Overall, more than 70% of global uranium production is concentrated in four countries - Kazakhstan, Canada, Namibia and Australia. "The world's largest technology companies are increasingly looking toward nuclear energy as a source of reliable, around-the-clock power capable of supporting the scale and performance requirements of next-generation data centres. "Understanding the relationship between nuclear expansion, uranium supply and long-term electricity demand is fundamental to understanding why Purecore is building its portfolio around uranium and other critical minerals," says Purecore president and CEO Peter Berdusco, adding that AI data centres can be built in three to five years, nuclear reactors in five to ten but greenfield uranium mines take ten to fifteen years, with conventional exploration success rates remaining below 1%, marking the slowest part of the nuclear power growth cycle. Purecore owns the Yurchison uranium property in Saskatchewan and the Bankier property in British Columbia, but continues to pursue an acquisition- and exploration-focused strategy targeting uranium and copper opportunities in prospective mining jurisdictions. Berdusco says uranium's investment case does not rest on sentiment but on fundamentals and that Purecore's strategy is build around this structural shift. "We believe the companies positioned for the next era of energy will be those that recognise where long-term demand is headi...

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