South Africa: Mixed Fortunes for Newly Listed Miners in Tough Market
TURBULENT market conditions delivered a beating to the seven new mining companies listed on the JSE last year, with coal companies the most resilient and platinum companies hit the hardest.
Mozambique: Graphite Production to Resume, Governor Confirms
The Governor of the northern Mozambican province of Cabo Delgado, Eliseu Machava, has confirmed that the graphite mine in the district of Ancuabe, paralysed for the last ten years, will resume production in mid-2009.
South Africa: Platinum Price Surge 'Likely to Be Short Term'
PLATINUM companies' share prices surged on the JSE on Friday as the platinum price moved to its highest level in two-and-a-half months following g ood news and technical factors.
Zimbabwe: Global Metal Prices Expected to Firm
LOCAL mining companies which have been battling to keep afloat due to the challenges in the economy and falling metal prices might have some relief this year as international metal prices are expected to rise in the short-term.
Rwanda: Cassiterite Still Dominating Mineral Exports
An electric arc smelter for one of the mining operators in western province.
Zimbabwe: Zimplats Seeks Funds for Ngezi Expansion
ZIMPLATS is battling to secure funding for its Ngezi Phase 1 Expansion Project ahead of its completion soon.
Africa: Public-Private Partners Bolster Geosciences Training in Africa
Beneath the surface of Earth's second-largest continent is a wealth of minerals, petroleum, water and geothermal energy. African scientists are working to develop and manage this vast resource, but more scientists are needed to strengthen the work force in Africa's natural-resource sector and drive economic growth.
Mozambique: Swiss Company Wins Tender to Exploit Ancuabe Graphite Mines
The Swiss company Timcal Graphite & Carbon has been awarded the contract for the exploitation of Ancuabe graphite mines, in the northern province of Cabo Delgado.
Africa: Public-Private Partners Bolster Geosciences Training
Beneath the surface of Earth's second-largest continent is a wealth of minerals, petroleum, water and geothermal energy. African scientists are working to develop and manage this vast resource, but more scientists are needed to strengthen the work force in Africa's natural-resource sector and drive economic growth.
Guinea: Junta Warns Mining Sector
The leader of Guinea's coup has said contracts for the country's vital mining industry will be reviewed and pledged to stamp out corruption. Without naming firms, Capt Moussa Dadis Camara told a public meeting in Conakry that any contracts found to be "defective" would be revised. Capt Camara took power after the death of President Lansana Conte last week Monday.
Nigeria: Alison-Madueke Pledges to Reposition Mines & Steel Sector
New Minister of Mines and Steel Development, Deziani Alison Madueke, has pledged to work towards repositioning the mines and steel sector for it to yield as much economic value to the nation as the petroleum sector.
Uganda: Gold Mining to Start in Kyenjojo
THE Ministry of Energy and Mineral Development, Daudi Migereko, has licensed a company to explore gold in Rugombe, Kyenjojo District.
Nigeria: NEPC Seeks Market for Solid Minerals
In an effort to open up the international market for Nigeria's solid minerals, the Nigerian Export Promotion Council, NEPC has made overtures to South African authorities with regards to further exposing Nigerian miners to the core of mining in the South African mining industry.
Botswana: The Year Air Botswana Stayed On Terra Firma
2008 was an eventful year that was characterised by events and failures that altered the economy of this country. New words such as load shedding, credit crunch and sightholders dominated business pages. Mmegi Staff Writer WANETSHA MOSINYI looks at some of these:
South Africa: Gold Fields 'To Meet Second-Quarter Target' As Production Increases
GOLD Fields, one of the world's largest unhedged producers of gold, said yesterday it was on track to meet its second-quarter target.
Zimbabwe: 'Life Used to Be Good Here, But What You See Now is Misery'
Peterson Daiton, a mining engineer now based in Botswana, last visited Bindura Nickel Mine, about 85km northeast of Zimbabwe's capital, Harare, nine years ago, when it was a thriving concern. "It is shocking; the mine has become a ghost of its former self," he told IRIN.
Botswana: De Beers Retrenches As African Operations Slowdown
In line with De Beers' decision to scale down, the company's African operations are starting to reduce production. In South Africa, Namibia and Botswana staff levels have been reduced, most on early holiday leave some of whom are not expected to return.
South Africa: Hard Facts
THE speed at which the mining sector has gone from boom to bust since September is making it difficult for workers to accept the necessity for slashing new projects and jobs.
South Africa: Harmony R1 Billion Closer to Clear Pile of Debt
HARMONY Gold Mining has taken the first step to clearing its books of debt after raising almost R1bn through a share issue, paving the way for a possible acquisition in mid-2009.
Botswana: African Copper Needs $15 Million to Stay Afloat
African Copper announced Tuesday that it is proposing to seek authority from shareholders to issue up to 750,000,000 new ordinary shares as the company desperately needs US$15 million (P116.6 million) before January 15 to meet its immediate working capital needs.
Botswana: Govt Should Stay Firm On Diamond Move
We commend the Ministry of Education for undertaking a fact finding mission to Malaysia where three Batswana students perished under very tragic circumstances.
Botswana: The Diamond Hub
The idea of a Botswana Diamond Centre was first conceived as far back as 2002. But it was not until this year that a Botswana Diamond Hub was eventually established with long time Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Minerals, Energy and Water Resources, Dr Akolang Tombale appointed as the coordinator of the diamond hub.
South Africa: Gold Rises On the Global Oil Flood
LOWER petrol prices have provided motorists with unexpected Christmas bonuses, enticing them towards holiday destinations. As streams of cars headed out of Gauteng, a traffic cop remarked that he hadn't seen such volume for several years.
South Africa: Petra Diamonds Cuts Exploration Budget By $20 Million
MINING and exploration company Petra Diamonds is cutting $20m from its annual diamond exploration budget, mostly by reducing its activities in Angola.
South Africa: Argentina Looks to SA for Its Mining Know-How
A DRIVE by Argentina to grow its mining sector could create opportunities for SA which has experience in mining technology development and safety, says that country's chamber of mines.
Zimbabwe: BNC Posts U.S.$18 Million Loss
POOR international prices and the difficult mining conditions in the country are taking their toll on Bindura Nickel Corporation Limited (BNC), the principal asset in Mwana Africa Plc's portfolio, with results for the six months ending September 30 2008 showing a loss after tax of US$18,8 million.
Botswana: African Diamonds Takes Over De Beers Exploration JVS
Junior diamond miner, African Diamonds, says it has taken full ownership of its exploration activities in Botswana, buying out the portion of the projects owned by its joint-venture partner De Beers.
Liberia: U.S.$2.6 Billion Investment for Bong Mines
Barely a week following the arrival of Seaboard Corporation with an initial investment of US30million, another company has arrived in the country with a huge investment package.
Zimbabwe: Global Civic Groups Call for Suspension of Diamonds
INTERNATIONAL civic organisations have demanded the immediate suspension of all locally extracted diamonds from the Kimberley Process Certification Scheme (KPCS) after citing a government crackdown that has reportedly claimed the lives of at least 50 illegal diamond diggers at Chiadzwa, Manicaland.
Nigeria: Minister Wants Mines, Steel as Mainstay of Nation's Economy
Following dwindling fortunes of the oil and gas sector, the new Minister of Mines and Steel Development, Diezani Allison Madueke has expressed her determination to turn around the mines and steel to be the mainstay of the nation's economy.