Dr Muhammad Ahsan Mahboob, head of the Digital Mining Laboratory (DigiMine) at Wits University, was awarded his PhD in engineering from the School of Mining Engineering, Wits University, in a celebratory ceremony held at the Wits Great Hall on July 8. Mahboob’s PhD thesis: “A Data Science Framework for Mineral Resource Exploration and Estimation Using Remote Sensing and Machine Learning”, merges data science, satellite imagery and machine learning with the aim to revolutionise mineral exploration.
Caledonia reports robust production at Blanket mine in June quarter
Gold miner Caledonia Mining Corporation has produced 20 773 oz of gold at its Blanket mine, in Zimbabwe, during the quarter ended June 30. This is a 19% increase on the 17 436 oz produced at the mine in the second quarter of 2023.
Transnet monitoring port operations as inclement weather continues
State-owned Transnet has said it continues to monitor operations at its Cape Town, Saldanha Bay, Port Elizabeth and Ngqura ports amid adverse weather conditions along the country’s coast. Strong winds reaching 35 to 50 knots and high sea swells exceeding 3.5 m led to shipping movements being suspended at some ports for safety reasons, it said late on Tuesday.
AECI to sell Animal Health business as it shifts focus to core competencies
Mining explosives and chemicals company AECI has signed an agreement for the sale of its Animal Health business, as a going concern, to Nutreco International, whose South African subsidiary is Trouw Nutrition South Africa. “This strategic move aligns with our recently announced strategy to streamline operations and focus on our core competencies, ensuring continuous growth and value creation for our stakeholders. Nutreco is recognised worldwide for its commitment to excellence and innovation, making it the right home for the Animal Health business and our people,” says AECI.
Looming wave of iron-ore supply threatens $100 price floor
Iron-ore prices are likely to stay in three digits for the rest of 2024, insulated to a large degree from China’s faltering economy by cost support that kicks in at around $100 a ton. But that could change from next year as a wave of cheap supply starts to build in West Africa, lowering the industry’s average costs and forcing prices to better reflect the long-term decline of China’s steel industry, the biggest consumer of iron-ore.
Diamcor closes final tranch of offering, bringing total to C$2m
Diamond producer Diamcor Mining has closed a second and final tranche of C$600 300 of its previously announced non-brokered private placement, bringing the total of the offering to about C$2-million. The company previously announced the close of a first tranche of the offering for gross proceeds totalling about C$1.4-million on June 4. Existing insiders, management and directors and larger shareholders subscribed for an aggregate of about $1.37-million of the offering.
Kumba appoints new independent nonexecutive director
Diversified mining major Anglo American’s Kumba Iron Ore subsidiary has announced the appointment of Neo Violet Mokhesi as an independent nonexecutive director with effect from July 1. She will also serve as a member of the audit committee, the social, ethics and transformation committee and the safety, health and sustainable development committee.
Universities adapt to develop mining skills
Amid various conversations on the importance of technology in African mining, a panel discussion at this year’s London Indaba titled ‘Is asset management the key to unlocking growth for mining in Africa?’ focused on the importance of asset management in the sector. During the discussion, Wits Mining Institute and Faculty of Engineering and the Built Environment director Professor Glen Nwaila highlighted the role the university was playing in ensuring students were equipped with the necessary skills to meet industry demands.
Anyone can now invest in as little as R10 worth of gold
Gold-backed neobank Troygold, supported by payments platform Precium, has launched its subscription gold offering in South Africa, enabling investors to buy and own fractional amounts of real 1 oz gold Krugerrands, which are securely stored in Johannesburg vaults with London Bullion Market Association-approved custodian Brink’s ensuring security and authenticity. Buying gold in small increments will make gold investment more accessible and affordable to all, with the minimum investment being as little as R10. Investors can even set up daily, weekly or monthly contributions to put savings on autopilot.
Renewables component of DRC gold mine’s energy mix to hit 85% next year
The reputation of the large Kibali gold mine, run by Barrick Gold in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), is being significantly enhanced by its far-reaching contribution to the development and upkeep of key infrastructure, the building of a vibrant local socio-economy, protection of the environment, restoration of game in national parks, and even the revitalisation of an attention-catching coffee cultivation opportunity. Three hydropower stations have put Kibali in the green energy drive lead, with more than 80% of the mine’s power provided by renewable energy sources, which will be further increased by an upcoming solar power plant. Generated is 40.16 MW of power at an average cost of 0.100 $/kWh.