The Minerals Council South Africa has reiterated the implications of the Amended Guideline for the compilation of a mandatory code of practice (COP), which was first published in July 2023. The guideline provides guidance to the mining sector employer on how to compile a mandatory COP, which would assist employers in providing suitable personal protective equipment (PPE) for women in mining (WiM) where required, and to train all employees on issues relating to PPE for WiM.
Cleaver, Newton-King join AngloGold board
Gold mining company AngloGold Ashanti has announced that former De Beers CEO Bruce Cleaver and former JSE CEO Nicky Newton-King have been appointed as independent nonexecutive directors with effect from July 22. Cleaver, who has commercial and mining experience, will serve as a member of the Audit and Risk Committee and the Social, Ethics and Sustainability Committee and Newton-King will serve as a member of the Compensation and Human Resources Committee and the Social, Ethics and Sustainability Committee.
Uasa, Petra Diamonds sign five-year wage agreement for Cullinan mine
Trade union Uasa has signed a five-year wage agreement with the management of the Cullinan mine, which is owned by London-listed Petra Diamonds.
The agreement is effective from July 1 this year to July 1, 2028, stipulating a 5.5% or consumer price inflation (CPI) increase for entry level, or C lower, employees for the first three years and a 6% increase in years four and five.
GoviEx hones in on Zambia project following Niger licence challenge
TSX-V-listed GoviEx Uranium says that, while it plans to fight for its rights at the Madaouela project, in Niger, the difficulties faced in that country present it with a unique opportunity to concentrate its efforts on its Muntanga project, in Zambia. The company reiterates that it was, nearly two weeks ago, informed by the Nigerien government that it no longer has rights over the perimeter of the mining permit for its Madaouela project, which reverted back to the public domain.
Critical Mineral Resources acquires project in Morocco
Exploration and development company Critical Mineral Resources (CMR), which is focused on critical metals and minerals, has signed an exclusive option to acquire the Igli project, a high-grade silver/ copper project in the Anti-Atlas, in Morocco, which has returned grades of up to 912 g/t silver and 2.97% copper. Concurrently, the company has also raised £750 000 through the issue of a convertible loan note (CLN) to fund the company’s working capital and capital expenditure requirements, including for exploration programmes at Igli.
Petra Diamonds focusing on refinancing $250-million loan notes
Having reset its cost base, delivering new life-of-mine (LoM) plans with a smooth capital profile, the focus of Petra Diamonds is very much on refinancing its $250-million loan notes. “We plan to get that done before the end of this calendar year,” Petra Diamonds CEO Richard Duffy outlined to Mining Weekly in a Zoom interview. (Also watch attached Creamer Media video.)
Kenmare on track to achieve full-year guidance
Titanium and zircon producer Kenmare Resources has confirmed in a July 17 trading update for the quarter and half-year ended June 30, that it is on track to achieve its full-year guidance on all stated metrics. Kenmare operates the Moma titanium minerals mine in northern Mozambique.
Gold holds at record high as rate cut bets fuel demand rush
Gold hit another record as traders placed stronger bets on Federal Reserve rate cuts this year and weighed an uncertain outlook for US politics.
Bullion advanced in Asia hours to touch an all-time high of $2 475.81 an ounce on Tuesday, following a 1.9% jump in the previous session. Gold has rallied this month as traders pile into bets for earlier, deeper rate cuts from the Fed amid increasing signs that inflation is cooling toward the central bank’s target. Lower borrowing costs tend to benefit the metal as it yields no interest.
Rio Tinto picks energy exec as new copper chief
Diversified mining group Rio Tinto has appointed Katie Jackson to lead its copper business, succeeding Bold Baatar, who is set to become COO later this year. Jackson is currently president of National Grid Ventures, responsible for the development and operation of large-scale energy infrastructure assets.
BHP posts second straight year of record iron-ore production, beats estimates
BHP Group on Wednesday reported record annual iron-ore production for a second consecutive year, helped by improved weather conditions and higher contribution from its South Flank operations in Western Australia.
The world’s largest listed miner beat analyst expectations for both its quarterly iron-ore and copper production in its production report.