Northam Platinum’s ‘mine without end’ exposes SA’s supply crisis
NORTHAM Platinum CEO Paul Dunne might joke that “there’s no luck in mining”, but fortune has certainly favoured his company in the past few months. For starters, resource…
Blackrock keen on M&A between major miners
BLACKROCK supports further mergers among large mining companies, arguing that greater scale would attract generalist investors and unlock the capital needed to develop the…
Investors turn to gold, not bonds, as Iran war widens
INVESTORS have shifted towards gold and the US dollar rather than government bonds as anxiety over an inflation shock from the conflict in Iran intensifies, said the Financial…
Central banks the force behind record gold rally, says report
CENTRAL banks have emerged as the driving force behind gold’s record-breaking bull market, accumulating roughly 80 tons monthly worth approximately $8.5bn at current prices,…
Singapore’s Abaxx Exchange to launch new gold contract
SINGAPORE-based startup Abaxx Exchange is launching a new physical gold contract next month, seeking to challenge London and New York’s grip on the global bullion market…
UK to unlock financing for critical minerals supply
THE UK will for the first time provide financing for manufacturers who import critical minerals, said the Financial Times. The measure will be in Chancellor Rachel Reeves’ Budget…
Can the West break China’s chokehold over critical minerals?
A COALITION of 14 nations and the European Commission last month unveiled the Minerals Security Partnership (MSP), a financing network aimed at breaking China’s chokehold on…
Kabanga Nickel in spotlight as West forms minerals coalition
THE US government is due to unveil financing for the Kabanga Nickel, a project in Tanzania in which BHP has a 17% stake. The commitment is part of the Minerals Security…
‘I tend to run towards danger’ – Cockerill
At an age – 69 year – where many would be looking to slow down and ease into retirement Ian Cockerill has taken on the full-time, challenging role of running mid-tier West…
Coal’s evergreen allure hard for investors to ignore
The pendulum has swung back to coal. Look no further than Glencore which is reconsidering retaining its coal production instead of demerging and separately listing the business,…
Why Glencore could change its mind on coal demerger
FOR confirmation thermal coal is back on the investment radar, look no further than a letter written to Glencore by Sydney-based Tribeca Investment Partners in March, asking…
Blackrock pushed Anglo to extend BHP takeover talks – FT
BLACKROCK was the most prominent of several Anglo American shareholders that pushed the miner to extend talks with BHP over its proposed £38bn takeover proposal. Last week Anglo…
Glencore said to be weighing up Anglo bid options
GLENCORE was said to be preparing to enter an offer for Anglo American – a development that, if true, could set off a bidding war with BHP. Reuters reported that Glencore had…
Griffith draws comfort from investors ahead of October’s Yamana takeover vote
GOLD Fields CEO, Chris Griffith said he drew comfort ahead of an important vote on the firm’s proposed takeover of Yamana Gold next month because its top investors had not sold…
Volkswagen to enter mining businesses in effort to secure battery metals
VOLKSWAGEN aimed to enter the mining business in Canada to ensure its raw material supply for battery production, said Reuters citing comments made by a board member for the…
Europe’s coal grab raises uncomfortable questions about energy transition
GRAHAM Kerr has no regrets about taking South32 out of thermal coal last year. Despite the meteoric price rise for the fuel following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine – which has…
BHP retains coal business as miners, investors take nuanced view of decarbonisation
BHP’S announcement on Thursday it would retain its New South Wales Energy Coal (NSWEC) business has provided further evidence of a shift in attitudes to decarbonisation,…
Commodity prices may be high for decades, says BlackRock’s Hambro
INVESTORS were not yet fully aware of the importance of mining companies to global decarbonisation which may see commodity prices remain high for decades, said Bloomberg News…
Investors stunned by SA Govt’s plan to have Council for Geosciences lead exploration drive
SOUTH Africa’s current account is expected to remain in surplus in 2022 – news that will warm the heart of finance minister, Enoch Godongwana ahead of his Medium Term Budget…
Botswana coal miner urges Transnet to reconsider Waterberg rail expansion plans
SOUTH Africa’s state-owned freight company, Transnet has been urged to review a decision this year ditching the expansion of a rail link which would have opened up a new route to…