When hydropower was being developed for South Africa’s gold-mining industry, the industry was going through a tough time and the research organisation of the day, the Chamber of Mines Research Organisation or COMRO, ceased to function in the form that it had for 30-odd years. Had COMRO continued with its intense hydraulics research through what was such an uncertain time that it merged the research organisation with the CSIR, water power could conceivably have been playing a much bigger role than it is now.
Graphite market challenges made 2023 tough for Syrah but the future looks promising
Unforeseen graphite market developments in 2023 cast a shadow on ASX-listed Syrah’s Balama graphite project’s sales and production momentum, while highlighting the company’s strategic position in global battery anode and natural graphite markets, chairperson Jim Askew said on May 24 at the company’s AGM. The lower production from Balama, in Mozambique, along with natural graphite sales and weighted average prices in 2023, compared with 2022, were impacted by synthetic graphite capacity expansion and government policy influence on the Chinese anode customer market, inhibiting Balama from achieving its full potential, he said.
Zhaojin moves ahead with compulsory acquisition of remaining Tietto shares
ASX-listed Tietto Minerals has reported that the off-market takeover offer made by Zhaojin Capital for all of the issued shares in Tietto that Zhaojin does not already own, closed at 19:00, Sydney time, on May 14. As at Tuesday, May 14, Zhaojin had voting power of 90.72% in Tietto.
MC Mining acknowledges Goldway’s plans to buy all outstanding shares
ASX-, JSE- and Aim-listed MC Mining has acknowledged the announcement made on May 22 by investment firm Goldway Capital Investment regarding an offer to compulsorily buy out certain ordinary shares in MC Mining following Goldway’s recent off-market takeover offer. The terms of the buy-out offer mirror those of the initial takeover offer. The consideration for the buy-out offer stands at A$0.16 a share.
Municipalities, mines share the risk of tailings failures – SRK
Municipalities share the risk of tailings dam failure with mines, consulting firm SRK Consulting has pointed out, noting that the latest global standards reiterate how municipalities must play an important role in the emergency response and recovery efforts after such incidents. Local government in South Africa has a legal responsibility for any disaster in its jurisdiction, imposed by the country’s Disaster Management Act and the Disaster Management Framework.
Emmerson pleased with innovative processing method to be used at Morocco project
Aim-listed potash development company Emmerson’s main priority at this time is obtaining environmental approval for the Khemisset project, in Morocco.
The company advises that a scoping study published in February identifies a novel processing route for the project, called the Khemisset multimineral process, which reduces the site’s environmental impact.
Large Anglo shareholders are backing miner’s stance on BHP talks
Several of Anglo American’s big shareholders have said they support the company’s efforts to persuade BHP Group to change the structure of its takeover proposal or compensate for the risks it presents, before accepting any offer.
BHP has one week to convince its target of the value of its $49-billion acquisition plan, after Anglo announced on Wednesday it had rebuffed a third bid and agreed to extend a regulatory deadline. With the clock reset, discussions will center around BHP’s insistence that Anglo spin off majority stakes in South African platinum and iron ore units before the takeover can proceed.
Green hydrogen must be allowed to decarbonise optimally, Junior Indaba hears
Green hydrogen must be made cheap enough to decarbonise optimally at a time when the delay in emission reduction needs to be reversed if the world is to hit net zero by 2050. A range of factors need to be aligned relating to policy, technology, the circular economy, social buy-in and primary supply.
Speakers highlight focus areas to tackle mine water challenges
South Africa has made considerable strides in addressing mine water challenges; however, it is imperative that these efforts are bolstered and improved upon, through aligning research with implementation, ensuring that the correct processes are in place and adapting the regulatory environment to be more conducive for the reuse and management of mine water. This was highlighted by speakers participating in Creamer Media’s Mine Water webinar, held on May 22.
PGM prices impact on Tharisa’s first-half profit, but market fundamentals are ‘solid’
JSE-listed platinum group metals (PGM) and chrome producer Tharisa has reported a 20% year-on-year decrease in net profit after tax, at $38.8-million, for the six months ended March 31, compared with the $54.7-million net profit reported for the six months ended March 2023.
The group declared an interim dividend of $0.015 apiece, compared with $0.03 apiece in the prior comparable period.