Zambia’s annual copper production will grow more than 40% to one-million tons in 2027, according to the country’s Finance Ministry. Africa’s second-largest copper producer is seeking to take advantage of what many predict will be a supply shortfall in the coming years, as the energy transition causes rising demand for the metal from electric vehicles to wind farms.
PGMs helping to lay greener global foundation, demerging Anglo Platinum highlights
Despite the current low-price cycle, the critical role that platinum group metals (PGMs) play in helping to form a foundation for cleaner greener world remains indisputable, Anglo American Platinum CEO Craig Miller highlighted at the company’s presentation of solid half-year results on its journey towards demerging from the Anglo American group. “Our market development efforts help ensure that our products have a sustainable and positive impact on the world. We’re leveraging capabilities through these activities and capturing value from the adjacent value chains while diversifying sources of future PGM demand,” added Miller, who expects Anglo Platinum to be a separate primarily Johannesburg-listed mining and marketing company by the end of next year. (Also watch attached Creamer Media video.)
China, South Africa still driving chrome supply globally
In unpacking production and export figures for chrome and ferrochrome in 2023 and the first quarter of this year, the International Chromium Development Association (ICDA) has confirmed that China and South Africa continue to drive the chromium market. ICDA senior market research analyst Tanya Atalay says these markets have shown resilience amid the global economic slowdown.
De Beers’ Jhb rough diamond sorting, sales building receives green star rating
Diamond miner De Beers’ new rough diamond sorting, valuation and sales building Sky Park, in Johannesburg, has received a five-star interior green rating and two four-star green building ratings from the Green Building Council of South Africa (GBCSA). The ratings were awarded for the sustainable design elements proposed and approved by the GBCSA, as well as the ‘As-Build’ rating that evaluates the use of green and sustainable materials during the construction phase. The waste, water, and power management strategies implemented during construction were also recognised as part of these awards.
URA reports improved recovery rate at Gravelotte; readies for first trial emerald sale
London-listed gemstone miner URA Holdings will hold its first trial emerald sale for gemstones recovered from its Gravelotte mine, in South Africa, later this year. The company reports in an update to shareholders that it has achieved early production targets at the mine, which started phased production on April 29.
Solidarity concludes wage agreement with Assmang
After three months of negotiations, labour union Solidarity has reached a five-year wage agreement for members employed by Assmang. This agreement was concluded in collaboration with the National Union of Mineworkers (NUM).
Orion announces last call for shareholders to participate in SPP
ASX- and JSE-listed Orion Minerals has reminded shareholders based in Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, Germany, the Netherlands, Jersey, the UK, Mauritius and Singapore to buy shares under a share purchase plan (SPP) before the offer closes on July 23.
Eligible shareholders include those that held Orion shares as of June 28.
South32’s South African manganese, aluminium operations deliver solid output
Diversified miner South32’s South African manganese operations produced 2.18-million tonnes of manganese in the 2024 financial year, ended June 30, higher than the 2.11-million tonnes produced in the 2023 financial year, and above the two-million tonnes the group had expected to produce. Group subsidiary Samancor Manganese in June entered entered into a binding agreement for the sale of the Metalloys manganese alloy smelter, in Gauteng, to Khwelamet, an entity jointly owned by Menar and Ntiso Investing Holdings.
We’re looking forward to being PGM leader as a standalone entity – Anglo Platinum
Platinum group metals (PGM) mining and marketing company, the Johannesburg Stock Exchange primary-listed Anglo American Platinum, highlighted on Monday that it is working to deliver a responsible and orderly separation from the secondarily-listed Anglo American by the end of next year. “Our management team and independent board is already working alongside a dedicated team with Anglo American to achieve this,” Anglo Platinum CEO Craig Miller outlined.
With no recovery in sight, lithium prices force miners to reevaluate output
With lithium prices languishing near three-year lows and showing no signs a recovery is coming, attention is now turning to whether miners will be forced to rein in supply of the battery metal.
The price of the material that’s vital to the energy transition has plunged by around 80% since late 2022, and Benchmark Mineral Intelligence sees the current glut deepening through 2027. While some smaller producers have already cut output, the question now is whether the bigger firms will choose to shutter mines and delay projects from Australia to Chile.