Loucas Pouroulis bows out 15-year stint at Tharisa
THARISA founder Loucas Pouroulis is stepping down from the board after more than 15 years as chair, handing the role to lead independent director Carol Bell. Pouroulis, who has…
Burkina Faso joins Africa’s gold refining drive
BURKINA Faso has opened its first gold refinery as it seeks to process more of its mineral wealth at home, Bloomberg reported. State-controlled Raffinor BF, built for $19m, can…
Copper retreats from near-record high as rate fears lift dollar
INDUSTRIAL metals fell on Wednesday as traders weighed the outlook for US interest rates against shifting oil prices, Bloomberg reported. Copper retreated from near-record levels…
Congo plans one-stop mining investment agency
THE Democratic Republic of Congo is setting up a centralised agency to fast-track major mining investments, said Reuters citing sources. The agency is part of reforms tied to its…
Discovery targets mining with 24-hour renewables plan
DISCOVERY Green has signed several mining companies to a renewable power offering that targets 90% of their electricity needs. A mix of wind, solar and batteries can help meet…
MPRD in 2026: A maze of mineral policy
It is a cliché of effective industrial policy that developing an industry works best if there is “policy certainty”. It is also one of those clichés that becomes a cliché because…
West lags China on sodium battery tech
THE West has fallen behind China in developing sodium-ion batteries, a breakthrough technology using saltwater rather than lithium, industry experts have told the Financial…
US steps back into Niger with $414m uranium deal
THE US government has approved up to $414m in financing for a uranium project in Niger, Reuters reported. The move comes two years after Niger expelled US forces from the…
Ivory Coast plans gold refinery start in 2027
IVORY COAST plans to start operating a gold refinery in the first half of 2027 as it seeks to expand local processing and become Africa’s largest gold producer by 2035, Bloomberg…
Expensive yes, but $300m bond takes Tharisa to next step
UNTIL Northam Platinum unveiled plans last month to grow production by 50%, its smaller counterpart, Tharisa, was something of a rarity in the platinum group metals (PGM)…
Europe risks missing out on gallium boom
EUROPE could miss out on a critical high-tech metal even though it is set to produce enough to meet its own needs, said the Financial Times citing London-listed energy company…
Glencore in talks with Guinea on alumina, energy
GUINEA is in talks with Glencore over possible investments in alumina refining and energy after the two sides struck a bauxite deal last week, Reuters reported. State-owned Nimba…
Former Anglo boss Cutifani joins Northern Star
AUSTRALIA’S Northern Star Resources has appointed former Anglo American CEO Mark Cutifani to its board, Bloomberg reported. Cutifani and mining engineer Peter Rozenauers will…
Three years of giving junior mining a voice
On 12 September 2023, a significant new chapter was written in South Africa’s mining industry at the Johannesburg Stock Exchange (JSE). The launch of the Junior Mining Council…
Aussies advance Namibia uranium projects
TWO Australian mining companies, Bannerman Energy and Deep Yellow, are pushing ahead with major uranium projects in Namibia, joining Chinese firms already active there as…
Report warns of Russian dominance in uranium supply
RUSSIA’S share of global uranium mining capacity could climb above a third by 2040, a level of dominance that risks compromising the energy security of western nations as demand…
What resource nationalism means for Africa’s miners
Governments across Africa are seeking to assert greater control over their mineral wealth by rewriting mining codes, demanding larger equity stakes or greater local…
Can this lowly priced uranium project make big bucks?
A largely unknown mining junior listed on the London Stock Exchange – Neo Energy Metals, whose current share price is less than 1 pence – is on the point of finalising a deal…
Mining cost inflation eases in July, but energy risks linger
SOUTH African mining input cost inflation slowed in July, but high fuel and other energy-linked costs still weighed on the sector. The Minerals Council South Africa said its…
Pula appeals ruling in $195m Motsepe Tanzania case
PULA Group has appealed a Tanzanian court ruling that struck its $195m damages claim against billionaire Patrice Motsepe and companies linked to him off the roll, Bloomberg…